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

5. Environmental Analysis
Development Department 2012).Although the project includes measures to
minimize and mitigate for impacts to the San Luis Reservoir SRA and the local
visual environment, residual impacts would remain.
The individual community plans and the Quinto Solar PV Project may not result
in major adverse visual impacts to views from, and the viewshed around, San Luis
Reservoir SRA. Together, the projects would have the cumulative effect of
replacing views of open areas with those of development. Compared to the
community plans and the Quinto Solar PV Project, cumulative scenic/aesthetic
impacts from implementation of the San Luis Reservoir RMP/GP would be
minor.
5.9.5 Recreation
As described in Section 5.4.6.3, implementation of the San Luis Reservoir
RMP/GP action alternatives could have minor impacts on recreation as a result of
disruptions from temporary construction activities, addition of new activities and
facilities, and management of boat density levels.
Implementation of the Santa Nella Community Specific Plan (Section 3.3.2),
Villages of Laguna San Luis Community Plan (Section 3.3.4), and Fox Hills
Community Specific Plan (Section 3.3.5) can be expected to increase visitation to
existing recreational facilities, including San Luis Reservoir SRA. Together, full
buildout of the three community plans would add approximately 70,000 people to
the local population (Santa Nella Community Specific Plan, 18,941; Villages of
Laguna San Luis Community Plan, 44,773; and Fox Hills Community Specific
Plan, 7,184).
Substantial development in these areas is not expected in the near future due to
current economic conditions. Of the three community plans, the only development
that has taken place as of July 2012 is in the Santa Nella Community Specific
Plan area, where 184 single-family homes have been completed. However, partial
or full implementation of these plans is reasonably foreseeable during the 25-year
planning horizon for the San Luis Reservoir RMP/GP. As development occurs,
visitation to San Luis Reservoir SRA can be expected to increase. For example,
the Villages of Laguna San Luis Community Plan includes a trail system linking
the community plan area to San Luis Reservoir SRA (Merced County Planning
and Community Development Department 2008c).
While each individual community plan may not result in the substantial physical
deterioration of San Luis Reservoir SRA, full buildout of the three plans would
increase recreation demand at San Luis Reservoir SRA. Each community plan
includes recreational facilities to minimize cumulatively considerable impacts to
recreation; however, residual cumulative impacts could remain. Compared to the
community plans, cumulative impacts to recreation from implementation of the
San Luis Reservoir RMP/GP would be minor.
San Luis Reservoir SRA 5-81
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR