Draft EIS/EIR for the San Luis Reservoir SRA Resource ...

5. Environmental Analysis
requires CSP and Reclamation to comply with federal, state, interstate, and local
requirements; administrative authority; and sanctions with respect to the control
and abatement of water pollution.
5.4.1.1 Impact Summary
The following mechanisms have the potential to affect hydrology, floodplains,
and water quality in the Plan Area:
• Facilities maintenance and construction
• Trail and road use, maintenance, and construction
• Motorized vessel emissions
• Human use and waste disposal
• Climate change
Because the Plan Area includes few flood-prone areas and development is not
proposed in these areas, none of the alternatives would have impacts associated
with flooding and floodplains.
5.4.1.2 Impact Criteria (Hydrology and Floodplain/Water Quality)
• Beneficial Impact (NEPA): Impact that is detectable and positively alters
historical or desired hydrology and floodplain or water quality conditions.
Beneficial impacts would contribute to the enhancement of Plan Area
water resources or the public’s enjoyment of water resources, or would
advance Plan Area goals for water quality. There is no CEQA equivalent
to a NEPA beneficial impact.
• No Impact: Impact that cannot be detected.
• Minor Adverse Impact (NEPA): Impact that is detectable and within or
below regulatory standards or thresholds for water quality, and does not
interfere with Plan Area goals. This is equivalent to a CEQA less than
significant impact.
• Major Adverse Impact (NEPA): Impact that is detectable and significantly
and negatively alters historical baseline or desired water quality
conditions. Major adverse impacts would contribute to the deterioration of
water quality in the Plan Area, diminish the public’s enjoyment of Plan
Area resources, or interfere with Plan Area goals for water quality. A
major adverse impact is equivalent to a CEQA significant impact, which
would result from one or more of the following:
− Violate any water quality standard or waste discharge requirements;
− Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere with
groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer
volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level;
− Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area,
including through alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a
manner that would result in substantial erosion or siltation onsite or
offsite;
5-10 San Luis Reservoir SRA
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR