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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
Revised Recreation Plan
The project provides numerous recreation opportunities, and PCWA
appropriately proposes extensive development, reconstruction, and management support
in its proposed Recreation Plan. However, we find in section 3.3.5, Recreation
Resources and Land Use, that the proposed plan: (1) contains some discrepancies
between tabular and narrative information; (2) presents separate descriptions of existing
and planned development for individual sites; and (3) refers the reader to external
information provided in relicensing reports. As written, the Commission could not
approve the plan because it would not be possible to determine if PCWA actions were
in compliance with the plan. Additionally, as discussed later in this section and in
section 5.2.3, the scope of recreation measures we recommend is different from what
the proposed plan contains. Consequently, we recommend that PCWA revise and
resubmit the Recreation Plan to address shortcomings in the proposed plan and reflect
the recreation measures, including schedule, that we recommend.
Individual recreation measures contained in the proposed recreation plan address
the majority of project effects and meet identified recreation needs at the project.
However, we also recommend several elements contained in the Alternative 1 plan.
Implementation Schedule—Existing recreation facilities and water systems will
soon be in need of redesign and reconstruction to meet visitor needs, protect natural
resources, and provide for public health and safety. We recommend an implementation
schedule for the recreation facility development that is included in Alternative 1.
Although developments would generally occur later as compared to PCWA’s proposal,
most of the facilities and water systems are in a functioning condition, and visitor needs
are currently being met by the spectrum of facilities and their existing condition. We
consider the slight visitor inconvenience caused by delaying implementation to be
minor as compared to the benefit of reducing project costs.
Trails—There are numerous trails in proximity to the project and a demonstrated
demand for trail use by project visitors. It would be appropriate to include certain trails
within the project because they access project facilities and features yet the existing
project does not include any project trails. Requiring PCWA to construct, reconstruct,
and maintain certain trails would provide additional trails for visitors and ensure they
are properly maintained which, in turn, would minimize resource damage such as
erosion and provide for visitor safety. Consequently, in addition to PCWA’s proposal
to extend the Poppy trail, we recommend PCWA construct or reconstruct, as
appropriate, and maintain: (1) Poppy trail; (2) a trail to the gage near Duncan Creek
diversion dam; (3) French Meadows trail between French Meadows Campground and
French Meadows dam; (4) Hell Hole reservoir trail; (5) a trail to Middle Fork American
River below Middle Fork interbay dam; and (6) a trail to the gage upstream of the
Ralston afterbay day use area.
Indian Bar Rafting Access—The existing facilities do not accommodate visitor
needs for parking, boat launching, and changing clothes. In addition to PCWA’s
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