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EGG HARBOR, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources proposed issuing a permit for the incidental taking of of the eastern ribbonsnake, which could result from the White Cliff Road electric project in the village of Egg Harbor. An incidental take refers to any unintended harm, harassment, or killing of an endangered plant or animal due to some other legal activity as long as it doesn’t put the overall population at risk.
Wisconsin Public Service is proposing to replace 20 overhead electric poles and associated lines in Egg Harbor. The project includes the replacement of four poles within or near suitable wetland habitats. Total disturbances are 40 square feet of temporary impact. WPS plans to replace the poles within the same holes as the current poles, or directly adjacent to their current locations. If the existing holes can’t be reused, the holes will be filled with dirt and allowed to revegetate.
The DNR confirmed the presence of the state endangered eastern ribbonsnake within the vicinity of the project, and that the proposed pole replacement may cause the incidental taking of some snakes.
However, the DNR concludes the proposed project likely won’t appreciably reduce the eastern ribbonsnake’s survival or recovery in Wisconsin, nor the habitat it lives in.
Conservation efforts to minimize the adverse effect on the eastern ribbonsnake will be detailed in the proposed incidental take permit and is currently detailed in the jeopardy assessment.
Some conservation measures planned include having a permitted environmental monitor onsite, and if snakes are found, safely relocating them to a suitable habitat outside the project area.
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