Incidental Take Notice For Iowa County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare frog, which may result from the Twin Valley Lake Boat Launch Renovation Project at Governor Dodge State Park in Iowa 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.

Governor Dodge State Park proposes to replace the existing concrete boat launch ramp and boarding dock at Twin Valley Lake. The proposed project will improve the accessibility of the boat access facility and provide a safer and more efficient experience for users of the site. The project includes demolition of the existing launch, construction of a new two-lane launch, relocation of the launch docks and pavement repair and repaving as necessary in the approach and parking lot. This project will also reconfigure the launch and parking lot to improve accessibility and provide an accessible kayak launch.

The presence of the state endangered Blanchard’s cricket frog is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some frogs.

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 Blanchard’s cricket frog are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski at 608-516-3742 or Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the Blanchard’s cricket frog by Jan. 14, 2024 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 608-516-3742