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

4. Plan Overview
The FC Zones were defined based on the presence of existing roads as well as
camping, parking, boat launching, and other visitor facilities. The FC Zones are
the most active visitor use areas in the land-based management zones and where
the largest concentration of visitors will congregate. Many of these areas have
open landscape expanses consisting of grassland vegetation as well as sheltered
areas planted with native and non-native species to protect users from the summer
winds and heat. Except for the OHV Use Area FC Zone, these zones have a direct
physical connection to the water as well as open and framed views of the
associated reservoir.
The terrain in most FC Zone areas (except Los Banos Creek, San Luis Creek and
Dinosaur Point use areas) is relatively flat where existing facilities are located;
however, adjacent undeveloped portions of the FC Zones contain rolling terrain
with limited areas of isolated steepness.
4.3.5.2 Purpose and Intent
The intent of the FC Zone is to provide visitor information, Plan Area orientation,
and the most active visitor activities within and around the existing developed
portions of each zone. New visitor restroom facilities and other structures,
campsites, concessions, recreational vehicles and horse trailers, and expanded
day-use facilities will be primarily located within this zone, along with associated
utilities such as electrical, water, and sewer. Additionally, if a new visitor’s center
is not incorporated within the AO Zone because of unforeseen constraints, it can
be sited within the FC Zone. The intent is also to cluster proposed development
within and around the existing development to ensure that large expanses of open
space are left in a natural state, and that existing open vistas remain uninterrupted.
In accordance with Goal OPS-S1, housing for staff or seasonal workers may be
sited in the FC Zone.
4.3.5.3 Resource Goals
The resources associated with the FC Zone are native vegetation, wildlife habitat,
streams, rolling topography and scenic, open vistas, and cultural resources. Future
development in this zone should manage and protect these resources through
minimal disturbance, and sensitive siting and architecture of new structures. New
facilities should be clustered in and around existing development where feasible,
and sprawl into undeveloped portions of the zone should be avoided where
feasible. Development along the shoreline areas should minimize physical and
visual interruption of open water views. Native vegetation and indigenous species
should be planted, if possible, where new plantings are proposed and to replace
dead or dying trees.
4.3.5.4 Land Use
The FC Zone will accommodate the majority of the visitor facilities and activities,
and active uses such as camping and any future concessions. This zone is where
visitors will first be oriented to the Plan Area and then embark on their choice of
recreation. Visitor options available in this zone include use of trails for horses,
hikers, or mountain bikers; departure to camps in the BC Zone; camping for tents
San Luis Reservoir SRA 4-39
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR