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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
separate discussions by type of development such as trails, or whether an
improvement is a new facility);
Present text that is consistent with all tabular information; and
Contain all information needed for Commission staff to determine
compliance with measures specified in the plan and not to refer to
relicensing reports.
• Implement the Transportation System Management Plan as modified by
Alternative 1, with visual condition assessments every 6 years instead of every
5 years to synchronize data collection and reporting with the FERC Form 80
filing schedule.
• Expand the project boundary as necessary to include areas proposed by PCWA
and the entire length of Hell Hole trail between the dam and McKinstry trail
(Forest Service trail no. 15E02).
• Implement the Visual Resource Management Plan and conduct visual
condition assessments every 6 years instead of every 5 years to synchronize
data collection and reporting with the FERC Form 80 filing schedule.
• Revise the Alternative 1 Historic Properties Management Plan to include:
(1) requirements for National Register evaluation of all currently unevaluated
resources subject to unavoidable project-related effects. These effects would
include those associated with reservoir drawdown for operation and
maintenance purposes (i.e., FS-05-03-55-684 and FS-05-03-55-689), recreation
activities, including trail maintenance and alignment (PL-03 and PL-19), and
road construction (FS-05-03-55-495), and documentation of California State
Historic Preservation Officer (California SHPO) concurrence with all National
Register recommendations; (2) a plan for assessment of project effects to any
properties that are determined to be eligible for listing on the National
Register; (3) a plan for the curation of any recovered archaeological materials;
and (4) a plan to develop mitigation measures in consultation with the
California SHPO, Forest Service, and participating tribes for all eligible
properties where effects are adverse.
2.5 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED
ANALYSIS
We considered several alternatives to the applicant’s proposal, but eliminated
them from further analysis because they are not reasonable in the circumstances of this
case. They are (1) issuing a non-power license; (2) federal government takeover of the
project; and (3) retiring the project.
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