SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

I. SUMMARY1.0 INCREASED PUBLIC ACCESS AND USEUnder the Management Plan, several new public recreation facilities could be developed on theWatershed, including a Watershed Visitor Education Center, public recreation area, commercialsite, overnight nature study area, and new recreation trails. Most of the facilities would belocated in the Sunol Valley. These uses are designed generally as low intensity recreation.Operation of these facilities could result in potentially significant physical effects to Watershedresources, as summarized below.Geology and Soils. Increased use of existing hiking, bicycle, and horse trails can lead todeepening of existing trails and the development of “shortcut” trails that, over time and withsufficient surface water runoff, can become erosional channels. The experience of other openspace managers has shown that more serious degradation occurs on property where bicycles areallowed. Establishing new trails can also increase erosion. In addition, increased public use ofthe Watershed could lead to reduced slope stability in some areas. Management actions includedin the Management Plan would reduce these potential impacts to a less than significant level.Hydrology and Water Quality. Increased and more extensive public use of the Watershedcould indirectly affect water quality as a result of inadequate sanitation facilities, unauthorizedbody-contact with reservoir or creek waters, unauthorized use by domestic animals, unauthorizedfishing in reservoirs and creeks, littering, and increased potential for fire hazard. Depending onthe specific activity, public use could inadvertently result in degradation of water quality, eitherby adding contaminants to surface runoff or to seepage that eventually reaches groundwater. Inaddition, public use has the potential to adversely affect vegetation and soil, which could lead toincreased erosion and sedimentation, and indirectly affect water quality. Management actionsincluded in the Management Plan would reduce these potential impacts to a less than significantlevel.Natural Resources. Increased human disturbance, such as littering, excessive noise, orvegetation trampling, could result in wildlife harassment if the disturbance were intense and/orprolonged, the species sensitive, or the disturbance led to changes in wildlife or plant communitycomposition. In addition, increased public access and use could increase the density anddistribution of invasive plant species on the Watershed. Management actions included in theManagement Plan would reduce these potential impacts to a less than significant level.Fire Management. Increased public visitation of the Watershed could lead to increasedincidences of unauthorized uses, such as smoking and campfires/cooking fires. In addition, highvolumeoff-trail activity and other uses that occur outside designated areas could damagevegetation, resulting in an increase in dry litter that is easily ignitable. Management actionsincluded in the Management Plan would reduce these potential impacts to a less than significantlevel.Cultural Resources. Increased public access to and use of the Watershed could result in anincrease in disturbance of both known and unknown cultural resources. Depending on thelocation of new trails and facilities, this could include significant disturbance to resources duringNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan I-3 ESA / 930385January 2001