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

5. Environmental Analysis
recreation experience for visitors near construction areas. In most cases,
construction would take place in FC Zones, where activity rather than quiet and
passive recreation is typical (Section 4.3.5). Construction-related effects would be
minor under all alternatives, primarily because improvements would be planned
to take place during off-peak times. Some minor adverse impacts would remain
and would be greater for Alternatives 3 and 4 than for Alternatives 1 and 2.
Addition of New Recreation Activities and Facilities Recreational
opportunities are determined by the physical infrastructure available to support
recreational activities, access to recreational resources, and the services provided
in the Plan Area. Over time, the opportunities relative to increasing demand (from
regional population growth, for example) will decline without proportionate
increases in recreational resources. The quality of visitor experiences may differ
based on the user group in question. However, impacts to recreational experiences
are determined by the quality of the available resources and settings provided in
the Plan Area and the density of recreational use.
Under the No Action/No Project Alternative (Alternative 1), management would
basically maintain the status quo. Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 provide for a range of
increases in the amount of recreational facilities and services and variation in
recreational experiences at the Plan Area, with Alternative 2 representing the
lowest increase and Alternative 4 representing the highest increase. At the low
end of the range (Alternative 2), the amount of facilities, services, and
opportunities allowed under the Plan may be perceived as insufficient by those
seeking a more active and varied recreation experience, whereas the same amount
may be considered optimum for those seeking a more passive or primitive
experience. At the high end of the range (Alternative 4), the Plan would allow for
a substantial expansion in recreational facilities, services, and opportunities,
which would benefit those seeking a more active and varied recreation experience
but could compromise recreational quality for those seeking a more passive or
primitive experience. Alternative 3 is intended to balance the quality of
recreational experiences with opportunities for various user groups.
The effects of adding new recreation activities and facilities would vary by
alternative as follows:
• Alternative 1, No Action/No Project, would not add recreational facilities
or activities, and management zones would remain the same throughout
the Plan horizon. Basic infrastructure and operational improvements
would be implemented to comply with applicable laws and regulations, as
under all alternatives, and any increase in demand and visitor use would
be accommodated at a minimal level. Alternative 1 would not fully satisfy
Goal VIS-F1, which includes providing new visitor facilities and uses that
enhance recreational enjoyment of the Plan Area while avoiding resource
degradation. Over the course of the Plan horizon, regional population
growth could result in demand being exceeded in more locations and more
frequently than at present. The likelihood of visitors being turned away or
having lower-quality recreational experiences would be higher than with
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-51
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR