DNR Issues Incidental Take Notice for Jackson County

Thursday, June 25th, 2026 -- 9:01 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to issue an authorization for the incidental taking of a rare snake, which may result from the Townline Flowage project in Jackson County.  

Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species' overall population at risk. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources proposes to replace four water control structures on the Townline Flowage.

There are currently three intermediate half-moon water control structures and one main full-moon control structure. The intermediate control structures will be replaced with similar or greater capacity culverts and the main water control structure will be replaced with a half-moon structure with greater draining capacity.

The presence of the state endangered eastern massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization and are detailed in the Jeopardy Assessment. They include conducting work outside of the snake’s breeding season and having a biologist on site during project activities.

The presence of the state endangered and federally threatened Eastern Massasauga is confirmed in the vicinity of the project site. DNR staff determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes. This authorization would cover any incidental take for the state listing and would not cover any incidental take for the federal listing.

The 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.

Copies of the Jeopardy Assessment and background information on the eastern massasauga are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR Conservation Biologist Rori Paloski at 608-264-6040 or [email protected].

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to the eastern massasauga by July 7, 2026 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Rori Paloski, DNR Conservation Biologist
101 S. Webster St. Madison, WI 53707
[email protected] or 608-264-6040

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.