Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

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20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012 The organization of both plans makes it difficult to locate information about the recreation sites and, as they are written, would be inadequate to determine if PCWA is complying with the measures specified in the plan that may be included in a new license issued for this project. For example, both plans list <strong>Middle</strong> Meadows as a project facility but neither plan describes the facility, capacity, or amenities provided. Further, developments proposed in the same general location are presented in separate sections of the plans based on whether an improvement is a change to an existing facility or a new facility. For example, section 4.3.18, Ralston Picnic Area, of the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan describes changes at Ralston picnic area; however, the proposed boat launch, which appears to be within 1,000 feet of the picnic area, is discussed in section 4.4.1, Improvements at Select Dispersed Use Areas. Further, information in the tables is not consistent with text. For example, the Alternative 1 plan specifies that PCWA should develop a water system at Ahart Campground; however, this system is not included on the list of water systems presented in table 1, <strong>Project</strong> Recreation Facilities and Features, which purports to show existing and any new recreation-related facilities. Although site information is provided in a relicensing report, the project recreation plan should present a comprehensive discussion of all project recreation developments that includes both existing and planned improvements at each site. In addition, the plan should contain all information needed for Commission staff to determine compliance with measures specified in the plan without having to refer to relicensing reports. Section 4.3.20 of the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan states “The road will be improved as specified in the PCWA’s TSMP, which is available in supporting document A of PCWA’s final license application (PCWA, 2011a).” Instead of referring to the relicensing document, the recreation plan should describe the road improvement that is proposed. Recreation Facility Operation and Maintenance PCWA proposes to enter into a collection agreement to provide funding to the Forest Service for operation, maintenance, and administration of project recreation facilities. Forest Service condition no. 34 and the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan also specify that PCWA should provide funding to the agency for these purposes. Our Analysis It is appropriate for PCWA to be responsible for operating and maintaining the facilities that support project recreation to provide safe and adequate public recreation facilities. Although the Recreation Plans in PCWA’s proposal and Alternative 1 indicate that PCWA would enter into a collection agreement to provide funding for the agency to operate and maintain the project recreation facilities, this mechanism would not relieve PCWA of its responsibility and therefore would not be an appropriate measure to include in the Recreation Plan. Because it would only be appropriate for PCWA to operate and maintain project recreation facilities, and Cache Rock (see Forest Service condition no. 35) and the Hell Hole administrative station (see Forest Service condition no. 36) do not support project recreation, PCWA should not be responsible for operating and maintaining these facilities. It should also be noted that, as indicated in its funding 220
20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012 calculations, 20 the Forest Service specifies that PCWA provide funding for law enforcement. This requirement would not be an appropriate measure because PCWA already provides this funding through public land use fees and county taxes that it pays for the project. Facility Removal, Reduction, Reconfiguration, and Construction Both PCWA’s proposal and the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan would decommission Upper Hell Hole Campground; eliminate a few sites at Ralston afterbay picnic area and Hell Hole, Poppy, Ahart, and Lewis campgrounds; and convert McGuire picnic area to a group campground. In addition, the parking area for Poppy Campground would be removed, and parking for the campground would be provided at the McGuire boat ramp. Our Analysis Low occupancy data and the presence of sensitive resources support the need to decommission Upper Hell Hole Campground and eliminate a few sites at Ralston afterbay picnic area and Hell Hole, Poppy, Ahart, and Lewis campgrounds. Considering the increasing demand for group camping opportunities and the under-utilization of McGuire picnic area, reconstructing the site to provide group camping would be an appropriate action to meet visitor needs. Both plans specify constructing two group camping sites at McGuire picnic area and beach but they have different site capacities. Alternative 1 specifies constructing one 25-persons-at-one-time (PAOT) site and one 50- PAOT site and PCWA’s plan specifies constructing two 25-PAOT sites. Because providing group camping opportunities is the need addressed by this measure, PCWA’s plan provides the same benefit as the Alternative 1 plan in terms of the number of sites specified. Because there is no information to precisely determine what group size needs to be accommodated PCWA’s proposal for constructing two 25-PAOT sites should provide adequate initial capacity. Expanding the capacity at this site during the term of a new license could be considered on the basis of occupancy and monitoring results. These changes to the existing developed recreation facilities would slightly decrease developed capacity for day-use and family camping and increase capacity for group camping at the project. There are two parking areas in the vicinity of McGuire boat ramp that are near a third parking area for Poppy Campground. Because the combined capacity of these parking areas is in excess of what is needed PCWA proposes to remove the parking area for the campground and accommodate this use at the two parking areas for the boat ramp. Although development specified in the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan would accomplish the same goal of consolidating the parking near the boat ramp and connecting it by extending the Poppy campground access trail, the Alternative 1 plan specifies additional 20 Cost estimates provided in the Forest Service rationale document include funding for law enforcement. 221
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41 Table 3.3.1-1. Average number of
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43 Site/Release Location Gravel Ini
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45 a Q 1 - TSR, Table G-1 (PCWA, 20
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69 Table 3.3.2-3. Hydrology for sel
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71 Exceedances and Summary Statisti
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91 Figure 3.3.2-6. Fish passage bar
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105 Location American River below M
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135 Species Name Status a Butte Cou
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145 Table 3.3.3-5. Special-status w
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Page 225 and 226: 195 Figure 3.3.5-1. French Meadows
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275 Table 4-2. Summary of annual co
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279 Enhancement/Mitigation Measures
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303 c Base 2010 costs were provided
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307 Resource No-Action Alternative
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319 Table 5-2. Staff-recommended mi
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321 Location Middle Fork American R
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