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III. Environmental Setting, Impacts,and Mitigations F. Vegetation and Wildlife listed as rare,endangered,or threatened;are Category 1 or 2 candidates for federal listing; are considered Species of Special Concern as designated by the California Department of Fish and Game;or are on lists IA, 1B,or 2 published by the California Native Plant Society. A project would also be considered to have a significant impact if it would result in a substantial loss of important plant or animal species; would cause a change in species composition, abundance or diversity beyond that of normal variability;or would directly or indirectly result in the measurable degradation of sensitive habitats(e.g.,wetlands). Impacts to a particular biological feature would also be considered significant if the resource is subject to Corps'permit requirements under Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act and/or provides valuable wildlife habitat, such as potential habitat for special status plant or animal species. Impacts are generally considered not significant if the habitats and species affected are common and widespread in the region and the State. Summary of Potential Impacts Based on information provided by the CNDDB,CNPS,CDFG,local agencies,and ESA's field reconnaissance,the proposed project site provides known foraging habitat for the Swainson's hawk and northern harrier, and potential foraging habitat for the mountain plover,California horned lark,and northern loggerhead shrike. The Swainson's hawk has also been observed nesting on the site. The proposed project site also supports thirty-two valley oaks,a CNPS List 4 species. No evidence of other special-status species was detected on-site,and available habitat was not judged suitable. The proposed site also contains features(4.6 acres in areal extent) which may qualify as waters of the U.S. and may,therefore,require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and California Department of Fish and Game. Based on proposed project plans,the proposed project would include conversion of the CYA property to a borrow area,leachate facility area,and composting/facilties'equipment area. The Brocchini property would be used for landfilling,with the exception of the northeastermost corner,which would be retained as a wildlife preserve(5.3 acres) and floodplain area(5.0 acres). The triangular property would also be used as a floodplain area(6.5 acres). The project would also include realignment of approximately 6,500 lineal feet of Little Johns Creek from between the existing landfill and Brocchini property to between the existing landfill and the CYA property,and then along the western landfill boundary where the Creek would connect with its current course. Drainage A(shown in Figure III.F.1)would not be affected by the proposed project(R.W. Beck and Associates, 1992). HI.F.20