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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
Management Plan provides few modifications to PCWA’s proposed plan, the most
significant being the addition of recreational elements that synchronize the developments
and schedule with the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan. Because we analyze the effects of
recreation development earlier in this section, the analysis of the other content of
proposed and Alternative 1 plans are similar enough that we do not analyze them
separately. Additionally, Forest Service condition no. 43 states PCWA should finalize
and implement the plan. We understand Alternative 1 addresses any outstanding needs
the Forest Service may have had regarding the plan and, for efficiency, the analysis
below is based on the Alternative 1 Transportation System Management Plan.
The Transportation System Management Plan would incorporate 47 existing roads
into the project and one new project road would be constructed. The plan would also
incorporate 12 trails into the project and five new trails would be constructed. PCWA
would be entirely responsible for routine and deferred (or periodic) maintenance on all
project roads and trails as identified on tables 1 through 5 in the plan. PCWA would also
enter into a collection agreement to provide funding to the Forest Service for
administrative oversight for project roads and trails that are located on NFS land. PCWA
would conduct condition assessments on project roads and trails once every 5 years, as
well as traffic counts on project roads at a frequency as determined in consultation with
the Forest Service. PCWA will consult with land management agencies annually to
discuss planned actions; results of condition assessments and traffic counts; and need for
traffic counts and periodic plan updates. The plan states that any new project road or trail
not identified in the plan that may be needed during the term of a new license would
require environmental review prior to construction.
Forest Service preliminary 4(e) condition no. 43 specifies that PCWA finalize the
plan and file it with the Commission after Forest Service approval. PCWA would
implement this plan after Commission approval. PCWA states in its supplemental filing
in November 2011 that it reached consensus with the Forest Service on the content of the
Transportation System Management Plan.
Our Analysis
The Transportation System Management System addresses the need for accessing
project features as well project recreation facilities and it appropriately identifies the level
of access that would be maintained through proper annual and long-term maintenance for
each access route.
Providing funding to the Forest Service for administrative oversight of the roads
and trails as specified in this plan would not be appropriate because PCWA already
provides funding through public land use fees that it pays for the project. Performing
regular condition assessments would provide essential information to determine
maintenance needs. Because there is such a close relationship between the recreation
facilities and transportation system it would be appropriate to synchronize the
assessments for these two programs. Revising the 5-year frequency to coincide with the
6-year Form 80 reporting would provide all relevant monitoring information on the same
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