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

5. Environmental Analysis
5.4.5.3 Environmental Evaluation
Facilities Expansion and Construction The action alternatives would allow for
the development of additional visitor facilities including day-use, camping,
shoreline and water surface facilities, maintenance, and staff facilities in the Plan
Area. The additional development of current use areas (with more facilities or a
change in size of existing facilities) could affect the Plan Area’s existing scenic
quality and character by reducing scenic vistas and open landscape character or
damaging scenic resources. In addition, new facilities have the potential to create
new sources of light or glare, which could affect day or nighttime views in the
area. Effects to scenic resources and aesthetics would vary by alternative as
follows:
• Alternative 1, the No Action/No Project Alternative, would not involve
expansion of existing facilities or construction of new facilities.
Alternative 1 would have no impact to scenic resources or aesthetics.
• Alternative 2 would include the fewest physical additions and visitor use
modifications of the action alternatives. Constructing a multipurpose
building for group events and interpretive programs at San Luis Creek Use
Area and expanding existing campgrounds at San Luis Creek, Los Banos
Creek, and Basalt use areas could have minor adverse impacts to scenic
resources, including new sources of light and glare. These facilities are not
anticipated to affect views from SR 152, a designated scenic highway.
Goals RES-S1 and RES-S5 and their associated guidelines (Section
4.2.1.1) would reduce visual impacts from new or expanded facilities,
although minor adverse impacts could remain.
• Alternative 3 would allow for several additional features and facilities that
have the potential to affect scenic resources and aesthetics. This
alternative would allow for larger expansions of campgrounds than
Alternative 2 (including 30 new tent sites at Dinosaur Point and up to 20
tent/RV sites on the South Shore of Los Banos Creek Reservoir);
expansion of the boat launch at San Luis Creek Use Area; and
construction of a ranger station, staff housing, and maintenance facilities
at Los Banos Creek Use Area. At the OHV Use Area, Alternative 3 would
provide for the addition of six primitive campsites, minor additions to
existing facilities such as shade ramadas, and potential future expansion of
the area if new property becomes available. Expansion of the OHV Use
Area would involve the construction and use of unpaved OHV trails on
adjacent undeveloped lands. The majority of the proposed development
under Alternative 3 would be in FC zones, where existing facilities are
concentrated. Nonetheless, these actions would have minor adverse
impacts to scenic resources and aesthetics, including new sources of light
and glare; minor changes in the Plan Area viewshed from SR 152, a
designated scenic highway; and increased visibility of human-made
features and reminders of human presence in a primarily undeveloped
environment, both from land and water. Goals RES-S1 and RES-S5 and
their associated guidelines would reduce visual impacts from new or
expanded facilities, although minor adverse impacts could remain.
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-47
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR