justnorth posted on February 14, 2007 06:23 :: 1509 Views
The proposed expansion of a street in Superior to improve safety and access to Superior High School could result in the incidental taking of a rare plant, under an incidental take authorization the state Department of Natural Resources is proposing to approve for the project.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the City of Superior are proposing to expand 28th Street in Superior, including construction of a median and turning lanes, that would be done in conjunction with improvements at the high school, including a parking lot and stormwater retention basin.
The project is located both north and south of existing 28th Street from Hill Avenue to just beyond Catlin Avenue, and on the Superior High School campus in the City of Superior.
Plant surveys and habitat assessments conducted in 2005 along the road corridor and within the project area for the proposed parking lot and stormwater pond found seaside crowfoot (Ranunculus cymbalaria), a state threatened plant, between the right-of way of the existing 28th Street and Spartan Drive (a road within the High School campus). Also found was Vasey’s rush (Juncus vaseyi) a state special concern species.
Although other state or federally listed plant species occur in the surrounding area, no other listed species were found within the project impact area. The proposed project will result in the loss of one population of the seaside crowfoot within the project impact area. Habitat in the surrounding area will be restored to preconstruction conditions and may provide suitable habitat for this species in the future.
DNR staff determined that efforts were made to minimize impacts to the species; the taking is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the seaside crowfoot within the state, or the whole plant-animal community of which it is a part; and the action has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.
Copies of the jeopardy assessment and conservation measures are available on the Incidental Take page of the DNR Web site or upon request from the Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707. Public comments will be taken through March 13, 2007 and should be sent to the address above.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisie Kitchel, DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources - (608) 266-5248
Article Source:
http://justnorth.com/Articles/tabid/105/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/12/justnorth.aspx