BEsT MANAGEMENT PRACTICEs HANDbooK - Tahoe BMP

areas such as SEZs and in shorezones to protect Lake Tahoe from direct inputof nutrients. Only appropriate native plants selected from the Site TypeRecommended Species List and TRPA Approved Plant Species AttributesTable are permitted for use in these sensitive areas. For more information onrevegetation or other project work in SEZ or Shorezones, refer to Chapter 7Permitting.Generally, no project or activitycan occur in sensitive areas,such as SEZ and shorezones,which converts SEZ nativevegetation to a non-native orartificial state. Consult withTRPA or local jurisdictions priorto initiating projects whichmay impact these sensitiveareas.Stream Environment Zones (SEZs) are sensitive water influenced areas that perform criticalenvironmental functions. SEZs are protected and projects impacting them require specialconsiderations and permits.Rolled sod typically containshigh amounts of clay, whichcan lead to less waterinfiltration and more runoff.Establishing lawn and turf fromseed may require greater initialeffort, but more readily allowsrain and snow melt to soakinto the soil.5.3.1.1 LAWNS AND TURFMost common lawn and turf grasses used for landscaping are not native to theLake Tahoe Region. Many have high fertilizer and water needs, which canincrease nutrient laden runoff that promote algae growth in the lake. Inaddition, the lack of deep roots to hold soil particles together does notadequately protect against erosion and may result in sediment loading to LakeTahoe.While lawns and turf are not encouraged for use in the Lake Tahoe Region,small, isolated areas may serve valued purposes, such as for active recreation orfor fire defensible space. Lawns and turf are one option among other lowgrowingherbaceous plants, rocks, gravel, and other noncombustible materialsto create a landscape that integrates BMPs and fire defensible space.CHAPTER 5: Soil and Vegetation ManagementTRPA BMP HandbookPage 5-6 2012