Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced its intention to issue a permit that would allow for the incidental taking of Blanchard’s cricket frog, a rare species listed as endangered in the state. The potential impact on the frog stems from Xcel Energy’s maintenance project on the W3411 Line in La Crosse County.

Xcel Energy plans to upgrade its existing single-circuit W3411 transmission line, which stretches about 27 miles from the Monroe County Substation to structure 26 near the La Crosse Substation. The work involves installing new static wire with optical ground wire and replacing selected structures along the route. The project is divided into three phases, but only Phase 3 overlaps with known habitat for Blanchard’s cricket frog. This phase covers an area from the West Salem substation to structure 29 near the La Crosse substation and is scheduled between January and March 2026.

The DNR confirmed that Blanchard’s cricket frog is present in areas affected by Phase 3 of this project. After reviewing the proposal, DNR staff determined that some frogs may be unintentionally harmed during construction activities.

According to the DNR, “The Wisconsin 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.”

Incidental take refers to unintended harm or loss of individuals from an endangered or threatened species due to otherwise lawful activities, provided these actions do not threaten overall populations. In this case, conservation measures are planned as part of the permit process to reduce adverse effects on Blanchard’s cricket frog.

The DNR will incorporate these protective steps into its final Incidental Take Permit. Interested members of the public can access further details about both the jeopardy assessment and background information on Blanchard’s cricket frog via the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or by contacting Rori Paloski, a conservation biologist at Wisconsin DNR.

Written comments regarding how this project may affect Blanchard’s cricket frog are invited until August 31, 2025. Comments can be sent by mail or email directly to Rori Paloski at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707, or at Rori.Paloski@wisconsin.gov.

This process allows for public input before any final decision is made about granting Xcel Energy permission for incidental take related to their infrastructure improvements in La Crosse County.