Thursday, July 9, 2009

It's Not Too Late To Help The Monarchs


It appears the DOT, who had been threatening the Monarch Trail with their insistence on screwing up the zoo interchange, might be hearing us.

From WauwatosaNOW.com:

Residents also are voicing opinions about the project. Barb Agnew, chairwoman of the Friends of the Monarch Trail advisory board, is joining others in stating concern that the upgraded interchange will encroach on part of the County Grounds used by migrating birds and butterflies.

Agnew, a Wauwatosa florist, said the land's elevation and proximity to convergent waterways make it one of a few spots in the region where traveling monarch butterflies can rest while moving between Canada and Mexico.

"It can't be moved," she said of the habitat, and asked, "How many can we destroy before they can no longer successfully migrate?"

Carrie Cooper, an environmental planner for the DOT, is working to minimize the project's impact on the habitat.

Cooper said the planned upgrades to the interchange definitely will harm at least the southern part of the butterfly habitat but should leave the northern portion intact. Agnew and Cooper agreed this northern area is most important. In the hopes of offsetting any lost habitat, Cooper said, project designers will add native plantings favored by the butterflies.

Agnew said she's pleased the DOT is willing to cooperate.

"I am hopeful that they can be creative enough in their designing that they can either avoid (damaging the habitat) altogether, or minimize the impact they (do) have," she said.

The article goes on to say that the DOT will continue to accept emails and postal mail on the matter until July 13. That is Monday, people. So take a few minutes before going to Bastille Days or whatever your outdoor plans are and whip off a quick message to the DOT to leave the Monarch trail alone.

Comments should be submitted to:

Jim Lipstack, project manager
Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Southeast Region
141 N.W. Barstow St.
Waukesha, WI 53187

dotdtsdsezoo@dot.state.wi.us

4 comments:

  1. Umm, I am no expert on Monarchs, and I do think they have a worthy cause, but if Monarch's land is taken away, you don't think the Monarchs will adapt? Maybe go a different way or do you think they will become extinct?

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  2. I don't think the entire species would go extinct, but a large part of the population would die off because they lose a valuable resting/breeding area.

    Monarchs are rather particular and this area is perfect for their preferences.

    Not only that, but the whole region is losing a valuable asset.

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  3. The comment period has been extended to Aug. 10. More time to think about the destruction WisDOT wants to inflict on the west side.

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  4. Thank you for the reminder, G.

    I was reminded of the later date today, but was unable to change it, obviously because I was working.

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