3.8 Recreation
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3.8 RECREATION This chapter summarizes the regulatory and planning processes for recreation in the Tahoe Basin, describes existing recreation uses and facilities in the project vicinity, and presents an analysis of potential impacts of the proposed alternatives. It addresses impacts on recreation uses and facilities located in the study area and surrounding area of South Lake Tahoe. Consistency with TRPA goals and policies is presented in Section 3.2, Land Use,” Table 3.2-1. Cumulative recreation impacts are discussed in Section 3.16, “Cumulative Impacts.” The project effects on thresholds are described in Chapter 4, Section 4.6, “Consequences for Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities.” 3.8.1 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT REGULATORY SETTING Federal No Federal plans, policies, ordinances, laws, regulations, or executive orders related to recreation are applicable to the project. State Lake Valley State Recreation Area General Plan State Parks manages more than 270 park units, which contain the “finest and most diverse collection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources to be found within California” (State Parks 2008). The mission of California State Parks is “…to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation” (State Parks 2001:11). The study area includes Lake Valley SRA and a portion of Washoe Meadows SP; the area was divided into two units to allow for different management goals, including recreation. The Lake Valley SRA General Plan (General Plan) was prepared by State Parks to satisfy requirements of Public Resources Code Section 5002.2 and provide guidelines for long-term management and development of Lake Valley SRA (State Parks 1988). The plan summarizes all available information about the SRA, documents the planning process and relevant data applied in making land use decisions, and describes specific management and development proposals. At the time the plan was prepared in1988, the declaration of purpose for the unit states that designation of Lake Valley SRA “recognizes the significance of the unit in perpetuating an existing quality public golfing opportunity in the increasingly popular Tahoe Basin, where golfing demand far exceeds the opportunities” (State Parks 2008:34). The “Resource Policy Formulation” section of the plan outlines the declaration of purpose for Lake Valley SRA, focusing on two major considerations: ► The purpose of Lake Valley SRA is to make available to the people for their enjoyment and inspiration the 18-hole golf course and the scenic Upper Truckee River and its environs. ► State Parks shall balance the objectives of providing optimum recreational opportunities with maintaining the highest standards of environmental protection. In so doing State Parks shall define and execute a program of management within the unit that perpetuates the unit’s declared values, providing for golfing along with other compatible summer and winter recreation opportunities while restoring the natural character and ecological values of the Upper Truckee River, protecting its water quality, and protecting and interpreting significant natural, cultural, and scientific values. Upper Truckee River Restoration and State Parks/Reclamation/TRPA Golf Course Reconfiguration Draft EIR/EIS/EIS 3.8-1 Recreation Specific policy direction states that recreation allowed at Lake Valley SRA should take into account and conform to natural and cultural resource values, and the effect such recreation would have on public use and resources of the contiguous Washoe Meadows SP should be considered (State Parks 1988:4). Lake Tahoe Golf Course is an 18-hole, regulation-length course operated by American Golf under a 20-year concession agreement with State Parks. The agreement expired on March 31, 2009; however, American Golf continues to manage the golf course under the terms of the now expired agreement. The agreement will not be renewed until after a preferred alternative has been selected. Although the concession agreement is contractual rather than regulatory and has not yet been renewed, it is relevant because it contains operational requirements for the golf course, which American Golf is currently following. In keeping with the General Plan, the concessionaire contract (State Parks 1995) explicitly states: “Of prime importance under this contract is the requirement to balance the dual objectives of providing a quality golfing experience and protecting the ecologically sensitive Upper Truckee River and the natural environment of Lake Valley State Recreation Area.” A key consideration of State Parks with regard to the operation of the golf course is affordability. Section 7 of the concessionaire contract states, “It is the intent of the State under this contract to provide the general public with the opportunity to enjoy quality golfing and winter recreational opportunities at reasonable and affordable prices. Service to the public, with goods, merchandise, and services of the best quality and at reasonable charges, is of prime concern to the State…” Under terms of the concession contract, amended in 1995, a maximum green fee of $40.00 was considered by the State to be fair and reasonable at that time. Increases to this green fee benchmark are made based on changes in the California Consumer Price Index, or other extraordinary circumstances justified by the concessionaire and approved by the State. As of January 2010 the maximum rate of a green fee is $59.00. In addition, per the terms of the agreement, American Golf must allocate 5 percent of gross annual receipts to a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) fund, which is interest-bearing and administered by the concessionaire for capital improvements or resource management projects with direction by and approval of the State. The State may elect to receive all or part of the CIP funds, including accrued interest, as additional rent (HEC 2008 [Appendix E]). Revenues generated by Lake Tahoe Golf Course are important to State Parks. The revenue of Lake Tahoe Golf Course operations is the fifth largest source of concession revenue in the State Parks system (California State Parks, Fiscal Year 2006/07). Washoe Meadows State Park No general plan has been prepared for Washoe Meadows SP because it is an undeveloped unit. The purpose of Washoe Meadows SP is to preserve and protect a wet meadow area associated with Angora Creek and the Upper Truckee River at the southwestern side of the Tahoe Basin. The statement of purpose indicates that State Parks will preserve, protect, restore, interpret and manage the unit’s natural, cultural, and aesthetic resources, features and values of Washoe Meadows SP, making them available to the public for their educational, inspirational and recreational benefits. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Recreation planning, policy, and use in the Tahoe Basin are governed primarily by TRPA. TRPA implements its authority to regulate growth and development in the Lake Tahoe region through the Regional Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin (Regional Plan). The Regional Plan, adopted in 1987 and currently being updated, consists of several documents: Goals and Policies, Code of Ordinances, Plan Area Statements, Water Quality Management Plan, Regional Transportation Plan—Air Quality Plan, and Scenic Quality Improvement Plan. Chapter 5, “Compliance with Applicable Federal Laws and Executive Orders and State Laws and Regulations,” of this draft EIR/EIS/EIS provides additional information on TRPA and other agency regulatory and planning processes for the Tahoe Basin. State Parks/Reclamation/TRPA Upper Truckee River Restoration and Recreation 3.8-2 Golf Course Reconfiguration Draft EIR/EIS/EIS 1987 Regional Plan The 1987 Regional Plan had a 20-year scope and is currently being reviewed and updated through a collaborative effort led by TRPA. These agencies are working together to update several important environmental documents for the Tahoe Basin. These Regional Plan updates will guide land management, resource management, and environmental regulations in the Tahoe Basin over the next 20 years. The Regional Plan update is anticipated to be completed by 2011. TRPA is reevaluating nine environmental threshold carrying capacities (thresholds) it established previously to define the levels of environmental quality desired for the region. This includes recreation thresholds, addressed under “TRPA Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities” below. New research, science, and collaboration at the community level will contribute to development of the updated report. Regional Plan Goals and Policies The Goals and Policies portion of the Regional Plan establishes an overall framework for development and environmental conservation in the Tahoe Basin. Chapter V (Recreation Element) of TRPA’s Goals and Policies (TRPA 2004) covers dispersed recreational activities, urban recreation facilities, and developed recreation facilities. Chapter V established goals and policies of three subelements, including dispersed, developed, and urban recreation. Dispersed recreational activities include hiking, riding, cross-country skiing, and back country camping. Developed recreational facilities include day use areas, recreation centers, golf courses, participant sports facilities, and sport assembly. Urban recreation is normally provided in urban areas and is primarily intended to serve local needs. Dispersed recreation use normally takes place in the rural portions of the