Incidental Take Notice For Columbia 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 IH39/90/94 Phase 1 and 2 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 Wisconsin Department of Transportation proposes to replace and expand the Interstate 39/90/94 (I39/90/94) Bridge where it crosses the Wisconsin River with two new bridges, which will shift the footprint of the bridge slightly to the east (upstream).

This will require constructing a new westbound bridge to the east of the existing bridge, removing the existing bridge and constructing a new eastbound bridge in place of the existing bridge. The project entails removing the 11 sets of concrete piers (eight of which are in the water) and reinstalling 24 new concrete piers (16 are in the water). For design, planning and construction purposes, this project has been separated into four phases.

The presence of the state-endangered Starhead Topminnow is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. 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 Starhead Topminnow are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Stacy Rowe at Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-9796.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the Starhead Topminnow by Oct. 9, 2024, to:

Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
2514 Morse St.
Janesville, WI 53545
Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-9796