Record of Decision for Issuance of an Endangered Species Permit To Allow Incidental Take of the Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly in Wisconsin

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Notice is hereby given that the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has decided to issue a permit to allow incidental take of the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) within the State of Wisconsin. The permit is issued under the authority of section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), for a duration of 10 years. Issuance of this permit allows for implementation of the Statewide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Karner Blue Butterfly in Wisconsin. Alternative A, as analyzed by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), allows for implementation of a consolidated, statewide plan designed to conserve butterfly habitat while carrying out otherwise lawful land use activities on public and private lands. The lead applicant is the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In addition, 25 Partners to the HCP will work together to implement this plan. This decision is based upon information and analysis found in the HCP, Implementing Agreement, Partner Species and Habitat Conservation Agreements, EIS, and comments from the public on the HCP/EIS. This Record of Decision was prepared in accordance with the Council on Environmental Qu