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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
in enhanced trout populations and aquatic habitat. In addition, higher minimum flows in
the peaking reach would build on proposed project enhancements, such as gravel
augmentation and restrictions on ramping rates.
Terrestrial Resources
Natural plant and wildlife communities can be disturbed or displaced by project
facility construction, operation, and maintenance. There would be a permanent loss of
about 1.08 acres of riparian vegetation at peaking reach sediment augmentation sites and
new project features; 0.24 acre of vegetation temporarily removed at Hell Hole dam; and
an additional 0.07 acre of vegetation permanently removed for a new French Meadow
reservoir trail.
The Vegetation and Integrated Pest Management Plan would define specific
practices that would be used for vegetation management and weed control and include
provisions for surveying for and protecting special status plants and wildlife during
treatments. Under the staff alternative, there would be more detail in the plan regarding
management measures that would better protect sensitive plants and wildlife, including
those that may be important to Native Americans. Noxious weeds within the project
boundary would be more effectively controlled.
Modifying and eliminating recreation facilities near Stebbins phacelia populations
would reduce project effects on this species; revised Hell Hole water level management
may adversely affect some populations. Fish stocking would continue at historic rates,
maintaining the bald eagle and osprey prey base.
Recreation and Land Use
Hydropower licensees have an obligation to provide reasonable public access to
project lands and waters for recreational purposes. The staff alternative’s Recreation
Plan would be similar to the Alternative 1 Recreation Plan, but would require
improvements to the French Meadows North water system that are only necessary to
ensure potable water is provided to the project recreation facilities and would not include
new facilities at Ellicott Bridge because recreation use at this location is not related to the
project. Scheduled releases of 1,000 cfs in the peaking reach would be within the range
of optimum flows (1,000 to 1,250 cfs) for whitewater boating. There would also be more
whitewater boating opportunities provided by longer duration releases that would occur
earlier in the day as compared to PCWA’s proposed flow schedule.
Cultural Resources
Project-related facility construction, maintenance, and operation has the potential
to disturb sensitive cultural resources including the submersion of cultural sites beneath
project reservoirs, disturbance of previously unknown sites during construction, and
unintentional or intentional disruption of sites by the public. The Alternative 1 Historic
Properties Management Plan would serve to protect known cultural resources that may be
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