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

4. Plan Overview
and recreational vehicles as well as group camps; alternative overnight lodging
such as cabins or yurts; and day uses such as guided walks, interpretive programs,
and nature study and research. In the Medeiros Use Area, where space is available
for new or expanded facilities, the FC Zone will accommodate structures such as
staff housing and/or a building for group events. Visitor use in this zone will be
the most intensive of any zone in the Plan Area, but it will be focused in
designated areas.
4.3.6 Backcountry Zone (BC)
4.3.6.1 Existing Features
The BC Zones cover the most land in the Plan Area, with a total of 7,800 acres
divided into seven areas. Two are DFG-managed wildlife areas that are
designated in their entirety as BC Zones. The 861-acre San Luis Wildlife Area, at
the western edge of San Luis Reservoir, is accessible via Dinosaur Point Road and
has a separate parking area. The wildlife area contains steep slopes, and motorized
access is limited to authorized vehicles. O’Neill Forebay Wildlife Area BC Zone,
on the eastern shore of the O’Neill Forebay, contains 621 acres and is accessible
via SR 33. The area has parking, trail access, riparian vegetation, and wetland
areas. The BC Zone does not contain the portion of the O’Neill Wildlife Area that
is used for water operations and designated as a joint use area. DFG manages both
wildlife areas to comply with its mission, rules, and regulations.
The other five areas designated as BC Zones are next to the FC Zones of the
major use areas. The Basalt Use Area BC Zone has 2,275 acres, is accessible
through the area’s FC Zone, and includes Basalt Quarry and the lands next to the
southeastern and western shore of San Luis Reservoir. The main visitor facilities
in this zone are hiking trails.
The 905-acre Dinosaur Point Use Area BC Zone is along the northeastern
shoreline of San Luis Reservoir. This area is currently not used, as it is accessible
only during low water levels via the Dinosaur Point Use Area FC Zone and from
certain turnout areas along SR 152. This BC Zone follows the shoreline closely
except in the vicinity of Honker Bay, where it flattens out and widens to form a
peninsula. Elsewhere, the zone slopes steeply toward the shoreline. Although this
area is physically connected to the San Luis Wildlife Area, it differs from that
area by the uses permitted.
The San Luis Creek Use Area BC Zone is accessible via the adjacent FC Zone
and consists of two areas totaling 792 acres. The first area is west of the entry
station, west of O’Neill Forebay and adjacent to Lower Cottonwood Wildlife
Area. It acts as a transition between the wildlife area and CSP-managed SRA
lands. A portion of the BC Zone also follows SR 152; however, it generally acts
as open buffer land adjacent to the highway. The second BC Zone in the San Luis
Creek Use Area is north of O’Neill Forebay and is accessible only by boat and
trail.
4-40 San Luis Reservoir SRA
Draft RMP/GP and Draft EIS/EIR