The construction of a natural gas pipeline in Sheboygan County may result in the “incidental taking” of three types of birds that are listed as state threatened species, under an authorization the state Department of Natural Resources is proposing 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.

The Guardian II Sheboygan Lateral Pipeline Project is being constructed by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) in Sheboygan County. The majority of the 31-mile pipeline is within a regularly maintained transmission line right-of-way (ROW). Approximately 3.3 miles of the route passes through the Kettle Moraine State Forest and approximately 2.2 miles passes through the Silver Spring/Mill Creek Streambank Easement area.

Based on surveys completed in 2007, DNR staff have determined that Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea), and hooded warbler (Wilsoniac citrina) are present in the project area.

Pipeline construction will consist of various activities completed sequentially beginning with vegetation clearing, trench excavation, pipe-laying, backfilling the trench, stabilization, restoration, and finally, testing of the pipeline.

Vegetation clearing was completed in the pipeline ROW early in 2008 to eliminate the possibility that birds would nest in the ROW. However, human noise and other disturbance in the ROW can interfere with or prevent a bird’s ability to successfully incubate eggs, to feed young, or to defend the nest from predators in nesting territories adjacent to the ROW. Therefore, the department determined that the project may still result in the incidental taking of some birds.

A DNR review concluded that the project will minimize the impacts to the birds by adhering to conservation measures that include species surveys and long-term management of vegetation in the ROW to benefit wildlife. The project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of these birds or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part.

The conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the threatened species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the conservation measures, background information on the species, and the jeopardy assessment are available upon request from Rori Paloski, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 264-6040. Public comments will be taken through June 12, 2008 and should be sent to Rori Paloski at the above address.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Rori Paloski, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 608/264-6040