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

5. Environmental Analysis
specific mitigation measures will be developed and implemented on a project-byproject
basis, if mitigation is necessary.
5.4.6 Recreation
5.4.6.1 Impact Summary
The following mechanisms have the potential to affect recreation in the Plan
Area:
• Temporary construction activities at camping and recreation facilities
• Addition of new recreation activities and facilities
• Management of boat density levels
• Climate change
5.4.6.2 Impact Criteria (Recreation)
• Beneficial Impact: The impact of the action is positive. There is no CEQA
equivalent to a NEPA beneficial impact.
• No Impact: The impact is at the lower level of detection; there would be
no measurable change.
• Minor Adverse Impact: The impact is slightly adverse, but detectable;
there would be a small change. This impact category is equivalent to a
less-than-significant impact under CEQA.
• Major Adverse Impact: The impact is adverse and severe; there would be a
highly noticeable, long-term or permanent measurable change. A major
adverse impact on recreation would indicate a marked decline in the
quality or quantity of opportunities to participate in a recreation activity as
a result of implementing an alternative. Therefore, to determine whether
an impact is major, this discussion considers the effect of an alternative on
recreational facilities, the setting and physical resources, and use density.
A major adverse impact is also equivalent to a CEQA significant impact,
which would result from the following: 11
- Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and
regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial
physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
5.4.6.3 Environmental Evaluation
Visitors to the Plan Area participate in a wide variety of activities. Popular waterbased
recreation includes fishing, boating, windsurfing, swimming, water skiing,
and personal watercraft use. Camping, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding,
seasonal hunting, and wildlife viewing are also common. Under each of the
alternatives described in Section 4.4, opportunities for recreationists to engage in
any or all of these activities depend on: 1) the availability of appropriate facilities
11 CEQA also identifies the following as an impact criterion for recreation: “Does the project
include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities
which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?” This question as it pertains to
other environmental resource areas is analyzed throughout Chapter 5 of this document.
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-49
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR