Appendix A

Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-1

APPENDIX A

REQUIRED DESIGN FEATURES

Required Design Features (RDFs) are a suite of features that would establish the 

minimum specifications for certain activities (i.e., water developments, fluid 

mineral development, and fire and fuels management) to help mitigate adverse 

impacts. In general, the design features are accepted practices that are known to 

be effective when implemented properly at the project level. However, their 

applicability and overall effectiveness cannot be fully assessed until the project 

level when the project location and design are known. Because of site-specific 

circumstances, some features may not apply to some projects (e.g., a resource is 

not present on a given site) and/or may require slight variations (e.g., a larger or 

smaller protective area). All variations in design features would require 

appropriate analysis and disclosure as part of future project authorizations. 

Additional mitigation measures may be identified and required during individual 

project development and environmental review, and it is not possible to list 

them all at the planning level.

ALTERNATIVES A AND E

No Required Design Features (RDFs) were identified under Alternative A or 

proposed under Alternative E.

ALTERNATIVE B

Appendix B contains best management practices (BMPs) from the NTT report 

that were brought forward as RDFs with the exception of those proposed 

under locatables which will remain as proposed BMPs.

Fluid Minerals RDFs

Roads - PPMA

• Close and rehabilitate duplicate roads.

• Use dust abatement on roads and pads.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-2 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• Restrict vehicle traffic to only authorized users on newly 

constructed routes (using signage, gates, etc.).

• Do not issue ROWs or SUAs to counties on newly constructed 

energy development roads, unless for a temporary use consistent 

with all other terms and conditions included in this document.

• Establish trip restrictions (Lyon and Anderson 2003) or 

minimization through use of telemetry and remote well control 

(e.g., Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).

• Establish speed limits on BLM and Forest Service-managed roads to 

reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design roads to be driven at 

slower speeds.

• Construct road crossings at right angles to ephemeral drainages and 

stream crossings.

• Coordinate road construction and use among ROW or SUA 

holders.

• Locate roads to avoid important areas and habitats.

• Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary 

to accommodate their intended purpose.

• Cluster disturbances, operations (fracture stimulation, liquids 

gathering, etc.), and facilities.

• Use directional and horizontal drilling to reduce surface disturbance.

• Place infrastructure in already disturbed locations where the habitat 

has not been fully restored.

• Apply a phased development approach with concurrent reclamation.

• Place liquid gathering facilities outside of priority areas. Have no 

tanks at well locations within priority habitat areas to minimize 

truck traffic and perching and nesting sites for ravens and raptors.

• Pipelines must be under or immediately adjacent to the road (Bui et 

al. 2010).

• Use remote monitoring techniques for production facilities and 

develop a plan to reduce the frequency of vehicle use (Lyon and 

Anderson 2003).

• Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum 

number and amount needed.

• Site and/or minimize linear ROWs or SUAs to reduce disturbance 

to sagebrush habitats.

• Place new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and 

transportation routes in existing utility or transportation corridors.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-3

• Bury distribution power lines.

• Co-locate power lines, flowlines, and small pipelines under or 

immediately adjacent to existing roads (Bui et al. 2010).

• Design or site permanent structures which create movement (e.g.,

pump jack) to minimize impacts to GRSG.

• Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all 

drilling and production pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce 

GRSG mortality.

• Equip tanks and other above-ground facilities with structures or 

devices that discourage nesting of raptors and corvids.

• Control the spread and effects of non‐native plant species 

(Evangelista et al. 2011) (e.g., by washing vehicles and equipment.).

• Use only closed-loop systems for drilling operations and no reserve 

pits.

• Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate 

threats from West Nile virus (Doherty 2007).

• Remove or re-inject produced water to reduce habitat for 

mosquitoes that vector West Nile virus. If surface disposal of 

produced water continues, use the following steps for reservoir 

design to limit favorable mosquito habitat:

– Overbuild size of ponds for muddy and non-vegetated 

shorelines.

– Build steep shorelines to decrease vegetation and increase 

wave actions.

– Avoid flooding terrestrial vegetation in flat terrain or low 

lying areas.

– Construct dams or impoundments that restrict down slope 

seepage or overflow.

– Line the channel where discharge water flows into the pond 

with crushed rock.

– Construct spillway with steep sides and line it with crushed 

rock.

– Treat waters with larvicides to reduce mosquito production 

where water occurs on the surface.

• Limit noise to less than 10 decibels above ambient measures (20-24 

dBA) at sunrise at the perimeter of a lek during active lek season 

(Patricelli et al. 2010, Blickley et al. In preparation).

• Require noise shields when drilling during the lek, nesting, broodrearing, or wintering season.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-4 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• Fit transmission towers with anti-perch devices (Lammers and

Collopy 2007).

• Require GRSG-safe fences.

• Locate new compressor stations outside priority habitats and design 

them to reduce noise that may be directed towards priority habitat.

• Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2011).

• Locate man camps outside of priority habitats.

Reclamation - PPMA

• Include objectives for ensuring habitat restoration to meet GRSG

habitat needs in reclamation practices/sites (Pyke 2011). Address 

post reclamation management in reclamation plan such that goals 

and objectives are to protect and improve GRSG habitat needs.

• Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long‐term access roads 

and well pads, including reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cutand-fill slopes.

• Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to the pre‐disturbance 

landforms and desired plant community.

• Irrigate interim reclamation if necessary for establishing seedlings 

more quickly.

• Utilize mulching techniques to expedite reclamation and to protect 

soils.

Roads - PGMA

• Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary 

to accommodate their intended purpose.

• Do not issue ROWs or SUAs to counties on energy development 

roads, unless for a temporary use consistent with all other terms 

and conditions included in this document.

• Establish speed limits to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design 

roads to be driven at slower speeds.

• Coordinate road construction and use among ROW or SUA 

holders.

• Construct road crossings at right angles to ephemeral drainages and 

stream crossings.

• Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.

• Close and reclaim duplicate roads by restoring original landform and 

establishing desired vegetation.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-5

Operations – PGMA

• Cluster disturbances, operations (fracturing stimulation, liquids 

gathering, etc.), and facilities.

• Use directional and horizontal drilling to reduce surface disturbance.

• Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2010).

• Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum 

number and amount needed.

• Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all 

drilling and production pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce 

GRSG mortality.

• Equip tanks and other above-ground facilities with structures or 

devices that discourage nesting by raptors or corvids.

• Use remote monitoring techniques for production facilities and 

develop a plan to reduce vehicular traffic frequency of vehicle use.

• Control the spread and effects from non‐native plant species. (e.g., 

by washing vehicles and equipment).

• Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate 

augmenting threats from West Nile virus (Dougherty 2007). See 

this table’s BMP Section A: West Nile Virus.

Locatable Minerals BMPs

Roads – PPMA

• Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary 

to accommodate their intended purposes.

• Locate roads to avoid important areas and habitats.

• Coordinate road construction and use among ROW or SUA 

holders.

• Construct road crossing at right angles to ephemeral drainages and 

stream crossings.

• Establish speed limits on BLM and Forest Service managed roads to 

reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design roads to be driven at 

slower speeds.

• Do not issue ROWs or SUAs to counties on mining development 

roads, unless for a temporary use consistent with all other terms 

and conditions including this document.

• Restrict vehicle traffic to only authorized users on newly 

constructed routes (e. g., use signing, gates, etc.).

• Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-6 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• Close and reclaim duplicate roads, by restoring original landform 

and establishing desired vegetation.

Operations - PPMA

• Cluster disturbances associated with operations and facilities as 

close as possible.

• Place infrastructure in already disturbed locations where the habitat 

has not been restored.

• Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum 

number and amount needed.

• Site and/or minimize linear ROWs or SUAs to reduce disturbance 

to sagebrush habitats.

• Place new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and 

transportation routes in existing utility or transportation corridors.

• Bury power lines.

• Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all 

pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce GRSG mortality.

• Equip tanks and other above ground facilities with structures or 

devices that discourage nesting of raptors and corvids.

• Control the spread and effects of non-native plant species (Gelbard 

and Belnap 2003, Bergquist et al. 2007).

• Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate 

threats from West Nile virus (Doherty 2007). See this table’s BMP 

Section A: West Nile Virus.

• Require GRSG-safe fences around sumps.

• Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2010).

• Locate man camps outside of priority GRSG habitats.

Reclamation – PPMA

• Include restoration objectives to meet GRSG habitat needs in 

reclamation practices/sites.

• Address post reclamation management in reclamation plans such 

that goals and objectives are to protect and improve GRSG habitat 

needs.

• Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long-term access roads 

and well pads including reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cut 

and fill slopes.

• Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to pre-disturbance 

landform and desired plant community.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-7

• Irrigate interim reclamation as necessary during dry periods. Utilize 

mulching techniques to expedite reclamation.

Fuels and Fire Management RDFs

Fuels Management

• Where applicable, design fuels treatment objective to protect 

existing sagebrush ecosystems, modify fire behavior, restore native 

plants, and create landscape patters which most benefit GRSG

habitat.

• Provide training to fuels treatment personnel on GRSG biology, 

habitat requirements, and identification of areas utilized locally.

• Use fire prescriptions that minimize undesirable effects on 

vegetation or soils (e.g., minimize mortality of desirable perennial 

plant species and reduce risk of hydrophobicity).

• Ensure proposed sagebrush treatments are planned with 

interdisciplinary input from BLM, Forest Service, and /or state 

wildlife agency biologist and that treatment acreage is conservative 

in the context of surrounding GRSG seasonal habitats and 

landscape.

• Where appropriate, ensure that treatments are configured in a 

manner (e.g., strips) that promotes use by GRSG (See Connelly et 

al. 2000).

• Where applicable, incorporate roads and natural fuel breaks into 

fuel break design.

• Power-wash all vehicles and equipment involved in fuels 

management activities prior to entering the area to minimize the 

introduction of undesirable and/or invasive plant species.

• Design vegetation treatment in areas of high frequency to facilitate 

firefighting safety, reduce the risk of extreme fire behavior; and to 

reduce the risk and rate of fire spread to key and restoration 

habitats.

• Give priority for implementing specific GRSG habitat restoration 

projects in annual grasslands first to sites which are adjacent to or 

surrounded by GRSG key habitats. Annual grasslands are second 

priority for restoration when the sites not adjacent to key habitat, 

but within 2 miles of key habitat. The third priority for annual 

grasslands habitat restoration projects are sites beyond 2 miles of 

key habitat. The intent is to focus restoration outward from 

existing, intact habitat.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-8 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• As funding and logistics permit, restore annual grasslands to a 

species composition characterized by perennial grasses, forbs, and 

shrubs.

• Emphasize the use of native plant species, recognizing that nonnative species may be necessary depending on the availability of 

native seed and prevailing site conditions.

• Remove standing and encroaching trees within at least 100 meters 

of occupied GRSG leks and other habitats (e.g., nesting, wintering, 

and brood rearing) to reduce the availability of perch sites for avian 

predators, as appropriate, and resources permit.

• Protect wildland areas from wildfire originating on private lands, 

infrastructure corridors, and recreational areas.

• Reduce the risk of vehicle or human-caused wildfires and the spread 

of invasive species by planting perennial vegetation (e.g., greenstrips) paralleling road rights-of-way.

• Strategically place and maintain pre-treated strips/areas (e.g., 

mowing, herbicide application, and strictly managed grazed strips) to 

ail in controlling wildfire should wildfire occur near key habitats or 

important restoration areas (such as where investments in 

restoration have already been made).

Fire Management

• Develop state-specific GRSG toolboxes containing maps, a list of 

resource advisors, contact information, local guidance, and other 

relevant information.

• Provide localized maps to dispatch offices and extended attack 

incident commanders for use in prioritizing wildfire suppression 

resources and determining suppression tactics.

• Assign a GRSG resource advisor to all extended attack fires in or 

near key GRSG habitat areas. Prior to the fire season, provide 

training to GRSG resource advisors on wildfire suppression 

organization, objectives, tactics, and procedures to develop a cadre 

of qualified individuals. 

• On critical fire weather days, pre-position additional fire 

suppression resources to optimize a quick and efficient response in 

GRSG habitat areas.

• During periods of multiple fires, ensure line officers are involved in 

setting priorities.

• To the extent possible, locate wildfire suppression facilities (i.e., 

base camps, spike camps, drop points, staging areas, and heli-bases) 

in areas where physical disturbance to GRSG habitat can be 

minimized. These include disturbed areas, grasslands, near 
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-9

roads/trails or in other areas where there is existing disturbance or 

minimal sagebrush cover.

• Power-wash all firefighting vehicles, to the extent possible, including 

engines, water tenders, personnel vehicles, and ATVs prior to 

deploying in or near GRSG habitat areas to minimize noxious weed 

spread.

• Minimize unnecessary cross-country vehicle travel during fire 

operations in GRSG habitat.

• Minimize burnout operations in key GRSG habitat areas by 

constructing direct fire line whenever safe and practical to do so.

• Utilize retardant and mechanized equipment to minimize burned 

acreage during initial attack.

• As safety allows, conduct mop-up where the black adjoins unburned 

islands, dog legs, or other habitat features to minimize sagebrush 

loss.

ALTERNATIVES C, D, AND F

Alternatives C, D, and F contain RDFs and BMPs based on the NTT report in 

addition to RDFs developed by the BLM and Forest Service ID Team.

Fluid Minerals RDFs

Roads - PPMA

• Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary 

to accommodate their intended purpose.

• Locate roads to avoid important areas and habitats.

• Coordinate road construction and use among ROW or SUA 

holders.

• Construct road crossings at right angles to ephemeral drainages and 

stream crossings.

• Establish speed limits on BLM and Forest Service-managed roads to 

reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design roads to be driven at 

slower speeds.

• Establish trip restrictions (Lyon and Anderson 2003) or 

minimization through use of telemetry and remote well control 

(e.g., Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).

• Do not issue ROWs or SUAs to counties on newly constructed 

energy development roads, unless for a temporary use consistent 

with all other terms and conditions included in this document.

• Restrict vehicle traffic to only authorized users on newly 

constructed routes (using signage, gates, etc.)
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-10 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• Use dust abatement on roads and pads.

• Close and rehabilitate duplicate roads.

• Cluster disturbances, operations (fracture stimulation, liquids 

gathering, etc.), and facilities.

• Use directional and horizontal drilling to reduce surface disturbance.

• Place infrastructure in already disturbed locations where the habitat 

has not been fully restored.

• Apply a phased development approach with concurrent reclamation.

• Place liquid gathering facilities outside of priority areas. Have no 

tanks at well locations within priority habitat areas to minimize 

truck traffic and perching and nesting sites for ravens and raptors.

• Pipelines must be under or immediately adjacent to the road (Bui et 

al. 2010).

• Use remote monitoring techniques for production facilities and 

develop a plan to reduce the frequency of vehicle use (Lyon and 

Anderson 2003).

• Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum 

number and amount needed.

• Site and/or minimize linear ROWs or SUAs to reduce disturbance 

to sagebrush habitats.

• Place new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and 

transportation routes in existing utility or transportation corridors.

• Bury distribution power lines.

• Collocate powerlines, flowlines, and small pipelines under or 

immediately adjacent to existing roads (Bui et al. 2010).

• Design or site permanent structures which create movement (e.g.,

pump jack) to minimize impacts to sage‐grouse.

• Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all 

drilling and production pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce 

GRSG mortality.

• Equip tanks and other above-ground facilities with structures or 

devices that discourage nesting of raptors and corvids.

• Control the spread and effects of non‐native plant species 

(Evangelista et al. 2011) (e.g., by washing vehicles and equipment).

• Use only closed-loop systems for drilling operations and no reserve 

pits.

• Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate 

threats from West Nile virus (Doherty 2007).
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-11

• Remove or re-inject produced water to reduce habitat for 

mosquitoes that vector West Nile virus. If surface disposal of 

produced water continues, use the following steps for reservoir 

design to limit favorable mosquito habitat:

– Overbuild size of ponds for muddy and non-vegetated 

shorelines.

– Build steep shorelines to decrease vegetation and increase 

wave actions.

– Avoid flooding terrestrial vegetation in flat terrain or low 

lying areas.

– Construct dams or impoundments that restrict down slope 

seepage or overflow.

– Line the channel where discharge water flows into the pond 

with crushed rock.

– Construct spillway with steep sides and line it with crushed 

rock.

– Treat waters with larvicides to reduce mosquito production 

where water occurs on the surface.

• Limit noise to less than 10 decibels above ambient measures (20-24 

dBA) at sunrise at the perimeter of a lek during active lek season 

(Patricelli et al. 2010, Blickley et al. In preparation).

• Require noise shields when drilling during the lek, nesting, broodrearing, or wintering season.

• Fit transmission towers with anti-perch devices (Lammers and 

Collopy 2007).

• Require GRSG-safe fences.

• Locate new compressor stations outside priority habitats and design 

them to reduce noise that may be directed towards priority habitat.

• Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2011).

• Locate man camps outside of priority habitats.

Reclamation - PPMA

• Include objectives for ensuring habitat restoration to meet GRSG

habitat needs in reclamation practices/sites (Pyke 2011). Address 

post reclamation management in reclamation plan such that goals 

and objectives are to protect and improve GRSG habitat needs.

• Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long‐term access roads 

and well pads, including reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cutand-fill slopes.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-12 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to the pre‐disturbance 

landforms and desired plant community.

• Irrigate interim reclamation if necessary for establishing seedlings 

more quickly.

• Utilize mulching techniques to expedite reclamation and to protect 

soils.

Roads - PGMA

• Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary 

to accommodate their intended purpose.

• Do not issue ROWs or SUAs to counties on energy development 

roads, unless for a temporary use consistent with all other terms 

and conditions included in this document.

• Establish speed limits to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design 

roads to be driven at slower speeds.

• Coordinate road construction and use among ROW or SUA 

holders.

• Construct road crossings at right angles to ephemeral drainages and 

stream crossings.

• Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.

• Close and reclaim duplicate roads by restoring original landform and 

establishing desired vegetation.

Operations – PGMA

• Cluster disturbances, operations (fracturing stimulation, liquids 

gathering, etc.), and facilities.

• Use directional and horizontal drilling to reduce surface disturbance.

• Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2010).

• Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum 

number and amount needed.

• Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all 

drilling and production pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce 

GRSG mortality.

• Equip tanks and other above-ground facilities with structures or 

devices that discourage nesting by raptors or corvids.

• Use remote monitoring techniques for production facilities and 

develop a plan to reduce vehicular traffic frequency of vehicle use.

• Control the spread and effects from non‐native plant species. (e.g., 

by washing vehicles and equipment.)
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-13

• Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate 

augmenting threats from West Nile virus (Dougherty 2007). See 

this table’s BMP Section A: West Nile Virus.

Locatable Minerals BMPs

Roads – PPMA

• Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary 

to accommodate their intended purposes.

• Locate roads to avoid important areas and habitats.

• Coordinate road construction and use among ROW or SUA 

holders.

• Construct road crossing at right angles to ephemeral drainages and 

stream crossings.

• Establish speed limits on BLM and Forest Service managed roads to 

reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design roads to be driven at 

slower speeds.

• Do not issue ROWs or SUAs to counties on mining development 

roads, unless for a temporary use consistent with all other terms 

and conditions including this document.

• Restrict vehicle traffic to only authorized users on newly 

constructed routes (e. g., use signing, gates, etc.).

• Use dust abatement practices on roads and pads.

• Close and reclaim duplicate roads, by restoring original landform 

and establishing desired vegetation.

Operations - PPMA 

• Cluster disturbances associated with operations and facilities as 

close as possible.

• Place infrastructure in already disturbed locations where the habitat 

has not been restored.

• Restrict the construction of tall facilities and fences to the minimum 

number and amount needed.

• Site and/or minimize linear ROWs or SUAs to reduce disturbance 

to sagebrush habitats.

• Place new utility developments (power lines, pipelines, etc.) and 

transportation routes in existing utility or transportation corridors.

• Bury power lines.

• Cover (e.g., fine mesh netting or use other effective techniques) all 

pits and tanks regardless of size to reduce GRSG mortality.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-14 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• Equip tanks and other above ground facilities with structures or 

devices that discourage nesting of raptors and corvids.

• Control the spread and effects of non-native plant species (Gelbard 

and Belnap 2003, Bergquist et al. 2007).

• Restrict pit and impoundment construction to reduce or eliminate 

threats from West Nile virus (Doherty 2007). See this table’s BMP 

Section A: West Nile Virus.

• Require GRSG-safe fences around sumps.

• Clean up refuse (Bui et al. 2010).

• Locate man camps outside of priority GRSG habitats.

Reclamation – PPMA 

• Include restoration objectives to meet GRSG habitat needs in 

reclamation practices/sites.

• Address post reclamation management in reclamation plans such 

that goals and objectives are to protect and improve GRSG habitat 

needs.

• Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long-term access roads 

and well pads including reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cut 

and fill slopes.

• Restore disturbed areas at final reclamation to pre-disturbance 

landform and desired plant community

• Irrigate interim reclamation as necessary during dry periods. Utilize 

mulching techniques to expedite reclamation.

Fuels and Fire Management RDFs

Fuels Management

• Where applicable, design fuels treatment objective to protect 

existing sagebrush ecosystems, modify fire behavior, restore native 

plants, and create landscape patters which most benefit GRSG

habitat.

• Provide training to fuels treatment personnel on GRSG biology, 

habitat requirements, and identification of areas utilized locally.

• Use burning prescriptions that minimize undesirable effects on 

vegetation or soils (e.g., minimize mortality of desirable perennial 

plant species and reduce risk of annual grass invasion).

• Ensure proposed sagebrush treatments are planned with full 

interdisciplinary input pursuant to NEPA and coordination with 

state fish and wildlife agencies, and that treatment acreage is 
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-15

conservative in the context of surrounding GRSG seasonal habitats 

and landscape.

• Where appropriate, ensure that treatments are configured in a 

manner that promotes use by GRSG. Where applicable, incorporate 

roads and natural fuel breaks into fuel break design.

• Power-wash all vehicles and equipment involved in fuels 

management activities prior to entering the area to minimize the 

introduction of undesirable and/or invasive plant species.

• Design vegetation treatments in areas of high fire frequency which 

facilitate firefighter safety, reduce the potential acres burned, and 

reduce the fire risk to GRSG habitat. Additionally, develop maps 

for GRSG habitat which spatially display existing fuels treatments 

that can be used to assist suppression activities. Give priority for 

implementing specific GRSG habitat restoration projects in annual 

grasslands, first to sites which are adjacent to or surrounded by 

PPMA or that reestablish continuity between priority habitats. 

Annual grasslands are a second priority for restoration when the 

sites are not adjacent to PPMA, but within two miles of PPMA. The 

third priority for annual grassland habitat restoration projects are 

sites beyond two miles of PPMA. The intent is to focus restoration 

outward from existing, intact habitat. 

• As funding and logistics permit, restore annual grasslands to a 

species composition characterized by perennial grasses, forbs, and 

shrubs or one of that referenced in land use planning 

documentation. 

• Emphasize the use of native plant species, recognizing that nonnative species may be necessary depending on the availability of 

native seed and prevailing site conditions.

• Remove standing and encroaching trees within at least 110 yards of 

occupied GRSG leks and other habitats (e.g., nesting, wintering and 

brood rearing) to reduce the availability of perch sites for avian 

predators, as resources permit. Protect wildland areas from wildfire 

originating on private lands, infrastructure corridors, and 

recreational areas.

• Reduce the risk of vehicle- or human-caused wildfires and the 

spread of invasive species by installing fuel breaks and/or planting 

perennial vegetation (e.g., green-strips) paralleling road rights-ofway. Strategically place and maintain pre-treated strips/areas (e.g., 

mowing, herbicide application, etc.) to aid in controlling wildfire, 

should wildfire occur near PPMA or important restoration areas 

(such as where investments in restoration have already been made). 
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-16 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

Fire Management

• Compile District/Forest level information into state-wide GRSG

tool boxes. Tool boxes will contain maps, listing of resource 

advisors, contact information, local guidance, and other relevant 

information for each District/Forest, which will be aggregated into a 

state-wide document. 

• Provide localized maps to dispatch offices and extended attack 

incident commanders for use in prioritizing wildfire suppression 

resources and designing suppression tactics.

• Assign a resource advisor with GRSG expertise, or who has access 

to GRSG expertise, to all extended attack fires in or near GRSG

habitat. Prior to the fire season, provide training to GRSG resource 

advisors on wildfire suppression organization, objectives, tactics, and 

procedures to develop a cadre of qualified individuals. Involve state 

wildlife agency expertise in fire operations through:

– instructing resource advisors during preseason trainings;

– qualification as resource advisors;

– coordination with resource advisors during fire incidents;

– contributing to incident planning with information such as 

habitat features or other key data useful in fire decision 

making.

• On critical fire weather days, pre-position additional fire 

suppression resources to optimize a quick and efficient response in 

GRSG habitat areas.

• During periods of multiple fires, ensure line officers are involved in 

setting priorities.

• To the extent possible, locate wildfire suppression facilities (i.e., 

base camps, spike camps, drop points, staging areas, heli-bases, etc.) 

in areas where physical disturbance to GRSG habitat can be 

minimized. These include disturbed areas, grasslands, near 

roads/trails or in other areas where there is existing disturbance or 

minimal sagebrush cover. Power-wash all firefighting vehicles, to the 

extent possible, including engines, water tenders, personnel vehicles, 

and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) prior to deploying in or near GRSG

habitat areas to minimize noxious weed spread. Minimize 

unnecessary cross-country vehicle travel during fire operations in 

GRSG habitat.

• Minimize burnout operations in key GRSG habitat areas by 

constructing direct fire line whenever safe and practical to do so.

• Utilize retardant, mechanized equipment, and other available 

resources to minimize burned acreage during initial attack. As safety 
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-17

allows, conduct mop-up where the black adjoins unburned islands, 

dog legs, or other habitat features to minimize sagebrush loss.

• Adequately document fire operation activities in GRSG habitat for 

potential follow-up coordination activities.

Wildlife/Greater Sage-Grouse RDFs

• During the period specified, manage discretionary surface disturbing 

activities and uses to prevent disturbance to GRSG during life cycle 

periods. Seasonal protection is identified for the following: Seasonal 

Protection within four (4) miles of active GRSG leks from March 1 

through June 15, Seasonal protection of GRSG wintering areas from 

November 1 through March 31, Seasonal protection of GRSG

wintering areas from November 1 through March 31, Seasonal 

protection of GRSG brood-rearing habitat from May 15 to August 

15.

• For any surface-disturbing activities proposed in sagebrush 

shrublands, the Proponent will conduct clearance surveys for GRSG

breeding activity during the GRSG’s breeding season before 

initiating the activities. The surveys must encompass all sagebrush 

shrublands within 3.0 miles of the proposed activities. Three surveys 

would be conducted every season during pre-planning operations. In 

areas found to have probable GRSG activity, surveys should 

continue during project operations.

• Ensure that all authorized ground disturbing projects have 

vegetation reclamation standards suitable for the site type prior to 

construction and ensure that reclamation to appropriate GRSG

standards are budgeted for.

• Remove or modify existing water developments that are negatively 

impacting GRSG habitats.

• Build or modify exclosures so that they large enough to provide 

hiding cover to GRSG and other wildlife and to reduce the 

possibility of wildlife collisions with fences. This includes mitigation 

for reduction of Culex mosquitos.

• In PPMA, remove livestock ponds built in perennial channels that 

are negatively impacting riparian habitat, either directly or indirectly, 

and do not permit new ones to be built in these areas.

• Ensure that any water developments do not remove more than 50% 

of water from any spring or other surface water source. Water 

developments should make water available on the ground for 

wildlife use. All troughs should be outfitted with the appropriate 

type and number of wildlife escape ramps.

• On BLM and Forest Service-administered Wilderness and 

Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), mechanized equipment may be 
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-18 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

used to protect areas of high resource concerns or values; 

however, the use of mechanized equipment will be evaluated against 

potential long-term resource damage.

• During the period specified, manage discretionary surface disturbing 

activities and uses to prevent disturbance to GRSG during life cycle 

periods. Seasonal protection is identified for the following:

- Seasonal Protection within four (4) miles of active GRSG

leks from March 1 through June 15.

- Seasonal protection of GRSG wintering areas from 

November 1 through March 31.

- Seasonal protection of GRSG brood-rearing habitat from 

May 15 to August 15.

• All field and district offices should apply BLM IM 2013-094 or similar 

methodology until superseded related to drought management 

planning.

• Use aircraft to check livestock in areas where consistent trespass 

has been noted and access/manpower is difficult to obtain.

• In pastures where short term livestock utilization standards are not 

met, AUMs grazed the following year should be reduced 

accordingly. AUMs cannot be applied to another pasture.

• In PPMA, any pasture scheduled for rest as part of its grazing permit 

schedule should not be used if short term utilization limits have 

been exceeded.

• Fire and fuels operations should focus on protecting and enhancing 

occupied GRSG habitats. This includes taking into account the 

feasibility and cost of future rehabilitation efforts during WFDSS 

planning and general fire operations in all occupied GRSG habitats.

• To reduce the probability of Culex mosquitos or reductions in 

nesting habitat volumes, evaluate the need for livestock reductions 

or changes in seasons of use before considering construction of new 

livestock ponds in PPMA.

• Implement appropriate time-of-day and/or time-of year restrictions 

for future construction and/or maintenance activities in known 

GRSG habitat to avoid adverse impacts.

• In evaluating land and realty actions, consider off-site mitigation on a 

case-by-case basis.

• Avoid authorizing rights-of-way that would result in significant 

habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, or population disturbance.

• Reseed all areas requiring reclamation with a seed mixture 

appropriate for the soils, climate, and landform of the area to 
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

October 2013 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS A-19

ensure recovery of the ecological processes and habitat features of 

the potential natural vegetation, and to prevent the invasion of 

noxious weeds or other exotic invasive species.

• Work with existing rights-of-way holders in an attempt to install 

perch guards on all poles where existing utility poles are located 

within 3miles of known leks, where necessary. Stipulate these 

requirements at grant renewal.

• Authorize new rights-of-way at least 3.3 km (2miles) or other 

appropriate distances (based on features such as type of project, 

topography, etc.) from leks.

• Use existing utility corridors and consolidate rights-of-way to 

reduce habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. Whenever 

possible, install new power lines within existing utility corridors.

Otherwise power lines should be located at least 3 miles from 

breeding, nesting, brood-rearing and winter habitat.

• Where GRSG conservation opportunities exist, BLM field offices 

and Forests should work in cooperation with righters-of-way 

holders to conduct maintenance and operation activities, authorized 

under an approved ROW grant, to avoid and minimize effect on 

GRSG habitat. 

• When renewing or amending ROWs, assess the impacts of ongoing 

use of the ROW to GRSG habitat and minimize such impacts to the 

extent allowed by law.

• Work with applicants to minimize habitat loss, fragmentation, and 

direct and indirect effects to GRSG and its habitat.

• Conduct pre-application meetings for all new ROW proposals 

consistent with the ROW regulations (43 CFR 2804.10) and 

consistent with current renewable energy ROW policy guidance 

(WO-IM-2011-061, issued February, 2011). Assess the impact of the 

proposed ROW on GRSG and its habitat, and implement the 

following: Ensure that reasonable alternatives for siting the ROW 

outside of GRSG habitat or within a BLM designated utility corridor 

are considered and analyzed in the NEPA document; and identify 

technically feasible best management practices, conditions, (e.g., 

siting, burying power lines) that may be implemented in order to 

eliminate or minimize impacts.

• For ROWs where the total project disturbance for the ROW and 

any connected action is less than 1 linear mile, or 2 acres of 

disturbance, develop mitigation measures related to construction, 

maintenance, operation, and reclamation activities that as 

determined in cooperating with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 

would cumulatively maintain or enhance GRSG habitat.
Appendix A. Required Design Features 

A-20 Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft LUPA/EIS October 2013

• For ROW applications where the total project disturbance from the 

ROW and any connected action is greater than 1 linear mile or 2 

acres of disturbance, the each District will determine that it is 

appropriate to authorize a ROW, utilizing the following process:

– The BLM will document the reasons for its determination 

and require the ROW holder to implement measures to 

minimize impacts to sage grouse habitat.

– In addition to considering opportunities for onsite 

mitigation, the BLM will, to the extent possible, cooperate 

with the project proponents to develop and consider 

implement appropriate offset mitigation that the BLM, 

coordinating with the Nevada Department of Wildlife 

determines would avoid or minimize habitat and populationlevel effects (Refer to WO-IM 2012-043 Greater Sage 

Grouse Interim Management Policies and Procedures.)

When developing such mitigation, the BLM should consider 

compensating for the short-term and long-term direct and 

indirect loss of GRSG and its habitat.

• Establish speed limits on BLM and Forest Service-administered

roads to reduce vehicle/wildlife collisions or design roads to be 

driven at slower speeds.

• Maximize the area of interim reclamation on long-term access roads 

and well pads including reshaping, topsoiling and revegetating cut 

and fill slopes.

• Authorize ROWs by applying appropriate BMPs (BLM Wind Energy 

Development EIS, June 2005), land use restrictions, stipulations, and 

mitigation measures.

• An Environmental Assessment is required for applications for 

monitoring sites in known Sage-Grouse Population Management

Units.