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

5. Environmental Analysis
could have short-term, minor adverse effects to vegetation. For Alternative
2, prudent siting of new trails and implementation of measures such as
those described in Section 5.4.3.4 would avoid or minimize potential
impacts.
• Alternative 3 would allow for the development of two multi-use trails
linking Basalt Use Area with Pacheco State Park and linking Dinosaur
Point with Pacheco State Park and the San Luis Wildlife Area, as well as
construction of a road from San Luis Creek Campground to Check 12 in
San Luis Creek Use Area. The construction of new trails through
undeveloped areas increases the potential for impacts to native vegetation
and habitat for special-status vegetation, and for the spread of invasive
species. Minor to major adverse effects to vegetation could result from
Alternative 3, but prudent siting of new trails and roads and
implementation of measures such as those described in Section 5.4.3.4
would reduce potential impacts to minor.
• Alternative 4 would allow for trails linking Basalt Use Area with Dinosaur
Point and Los Banos Creek Use Area with to Basalt Use Area. The trail
from Los Banos Creek Use Area has the potential to affect valley sink
scrub and sycamore alluvial woodland, if present (Table 2-17 and Map
6h), through vegetation removal during construction and habitat
disturbance from hikers and regular trail maintenance. This alternative
would also include a road from San Luis Creek Campground to Check 12
in San Luis Creek Use Area. Minor to major adverse effects to vegetation
could result, but prudent siting of new trails and other facilities and
implementation of measures such as those described in Section 5.4.3.4
would reduce potential impacts to minor.
Wildlife
• Alternative 1 would not construct or allow for any additional trails or
roads in the Plan Area, but standard maintenance activities such as trail
grading would continue. These activities could have short-term, minor
adverse effects to wildlife, but to a lesser degree than the other action
alternatives.
• Alternative 2 would not construct or allow for any additional trails or
roads in the Plan Area, but as noted above, roadwork would be conducted
to address flooding near the entrance station to Los Banos Creek Use
Area. This activity could have minor to major adverse effects to San
Joaquin whipsnake and western pond turtle (Map 6f). Standard
maintenance activities such as trail grading would continue, which could
have short-term, minor adverse effects to wildlife, but to a lesser degree
than the other action alternatives.
• Alternative 3 would allow for the development of two multi-use trails
linking Basalt Use Area with Pacheco State Park and linking Dinosaur
Point with Pacheco State Park and with the San Luis Wildlife Area. The
creation of new trails could lead to the disturbance of wildlife habitat, and
human presence on new trails along the shoreline of San Luis Reservoir
5-36 San Luis Reservoir SRA
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR