Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced its intention to issue a permit allowing for the incidental take of the eastern ribbonsnake, a species listed as endangered in the state. The proposed permit is connected to the WPS Park Entrance Drive Electric Project, which will be carried out in Door County.

Incidental take refers to unintentional harm or loss of individual animals or plants that are endangered or threatened, provided this does not jeopardize the overall population of the species.

The project is being led by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS), which is part of WEC Energy Group. Plans include abandoning nearly 1,790 feet of underground electric lines and removing existing overhead electric lines across country. In addition, WPS will install about 2,311 feet of new underground electric cable to continue providing electric service to Peninsula State Park.

The area where work will take place consists mainly of fresh meadow wetlands within the utility right-of-way and forested wetlands outside it. According to project details, removal of overhead lines will use small utility vehicles such as UTVs or ATVs along established access routes and right-of-ways. Any void left by removed facilities will be filled with clean gravel. The installation work is scheduled for October.

Surveys confirm that eastern ribbonsnakes are present near the site where construction activities are planned. DNR staff have determined that these activities may result in one or more snakes being unintentionally harmed or killed.

According to the Wisconsin DNR: "The Wisconsin DNR concludes 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 of or the habitat that is critical to its existence."

Conservation measures designed to limit negative effects on this endangered snake species will be included in any Incidental Take Permit issued for this project. Additional information about both the jeopardy assessment and background on eastern ribbonsnakes can be found at the DNR’s Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or by contacting Stacy Rowe, a conservation biologist at DNR, via email at Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or phone at 608-228-9796.

Public comments regarding how this project might impact eastern ribbonsnakes are being accepted until September 21, 2025. Written comments should be sent to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

c/o Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist

2514 Morse St.

Janesville, WI 53545

Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-9796

This process allows members of the public an opportunity to express concerns about potential impacts on rare wildlife as infrastructure projects move forward in sensitive habitats.