Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.

Assembly Member Wilson's legislation creates a framework for the Department of Fish and Wildlife to authorize limited impacts on four fully protected species during construction of the State Route 37 improvement project between Sonoma and Solano Counties. The bill establishes specific conditions under which the department may permit incidental take of the salt-marsh harvest mouse, California Ridgway's rail, California black rail, and white-tailed kite along the project corridor from Lakeville Highway to Sacramento Street.

The authorization process requires project developers to implement department-approved monitoring programs and adaptive management plans to assess and minimize species impacts. Permits must incorporate conservation measures that maximize impact avoidance and satisfy existing statutory standards for species protection. The department retains authority to modify permit conditions based on monitoring results.

While creating this targeted authorization, the bill maintains broader protections for fully protected species under California law. Project developers must pay standard permit application fees and comply with all other applicable environmental requirements. The legislation also preserves the department's existing notification procedures, requiring public notice and a 30-day comment period before permit decisions.