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

5. Environmental Analysis
reduce crossing SR 152 and O’Neill Forebay. Potential expansion of the
OHV Use Area could require new or expanded water and wastewater
treatment facilities. Where new hookups and other electrical connections
are proposed for Alternative 3, electric service facilities may need to be
expanded or added to accommodate the additional demand. As
development is proposed mainly in and around areas already serviced by
utility infrastructure, additional capacity for most utilities could be readily
available, and the need for extensive new distribution lines and associated
maintenance may be reduced. Although Alternative 3 would have a
greater potential to affect utilities than Alternatives 1 and 2, Alternative 3
would also upgrade and replace Plan Area utility infrastructure, which
could partly offset an increase in demand. Utility upgrades, benefits from
carbon-reducing measures such as solar panels, and implementation of
measures such as those described in Section 5.4.8.4 would reduce adverse
impacts, although minor impacts could remain.
• Alternative 4 proposes more intensive development of certain use areas,
including a restaurant and motel at Medeiros Use Area. Potential impacts
for Alternative 4 would range from minor to major and would be greater
than with Alternative 3. Utility upgrades, benefits from carbon-reducing
measures such as solar panels, and implementation measures such as those
described in Section 5.4.8.4 would reduce adverse impacts to minor levels.
Increased Demand for Emergency Services Projected increases in local and
regional population (Section 2.12.2.1) could result in additional demand for
recreation at Plan Area facilities. As a result, an increased demand for emergency
services could occur under all alternatives. The action alternatives include
additional features and facilities that could support increased visitor use in the
Plan Area. An increase in visitation beyond that associated with regional
population growth could result in a greater need for additional fire protection,
security, and medical aid. Project-level analysis of potential impacts on public
services would be performed as needed for the action alternatives. Effects to
public services would vary by alternative as discussed below.
• Alternative 1, the No Action/No Project Alternative, would not
accommodate or support additional visitors to the Plan Area. Additional
visitation resulting from population growth would result in the need for
additional fire protection, security, and medical aid. This alternative would
not provide for exploring ways to increase efficiency of emergency
services. This would be a minor to major adverse impact.
• Alternative 2 includes some enhanced or new facilities that could
accommodate additional visitors, primarily from adding capacity at
campgrounds at Basalt, San Luis Creek, and Los Banos Creek use areas.
This could result in an increased need for patrols, as well as the potential
need for increased fire and emergency services. Minor adverse impacts
could occur, which would be reduced by implementation of measures such
as those described in Section 5.4.8.4.
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-63
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR