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Restore All Undeveloped SEZ

This indicator measures the restoration of stream environment zones (SEZ) in the undeveloped portions of the Tahoe Region. Prior to TRPA regulations that limit development in SEZ, these lands outside of developed areas were degraded through harmful activities like grazing and damming. SEZ plays critical roles including natural water filtration, storage, and conveyance of surface runoff. Naturally functioning SEZ also provides open space, flood flow capacity, riparian vegetation, and fish and wildlife habitat. Both completed and planned projects in the Environmental Improvement Program, are restoring SEZs. SEZ restoration is tracked, and SEZ conditions are monitored by EIP partners and TRPA.

Restored High Meadows.JPG

Status

Cumulative SEZ restoration and enhancement in the Lake Tahoe Region between 1980 and 2019 as a proportion of SEZ restoration target achieved. The green area of the chart is restored SEZ and the purple area is enhanced SEZ. The Region only started tracking SEZ enhancement in 2009.

Evaluation Map

Stream environment zones in the Tahoe Region and their rating. "A" rating is excellent condition, "B" is good condition, "C" is degraded condition, and "D" is very degraded condition.

2019 Evaluation

Status
Somewhat Worse Than Target
Trend
Moderate Improvement
Confidence
Low
View Evaluation

Applicable Standard

SC11: Restore all disturbed SEZ lands in undeveloped, unsubdivided lands.

Key Points

  • This standard is based on a 1982 baseline condition that was not recorded at the time the standard was adopted. It is therefore not possible to assess this standard's progress since 1982. Nonetheless, identified but not yet implemented SEZ restoration projects account for the attainment status of "Somewhat Worse Than Target."
  • TRPA and partners completed the first-ever comprehensive Stream Environment Zone (SEZ) baseline condition assessment in 2020.
  • The 2020 baseline assessment identified hundreds of acres of SEZ in undeveloped areas that are impacted by historic disturbance (e.g. logging, grazing), and are candidates for enhancement or restoration.
  • For threshold reporting, SEZ restoration totals are not tracked separately for developed and undeveloped areas, only as total SEZ restoration. (See also:  impervious cover indicator for Class 1b).

Delivering and Measuring Success

EIP Indicators

  • Acres of SEZ Restored or Enhanced

    This EIP performance measure tracks the amount of SEZ that is restored or enhanced by EIP partners to regain natural or historic function and values.

Example EIP Projects