Incidental Take Notice For Waukesha County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare fish, which may result from the U.S. 18 over the Bark River – Structure Replacement project. 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 Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is proposing to mill and resurface, with all work to be contained within the existing shoulder, along U.S. 18 from the west Waukesha County line to State Highway 67. No grading, culvert work or right-of-way acquisition is anticipated. This project also includes three structure replacements: 

• B-67-0025 – S. 18 over the Bark River
• B-67-0026 – S. 18 over the Bark River
• B-67-0027 – S. 18 over the Bark River

The presence of the state endangered slender madtom is confirmed in the vicinity of these structures. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some fish.

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.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the slender madtom are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Stacy Rowe at 608-228-9796 or stacy.rowe@wi.gov.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the slender madtom by Sept. 16, 2022 to:

Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe
101 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53707
stacy.rowe@wi.gov or 608-228-9796