The Blaine County board of county commissioners finds that the county contains wildlife habitat and species of local, statewide, and national significance as documented by Idaho department of fish and game (IDF&G), the federal bureau of land management, United States fish and wildlife service and the United States forest service. It is the purpose of these regulations to preserve and enhance the diversity of wildlife habitat and species throughout the county for the economic, recreational, and environmental benefit of county residents and visitors. (Ord. 2006-19, 11-14-2006)
The following terms used in this chapter shall be defined as follows:
CLASSIFIED LANDS: Lands within Blaine County, as follows:
Class I Lands: Lands within Blaine County that include elk winter habitat or mule deer winter habitat as defined within references used by IDF&G and other professional sources.
Class II Lands: Lands within Blaine County that include elk migration corridors or mule deer migration corridors as defined within references used by IDF&G and other professional sources.
Class III Lands: Lands within Blaine County that include current endangered, threatened, and candidate species pursuant to the endangered species act of 1973, species of greatest conservation need as listed within IDF&G's 2005 Idaho comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy, or defined within references used by IDF&G and other professional sources.
CONSERVATION PLAN (MITIGATION PLAN): A plan that discusses wildlife habitat management and protection, mitigation, and habitat enhancement planned to become part of the development.
ELK MIGRATION CORRIDORS: The migration routes used by elk to migrate from summer habitat to winter habitat. Elk migration corridors in Blaine County are designated by IDF&G.
ELK WINTER HABITAT: Generally consists of low to mid elevation, southern exposed xeric and mesic sagebrush grasslands and mixed shrub grasslands that are used during winter months by elk. Winter habitat is essential to the survival of these animals during winter. Elk winter habitat in Blaine County is designated by IDF&G.
ENDANGERED, THREATENED AND CANDIDATE SPECIES: Protected under the endangered species act of 1973, and administered by the U.S. fish and wildlife service.
HABITAT ASSESSMENT: A study that determines the types and values of vegetation and habitat, including sensitive lands. It shall include, but not be limited to, a description and maps of ownership, location, type, size, condition, habitat potential, and other attributes of wildlife habitat on site. A habitat assessment shall be prepared at the applicant's expense under the direction of a qualified person who has demonstrated appropriate expertise in the fields of resource biology, fish and wildlife management, and similar disciplines. It may be subject to peer review at the applicant's expense. Habitat assessments for subdivisions creating ten (10) or more lots shall be subject to peer review at the applicant's expense.
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE: Under the circumstances, that reasonable efforts have been undertaken to comply with the regulation or requirement, that the costs of compliance clearly outweigh the potential benefits to the public or would unreasonably burden the proposed project and that reasonable steps have been undertaken to minimize any potential harm or adverse impacts resulting from noncompliance.
MULE DEER MIGRATION CORRIDORS: The routes used by mule deer to migrate from summer habitat to winter habitat. Mule deer migration occurs over a few days or may span several weeks, depending upon the weather and other factors. Mule deer migration corridors in Blaine County are designated by IDF&G.
MULE DEER WINTER HABITAT: Generally consists of low elevation, southern exposed xeric and mesic sagebrush grasslands and mixed shrub grasslands that are used during winter months by mule deer. Winter habitat is essential to the survival of these animals during winter. Mule deer winter habitat in Blaine County is designated by IDF&G.
SENSITIVE LANDS: Lands professionally determined to be integral to the functioning of the ecosystem, including wetlands, riparian areas and wildlife habitat.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED: Those species listed as within the IDF&G's 2005 Idaho comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy, or as subsequently updated.
WILDLIFE HABITAT: An area with a combination of resources (food, water, cover, and space) and environmental conditions (temperature, precipitation, and presence or absence of predators and competitors) that promotes occupancy by individuals of a given species (or population) and allows those individuals to survive and reproduce. Components of wildlife habitat include, but are not limited to, principal feeding or foraging areas, winter range, summer range, transition areas, production and breeding areas, movement corridors, and areas providing essential minerals and water.
WILDLIFE SURVEY: Current and historical observation and documentation of the animals using the property. It shall include, but not be limited to, a description and map of the populations of wildlife species that inhabit or use the site, including a qualitative description of their spatial distribution and abundance. A wildlife survey shall be prepared at the applicant's expense under the direction of a qualified person who has demonstrated appropriate expertise in the fields of resource biology, fish and wildlife management, or similar disciplines. It may be subject to peer review at the applicant's expense. Habitat assessments for subdivisions creating ten (10) or more lots shall be subject to peer review at the applicant's expense. (Ord. 2008-17, 11-25-2008; Ord. 2006-19, 11-14-2006)
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