SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSESC. CLARIFICATIONS/EIR FORMATComment C-1: ‘The District currently operates five regional parks and other large “land banked”properties which are within or adjacent to the Alameda Creek Watershed that could be potentiallyaffected by SFPUC’s Plan. Many of these lands are cooperatively managed with several wateragencies. The Draft EIR on page III.B-3 provides a brief overview of these facilities, however itunderstates the size of these parks and extent of facilities.’ (East Bay Regional Park District)Response: In response to this comment, text on DEIR page III.B-3 of the Land Use Section hasbeen revised to incorporate information provided by the East Bay Regional Park District:1.1 RECREATIONAL USESIndividual access to existing internal Watershed roads and fire roads is not permitted.All access to internal roads is by group permit, and groups must be accompanied byvolunteer leaders. Existing recreational uses are located primarily in the central andnorthern portions of the Watershed. SFPUC currently leases more than 3,600approximately 3,800 acres to the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) as partof the 6,858 acre Sunol Regional Wilderness. The Sunol Regional Wildernessincludes more than 26 miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails. EBRPDfacilities include picnic areas, group and backpack camps, a visitor’s center, andequestrian facilities. and the The Ohlone Regional Wilderness is located to theeast of the Sunol Regional Wilderness and currently contains 9,736 acres of landand has more than 42 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. EBRPD facilitiesinclude backpack camps and Camp Ohlone, a group camp (by reservation).C(collectively, the Sunol Regional Wilderness and the Ohlone RegionalWilderness are known as the Sunol-Ohlone Regional Park). Approximately200,000 persons per year use the combined recreation areas. The Sunol RegionalWilderness includes multiuse trails for hikers, equestrians, and bikes. Trails in theOhlone Regional Wilderness are designated for hikers only, with the exception of theOhlone Wilderness Trail, which accommodates both hikers and equestrians (access tothis trail is by permit only and bikes are prohibited). The intention of the AlamedaWatershed Management Plan is to provide for the continuation of thesetrail uses onthe trails managed by EBRPD. Trails on the Watershed are rugged; therefore, theintensity of use is low during the hot, dry summer. The Sunol Valley Golf Course islocated in the northern portion of the Alameda Watershed, north of I-680, and is usedby approximately 88,000 persons per year.Recreational uses located adjacent to the Watershed include the following:! Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park (1,7003,999 acres) – EBRPD lands located offFoothill Boulevard north of Sunol; developed with 1020 miles of hiking,equestrian, and biking trails. Facilities include picnic areas and equestrianfacilities.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.13 ESA / 930385