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

Appendix C. Public Involvement Program
or San Luis. Leo responded that there are no planned surveys. Robert King asked about the
relationship between the General Plan process and the USFWS HCP process and whether
Pacheco State Park or the San Luis Reservoir would consider providing kit fox corridors. Leo
responded that the General Plan team will be working with USFWS to preserve existing corridors
but that the team has not yet considered formally becoming part of the HCP process. Donna
added that the planning team will consult with the USFWS and that Joanne Karlton of State Parks
is working closely on the HCP and the kit fox corridor. Robert King added that Merced County
would like to see State Parks partnering with the County on the HCP. Leo thought this would be
a logical partnership. Bob Epperson added that Reclamation has been looking to acquire land in
the area to facilitate the HCP process.
Warren Wulzen described the cultural resources at the San Luis Reservoir SRA. Forty-eight
Native American sites have been recorded along the upper level of the San Luis Reservoir while
32 were within the reservoir area. Five were destroyed or inundated and 24 are below the top pool
so they are flooded part of the year. One of the sites is on the O'Neill Forebay. Ten sites have
been recorded at the Los Banos Reservoir. DPR needs to treat the SRA sites differently than those
at Pacheco because the SLR is federally owned and therefore subject to NEPA Section 106
requirements. Warren also described that the historic resources of the dam and the quarry could
help interpret the construction of the California Water Project. There are no paleontological
resources, despite the name Dinosaur Point, although a few mastodon tusks were found during
construction, as well as some early marine shell deposits.
Open House
Lunch was provided and all participants had an opportunity to mingle and ask individual
questions.
Presentations
It was suggested that some of the groups and individuals present might want to give an overview
of how they use the facilities and state any recommendations or requests that they may have.
Bruce Hochuli, San Luis Sailboarders Safety Patrol (SLSSP)
The San Luis Reservoir area is popular because of great wind, water; and vehicular access.
Because of prevailing westerly winds, the majority of the windsurfers use the Medeiros use area
of the O’Neill Forebay. An occasional north wind attracts people to launch from Checkpoint 12.
The primary concerns are:
1. Leave parking near the water; it is good the way it is.
2. The submerged pipe near Medeiros has caused several injuries; windsurfers would like to
see it covered or removed.
3. Water levels on O'Neill Forebay should be maintained at a higher level. 219 is the
minimum that windsurfers can tolerate, particularly at "Catfish Flats" along the
southwestern part of the O'Neill Forebay.
4. Automated water level information would help inform windsurfers of when to use the
area.
5. The 10 mph speed limit should be marked near the main windsurfing area. Currently it is
marked only at the boat launching area.
6. The jet ski launch area is difficult to use and it would help to have a good ramp.
The SLSSP represents windsurfers and also bicycle riders and kayakers because these provide
alternative sporting opportunities when there is no wind. Part of the SLSSP goal is to provide
unofficial guidance regarding unique local conditions. For example, SLSSP will warn new users
about the overgrown weeds in August when water levels are low.
C-19 San Luis Reservoir SRA
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR