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

5. Environmental Analysis
have a one-star, two-star, or three-star label (see Section 2.5.1.2).
Enforcement measures will be specified in the boating management plan.
Human Use and Waste Disposal Recreational use in the Plan Area generates
human waste. Possible sources of human waste pollution include developed
campsites, primitive campsites, portable restrooms, and privately owned portable
toilets, as well as body contact with reservoir waters. New or expanded facilities
could accommodate a greater number of visitors. Additional campsites and
restroom/toilet facilities would result in additional human waste. An increase in
body contact with reservoir water from additional visitation has the potential to
increase levels of coliform bacteria during periods of high visitation such as
weekends and holidays.
These effects would vary by alternative as follows:
• Alternative 1, No Action/No Project, would not increase the number of
campsites, add restroom/toilet facilities, or propose new or expanded
facilities that could accommodate additional visitors and could result in
additional human waste and body contact. The potential for minor adverse
water quality impacts associated with human waste and body contact
would be lower than with the action alternatives.
• Alternative 2 would allow for adding up to 30 tent sites each at Los Banos
Creek and San Luis Creek use areas. The additional camping capacity
would accommodate more visitors and could result in additional human
waste and body contact. This would slightly increase the potential for
minor adverse water quality impacts compared with Alternative 1. Effects
would be minimized to minor levels through implementation of measures
such as those described in Section 5.4.1.4.
• Alternatives 3 and 4 would allow for the greatest increase in camping and
day use capacity, and include additional restroom facilities at Dinosaur
Point, Medeiros, and Los Banos Creek use areas. The additional camping
and overnight lodging, restrooms, and day use capacity would
accommodate more visitors than the other alternatives. The resulting
increase in human waste and body contact would increase the risk for
water quality impacts compared to Alternatives 1 and 2; however,
potential adverse impacts would remain minor. Effects would be
minimized to minor levels through implementation of measures such as
those described in Section 5.4.1.4.
Climate Change As described in Section 2.2, San Luis Reservoir levels vary by
year and season and decline by an average of more than 100 feet from the late
winter to summer months. The fluctuation in reservoir levels requires a system of
ramps that are operated to allow boat and water recreation access to the reservoir
as water levels decline. This allows recreation access at even the lowest lake
levels.
In the last 25 years, there have been two years (1989 and 2008) when droughts
caused reservoir levels to be drawn down over 180 feet below normal high water
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-15
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR