Enbridge is restricted from conducting work directly in water bodies, or in-stream work, during fish spawning seasons.
Waterway crossings with restrictions March 1-June 15
Waterway crossings with restrictions September 15-May 15
Download the table for all waterways with time restrictions in one LARGE table here
To report violations contact WIDNR.
HDD activities are allowed, the rationale being that they are conducted beneath the water bodies However, temporary bridges associated with HDD sites are not allowed since they are considered to have in-stream impacts. The following tables can serve as a resource for monitoring construction acvitity at waterbody crossings during the two periods that represent fish spawning seasons. Viewing these tables can be confusing, especially on mobile devices — however if you print them out and have them handy in your vehicle, they can help immensely while monitoring once you learn to identify the locations of the water bodies based on latitude and longitude and/or on signage present at the locations.
More info:
https://widnr.widen.net/s/j9qdpk8tml/final_enbridge_l5r_ch30_ch.281_permit_decision
WDNR Wetland and Waterway Crossing Permit Condition 129: To minimize adverse impacts on fish movement, fish spawning, and egg incubation periods, the placement and removal of TCSBs and any in-water work shall not occur during the time periods listed in Permit Table 1 (attached), unless waived or modified in writing by the Department’s regional Fisheries Biologist. The timing restrictions only apply to waterways that have standing or flowing water at the time that the regulated activity occurs.
WDNR Wetland and Waterway Crossing Permit Condition 130: Prior to commencing in-water activities, you shall monitor for changes to water levels and/or flows to avoid working during high flows. You shall not begin in-water work within 24 hours of forecasted rain events exceeding ½ inch and all in-water work and restoration shall be completed prior to any such event.
WDNR Wetland and Waterway Crossing Permit Condition 131: You shall not install temporary bridges or conduct in-water work during periods of high water levels or flooding if the water level or flooding could overwhelm the proposed crossing or construction techniques.
Mid April-Mid August: Bird and bat breeding occurs and causes various state-wide restrictions on tree cutting. It is unclear to us what restrictions might be enforceable. At this time our understanding is that there are no WDNR protections that prevent tree cutting unless an active roost has been observed. An active roost site would likely lead to an area (maybe a couple hundred feet diameter) around the tree where logging would not be allowed perhaps until June or October (depending on which bat). We hope to have more info on this soon.