Relevance

Disturbance-free zones protect important sites that are used by special interest species by restricting habitat manipulations or other activities that would degrade the condition of habitat within the site. The zones are areas where activities that would disturb the species are minimized. The disturbance-free zones include a 0.5-mile radius buffer around bald eagle nests and a 0.25-mile radius buffer around osprey, golden eagle, and peregrine falcon nests. Goshawk disturbance-free zones include both a 0.25-mile circular buffer and the most suitable 500 acres of habitat surrounding the nest site. Specific areas are mapped for wintering bald eagle, mule deer, and waterfowl. A disturbance-free zone also applies to mapped areas of waterfowl habitat, but this management standard is evaluated separately in combination with the numerical standard for waterfowl. These special interest species receive protection because they are locally important due to their rarity and/or exceptional public interest for wildlife viewing.

Human and Environmental Drivers

Disturbance-free zones protect important sites that are used by special interest species by restricting habitat manipulations or other activities that would degrade the condition of habitat within the site. The zones are areas where activities that would disturb the species are minimized. The disturbance-free zones include a 0.5-mile radius buffer around bald eagle nests and a 0.25-mile radius buffer around osprey, golden eagle, and peregrine falcon nests. Goshawk disturbance-free zones include both a 0.25-mile circular buffer and the most suitable 500 acres of habitat surrounding the nest site. Specific areas are mapped for wintering bald eagle, mule deer, and waterfowl. A disturbance-free zone also applies to mapped areas of waterfowl habitat, but this management standard is evaluated separately in combination with the numerical standard for waterfowl. These special interest species receive protection because they are locally important due to their rarity and/or exceptional public interest for wildlife viewing.

Transportation Indicators

• Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquired
• Acres of Forest Fuels Reduction Treatment
• Acres of Habitat Protected
• Acres of Habitat Restored or Enhanced
• Acres of SEZ Restored or Enhanced
• Parcels Inspected for Defensible Space
• Special Status Species Sites Protected or Re-Established
• Tons of Greenhouse Gases Reduced

Management Status Rationale

The management standard has been implemented by TRPA and other partner agencies. As described below, significant regulations are in place to protect disturbance-free zones from formal uses that would degrade their condition. The TRPA Code of Ordinances describes disturbance-free zones for northern goshawk, bald eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, and golden eagles; prohibits actions that would significantly impact their habitat or lead to the local extirpation or displacement of a population; and authorizes TRPA to require special conditions to mitigate or avoid impacts to special interest species (TRPA 2012c). A land capability system is implemented through the TRPA Code of Ordinances, which significantly limits development or other disturbance in low capability lands (TRPA 2012b). These low capability lands coincide with mapped areas of mule deer fawning habitat, providing protection for fawning habitat. TRPA also requires a formal environmental review including consideration of alternatives and mitigation measures when a project may have a significant impact on special interest species or other thresholds (TRPA 2012c). Prior to approving any project, TRPA must make specific findings demonstrating that the project is consistent with the Code of Ordinances and will not exceed any threshold standards, including requirements for the protection of disturbance-free zones for special interest species (TRPA 2012c). Code Chapter 13.5.3.5 attempts to minimize light pollution in project design to minimize impacts while providing adequate lighting for public safety (TRPA 2012c).