The primary regulations pertaining to transportation projects as they relate to threatened or endangered species are Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), and 16 U.S.C. 662, Section 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (as amended). For projects where our actions may affect T&E species or an otherwise sensitive biological resource, the Federal Highway Administration and MoDOT must address issues raised by agency and public interaction. The FHWA and MoDOT must coordinate with the Fish and Wildlife Service on any action likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any federally listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. Interaction with resource and regulatory agencies is particularly important early in project development. Since resource and regulatory agencies' priorities have shifted to the protection of a species' habitat rather than to the species itself, it is essential to show that all actions of the FHWA and the State of Missouri have included appropriate consideration and protection of T&E species or other sensitive natural resources. This new approach does not preclude the analysis of impacts to specific species but broadens the evaluation criteria to consider potential impacts to wetlands, streams, floodplains, prairies, and other such "native" Missouri habitats. Many of MoDOT's federal-aid highway projects require Clean Water Act Section 404 permits from the Army Corps of Engineers. Early and continued coordination regarding potential impacts to T&E and other sensitive biological resources is imperative to address issues that may affect the issuance of permits in these cases. Fish and wildlife issues that are not satisfactorily resolved during a project's environmental study phase will undoubtedly arise again during review of the Section 404 and/or U.S. Coast Guard permit application. For more information on federal threatened and endangered species: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service For information on Missouri's sensitive biological resources: Missouri Department of Conservation