Incidental Take Notice for Columbia County
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare snake, which may result from the Caledonia Dike Repairs project in Columbia County.
Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species’ overall population at risk.
The DNR proposes to repair the Caledonia Dikes at two locations where deficiencies were observed during the DNR’s regularly scheduled spring inspections. The repairs are necessary to maintain the integrity of the dike structures.
The presence of the state endangered eastern massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes
Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization and are detailed in the Jeopardy Assessment. They include avoiding work during critical times of the year for the snake (e.g., breeding season, overwintering period), having a biologist on site to search for snakes and using a camera to look inside holes before before work begins.
The presence of the state endangered and federally threatened eastern massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes. This permit would cover any incidental take for the state listing and would not cover any incidental take for the federal listing.
The DNR concludes that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the species by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of the species or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.
Copies of the Jeopardy Assessment and background information on the eastern massasauga are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski at 608-264-6040 or Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the eastern massasauga by August 13, 2026 to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Rori Paloski, DNR Conservation Biologist
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53707
Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-264-6040
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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