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become the standard reference on California's rare and endangered plants. Plants listed by CNPS on Lists IA, 1B,or 2 but not officially listed by the State nevertheless receive recognition under CEQA; that is,impacts to these CNPS-listed species are considered to be.significant. (Refer to Table D-1 for CNPS listing categories.) In addition to the protected species designations listed in Table D-1,the CDFG has developed a list of"Species of Special Concern." These species are defined as having California breeding populations which are of special concern in that they may face extinction within the State in the near future. By so listing a species,the CDFG draws attention to the potential for future designations of such species to a more protected status. INFORMATION CONCERNING PERMIT OF INCIDENTAL TAKE Because habitat for listed species occurs within the project area activities associated with project development must be accomplished in a manner that legally complies with provisions of the Federal Endangered Species Act. Thus,to the extent practical,corridor allignment and construction should be located to avoid habitat of the listed endangered or threatened species or areas of their actual or potential habitat. Similarly,it would be preferable to avoid impacts to candidate taxa, although these taxa do not enjoy the same legal protection as endangered or threatened taxa. Section 9 of the Federal Endangered Species Act prohibits"take"of an endangered or threatened species or its habitat. In this case loss of individuals of listed species or their habitat could be interpreted as"take"of these species. Ideally, all potential habitat within the project corridor should be protected from construction activities to avoid illegal "take". Also,after construction activities are completed,it will be important to ensure that remaining habitats are not accidentally i destroyed during routine maintenance of the roadway or by other activities associated with this ■ project. Pursuant to provisions of the Endangered Species Act,legal take of listed species and their habitat may be allowed either via a Section 7 consultation if there is involvement by a Federal agency in the project(for example U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)or via the Section 10(a) permit for"incidental take"if there is no Federal agency involvement. The Section 10(a)permit is contingent upon the approval by the USFWS of a habitat conservation plan(HCP)for the affected area. The affected area is generally a significant portion of the threatened species range,