Incidental Take Notice for Racine County

MADISON, Wis. – A Wisconsin Department of Transportation bridge replacement project in Racine may result in the “incidental taking” of a rare snake under an authorization the Department of Natural Resources proposes to issue for the project. Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the overall population of the species at risk.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s proposed project consists of replacing the existing historic structure at the West 6^th Street Bridge in Racine and upgrading the roadway approaches on either side to match the new structure. The existing structure has two-spans that cross Horlick Park Drive and the Root River. The bridge is eligible for the National Register as a distinctive and intact example of an open-spandrel concrete arch bridge.

The proposed replacement structure will be a two-span bridge with aesthetic enhancements to commemorate the historic nature of the existing bridge. Horlick Park Drive will be reconstructed under the new bridge.

The presence of the state endangered Queensnake (Regina septemvittata) has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes.

Department staff concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the species by adhering to conservation measures and 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.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.