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

4. Plan Overview
offering activities that enable students to investigate, research, and participate in
interactive learning. Based on the issues, opportunities, and constraints defined
and described in Section 3.4, goals and guidelines are presented in this section
under the following categories:
• Visitor Uses/Opportunities and Facilities (VIS-F)
• Trails (VIS-T)
• Interpretation and Education (VIS-I)
• Concession Opportunities (VIS-C)
4.2.2.1 Visitor Uses/Opportunities and Facilities (VIS-F)
Visitor facilities have been developed on the Plan Area lands since the 1970s,
pursuant to the first General Plan. As the regional population has increased, the
use of the facilities has also increased. Level of use varies in association with
seasonal limitations such as weather and water level fluctuations. The Plan Area
is the largest facility of its type within a short distance of the Bay Area and
surrounding, rapidly growing communities. Similar water-based recreation is
available at other Reclamation locations such as Millerton Lake, outside Fresno.
Visitor use and facilities need to be planned and developed to accommodate
growing populations while providing regional diversity and balancing the need to
conserve natural and cultural resources. The adjacent Pacheco State Park provides
uses that are not as prevalent in the Plan Area, including a trail network for
hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Henry Coe State Park, located
northwest of the Plan Area, with an entrance near Morgan Hill, provides extensive
hiking and backcountry camping.
Goal VIS-F1
• Maintain and provide new visitor facilities and uses that enhance
recreational enjoyment of the site’s history and character while avoiding
resource degradation.
Guidelines
• Explore the opportunity for a visitor’s center to orient and educate visitors
to the site, as well as increasing other, self-guided interpretive facilities
such as weather-proof displays and signage.
• Plan for recreational opportunities within a regional context and in
coordination with other plans (e.g., the Millerton Lake Resource
Management Plan, Pacheco State Park, and Merced County and Santa
Clara County parks) so that facilities are balanced within the region and
are compatible with the location and resources.
• Provide for a variety of day-use activities and overnight camping facilities
that accommodate visitors of varying abilities.
Goal VIS-F2
• Provide adequate shoreline and upland support facilities and management
at each reservoir and use area to address current and future demand for
San Luis Reservoir SRA 4-13
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR