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

5. Environmental Analysis
Trail and Road Use, Maintenance, and Construction All of the alternatives
include use and maintenance of existing roads and trails, and some action
alternatives allow for construction of new roads and trails. Depending on the
distance between the roads or trails and the nearest Plan Area waterbody, use,
maintenance, and construction could result in minor adverse impacts to surface
waters due to erosion and the resulting temporary increase in turbidity at localized
areas. Impacts would be similar to those for facilities maintenance and
construction, discussed above. Paving road and trails could increase runoff by
adding impermeable surfaces. Spills of oil, grease, or other hydrocarbons from
motor vehicles or construction equipment could affect surface water, runoff, and
groundwater. The effects would vary by alternative as follows:
• Alternative 1, No Action/No Project, would not construct any new roads
or trails, but use of those roads and trails, along with standard maintenance
activities such as trail grading, would continue. These activities could have
minor, short-term adverse effects to water quality, but to a lesser degree
than the action alternatives.
• Alternative 2 proposes no additional trails. Alternative 2 and the other
action alternatives would implement a trails management plan, which
would be a beneficial impact that would not be realized under Alternative
1. The plan would incorporate best management practices (BMPs) to
maintain trails and minimize erosion, especially in areas where trail use
could affect water quality. All of the action alternatives also allow for
working with Caltrans to explore roadway access improvements, which, if
pursued, would be subject to Caltrans Statewide National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements and storm
water BMPs in addition to the measures proposed in Section 5.4.1.4.
Continued trail and road use and potential development of roadway
improvements with Alternative 2 would result in minor, short-term
adverse water quality effects. These effects would be greater than with
Alternative 1 but less than Alternatives 3 and 4. At Los Banos Creek Use
Area, the access road at the entry station would be improved under
Alternative 2 and the other action alternatives to address periodic flooding.
This would be a beneficial impact that would not be realized under
Alternative 1. Effects would be minimized to minor levels through
implementation of the trails management plan and measures such as those
described in Section 5.4.1.4.
• Alternative 3 includes new trails linking Basalt Use Area with Pacheco
State Park and Dinosaur Point with surrounding areas. Construction of a
trail through a currently undeveloped area has the potential for minor to
major effects. Implementation of the trails management plan would
minimize these effects to minor levels. Therefore, water quality effects
from continued trail and road use and development of new trails would be
minor and short-term. At San Luis Creek Use Area, Alternative 3 would
allow for a construction of a new road for vehicle access to the fishing
area at Check 12 as well as additional camping areas at the extreme
northwest edge of the San Luis Creek Campground. Construction and
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-13
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR