SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTSB. LAND USE1.1 RECREATIONAL USES•Individual access to existing internal Watershed roads and fire roads is not permitted. All accessto internal roads is by group permit, and groups must be accompanied by volunteer leaders.Existing recreational uses are located primarily in the central and northern portions of theWatershed. SFPUC currently leases approximately 3,800 acres to the East Bay Regional ParkDistrict (EBRPD) as part of the 6,858 acre Sunol Regional Wilderness. The Sunol RegionalWilderness includes more than 26 miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails. EBRPDfacilities include picnic areas, group and backpack camps, a visitor’s center, and equestrianfacilities. The Ohlone Regional Wilderness is located to the east of the Sunol RegionalWilderness and currently contains 9,736 acres of land and has more than 42 miles of hiking andequestrian trails. EBRPD facilities include backpack camps and Camp Ohlone, a group camp (byreservation). Collectively, the Sunol Regional Wilderness and the Ohlone Regional Wildernessare known as the Sunol-Ohlone Regional Park. Approximately 200,000 persons per year use thecombined recreation areas. The intention of the Alameda Watershed Management Plan is toprovide for the continuation of trail use on the trails managed by EBRPD. Trails on theWatershed are rugged; therefore, the intensity of use is low during the hot, dry summer. TheSunol Valley Golf Course is located in the northern portion of the Alameda Watershed, north ofI-680, and is used by approximately 88,000 persons per year.Recreational uses located adjacent to the Watershed include the following:•! Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park (3,999 acres) – EBRPD lands located off FoothillBoulevard north of Sunol; developed with 20 miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails.Facilities include picnic areas and equestrian facilities.• ! Del Valle Regional Park (4,311 acres) – EBRPD lands located on Del Valle Boulevard,south of Mines Road; developed with camping, swimming, picnic areas, and windsurfingand boating facilities as well as more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.This park is contiguous with the Sunol-Ohlone Regional Park.•! Mission Peak Regional Preserve (2,999 acres) – EBRPD lands located off Mill Creek Road,off Mission Boulevard in Fremont; developed with more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, andequestrian trails. Facilities include picnic areas and equestrian facilities. This preserve iscontiguous with the Sunol-Ohlone Regional Park.! Ed R. Levin County Park (1,544 acres) – Santa Clara County lands located off CalaverasRoad in Milpitas; developed with 15 miles of hiking and equestrian trails as well asboating, fishing, and volleyball facilities. Spring Valley Golf Course is also located withinthis park.• EBRPD has proposed a trail segment from Sunol to Pleasanton Ridge as part of the CalaverasRidge Trail. This trail would connect Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park and the Sunol RegionalWilderness with a hiking trail west of Calaveras Road. This trail would pass through secondaryWatershed lands and the Sunol Valley. In addition, EBRPD has a land banked parcel located tothe west of the Watershed and the Town of Sunol. This parcel is currently undeveloped andNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan III.B-3 ESA / 930385January 2001