The Dyke Avenue Underground Electric Rebuild may result in the “incidental taking” of a rare lizard under a permit 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.
Alliant Energy’s project involves rebuilding the existing single-phase overhead line along Dyke Ave between 7th Court and 8th Road. The overhead line will be rebuilt as single-phase underground electric line in conduit. Construction method will be hydraulic directional drilling; approximately 20 temporary bore pits will be installed to facilitate the project. Approximately 1,800 feet of the underground cable will be installed on the south side of Dyke Ave from the east end of the project. The remaining cable will be installed on the north side of the road.
The presence of the state endangered slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) 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 lizards.
Department staff concluded that the proposed project is not likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival or recovery of the species within the state, the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part or the habitat that is critical to its existence.
The conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Permit. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the slender glass lizard are available by searching the DNR website for incidental take public notice or upon request from Stacy Rowe (608-266-7012 or stacy.rowe@wi.gov). The department is requesting comments from the public through August 28, 2018 regarding project-related impacts to the slender glass lizard. Public comments should be sent to Stacy Rowe, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 or stacy.rowe@wi.gov.