Madison Reporter

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced a proposal to issue a permit for the incidental taking of the state-endangered Blanchard’s cricket frog during maintenance projects on Xcel Energy's W3434 and W3458 transmission lines in Trempealeau County. The work is scheduled from January through March 2026 and will take place along a 12-mile stretch between the Marshland Substation and the Galesville Substation.

Xcel Energy plans to install new static wire containing optical ground wire (OPGW) and replace 28 structures along existing rights-of-way. The project will require temporary work areas, pads, access roads, and one laydown yard, but no expansion or realignment of the corridor is planned.

According to DNR staff, "the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some frogs." However, they determined that these activities are not likely to significantly affect the survival or recovery of Blanchard’s cricket frog within Wisconsin or harm its critical habitat. "The 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 will be included in any permit issued to minimize negative impacts on this endangered species. More information about this assessment and background on Blanchard’s cricket frog can be found by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or by contacting DNR Conservation Biologist Stacy Rowe at Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-9796.

The public may submit written comments about potential impacts related to this project until November 1, 2025. Comments should be sent to Stacy Rowe at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2514 Morse St., Janesville, WI 53545, via email at Stacy.Rowe@wisconsin.gov, or by phone at 608-228-9796.