SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTSI. AESTHETICS1.0 SETTING1.1 SCENIC VIEWING OPPORTUNITIESThe Alameda Watershed lands encompass 36,000 acres of rolling grassland and native oakwoodland in northern Santa Clara County and southern Alameda County. These lands aregenerally located south of Alameda Creek (Niles Canyon) and east of the westernmost ridgelineof the Fremont Hills. For the most part, Watershed lands are relatively remote and not accessibleto or viewed by the general public. However, Watershed lands are visible from and form part ofthe Bay Area Ridgeland open space area as well as the Sunol Valley. A portion of the Watershedforms part of EBRPD’s popular Sunol Regional Wilderness. In addition, several major roads,such as I-680 and SR 84, provide viewing opportunities of a limited portion of the AlamedaWatershed lands.A portion of the Alameda Watershed lands are leased for a variety of uses, including cattlegrazing, plant nurseries, and sand and gravel quarries. These leased lands include areas alongI-680 in Alameda County and along SR 84 between the City of Fremont and the Town of Sunol.The leased lands and adjacent private lands along I-680 from San Antonio Creek (Sunol Valley)north to Pleasanton are in various stages of development. However, the Alameda Watershedlands consist primarily of undeveloped grassland hills and scattered oak woodlands.Particular features of interest include views of Calaveras Reservoir from Calaveras Road, theSunol Water Temple, and the narrow, forested Niles Canyon (see Figure II-2). Key observationpoints have been identified based on federal, state, and county plans and include I-680, CalaverasRoad, Vallecitos Road, Geary Road, Mill Creek Road, and Sunol Water Temple. Roads wereidentified as key observation points based on current or proposed designation as scenic routes inappropriate state or county plans. Other use areas were identified based on their importance, usevolume, use duration, and size. These areas, discussed below under the heading Special UseAreas, typically include designated vista points, trails, parks, and secondary roads to and fromregional parks.Interstate 680I-680 is a major freeway that connects the South Bay communities of San Jose and Fremont withthe East Bay communities of Pleasanton and Walnut Creek and points beyond. In general,Watershed lands are viewed from the portion of I-680 from Mission Pass northeast through theSunol Valley to the southern edge of Pleasanton. This portion of I-680 is designated as a State ofCalifornia Scenic Highway. In response, Alameda County has adopted policies regarding theregulation of land use, development density, and signage to maintain scenic characteristics ofviews from the freeway. The Watershed lands in the relatively flat Sunol Valley are viewed fromI-680, as are the west-facing slopes of the hills on the eastern side of the Valley. To the north,the forested Pleasanton and Sunol Ridges form the western horizon.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan III.I-1 ESA / 930385January 2001