Incidental Take Notice For Juneau County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare lizard, which may result from the Buckhorn State Park reconstruction project in Juneau 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, maintain and resurface several roadways and parking lots in Buckhorn State Park. Proposed repairs include pulverizing the existing asphalt roadway, replacing culverts and repairing ditches as necessary, installing a new asphalt roadway, striping and restoration. Conservation measures for this project are detailed in the Jeopardy Assessment and include having a monitor on site, conducting the work during the active season and searching for and removing all animals to areas of suitable habitat outside of the project area.

The presence of the state endangered slender glass lizard is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some lizards.

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 slender glass lizard are available on the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR conservation biologists Rori Paloski (Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742) or Melissa Tumbleson (Melissa.Tumbleson@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0862).

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the slender glass lizard by Nov. 13, 2025, to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Rori Paloski or Melissa Tumbleson, DNR Conservation Biologist
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53707
Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov or 608-516-3742
Melissa.Tumbleson@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0862

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.