San Luis Reservoir and Forebay (DWR, June 1962)
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3. Planning Influences 3 Planning Influences This chapter presents a description of previous planning documents for the Plan Area as well as a summary of system-wide and regional planning influences. 3.1 Previous Plans When approved, the management direction and actions set forth in this Plan will replace those from a series of previous planning documents dating from 1962 to 1985. These documents are summarized as follows, and specific actions proposed in each document are described in Appendix A, Table A-1. • Recreation Land Use and Acquisition Plan, San Luis Reservoir and Forebay (DWR, June 1962). In response to projected increases in recreational demands (to exceed 4 million visitor-days annually by 2020), the report recommended the acquisition of 13 recreation areas totaling 3,308 acres, 768 acres of which would be specifically for recreation, and described potential uses for each area. The report also recommended the acquisition of a 300-foot-wide strip of land bordering the entire perimeter of the reservoir and forebay to ensure unhindered use of the shoreline and reservoir surface for recreation. Once acquired, recreational lands considered for leasing were to be protected for future recreational use. The plan was coordinated with the Division of Beaches and Parks, DFW, and Reclamation. • San Luis Reservoir and Forebay Recreation Development Plan (DWR, May 1965). This report to the State legislature presented a plan for recreational development to support budget requests to construct initial facilities. The report also provided future recreation projections from 1960 through 2020. • Los Banos Creek Reservoir Recreation Development Plan (CSP Division of Beaches and Parks, November 1966, revised December 1969). The plan recommended that the State legislature appropriate $486,650 from the General Fund for initial recreation development of the area from 1969 to 1970. The Plan also described future development for each decade up through 2020 to accommodate estimated use of 425,000 visitor-days annually. • Los Banos Reservoir Recreation Development Plan (DWR, April 1971). This report described general plans for recreational facilities to accommodate boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, riding and hiking. Initial recreation facilities would be constructed in 1970-1980 and would accommodate 425,000 recreation days of use annually by the year 2020. San Luis Reservoir SRA 3-1 Final RMP/GP and EIS/EIR 3. Planning Influences • Boating Plan, San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area (Department of Navigation and Ocean Development, March 1972). This plan addressed the development of boating facilities and information to support budget requests to construct facilities. The projected number of visitor days for each decade from 1960 through 2020 was calculated using existing use data at a comparable reservoir, Millerton Lake (310,000 visitor-days in 1960, reaching 4,058,000 visitor-days in 2020). The total maximum number of boats on the San Luis Reservoir at any time was set at 2,090 boats, and at O’Neill Forebay, 523 boats. • San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, General Development Plan (CSP, Design & Construction Division, November 1971, revised 1973). This plan focused on the development of O’Neill Forebay Unit for all-year recreational use due to gentler terrain, wind protection, and more sustained pool level than San Luis Reservoir. • Amendment to General Plan (CSP, December 1985). The amendment changed the undesignated land use of the northern portion of the O’Neill Forebay Unit to allow day and overnight use of the Meadows and Grant Line areas. 3.2 System-Wide Planning Planning for the Plan Area must be wide ranging to consider issues that cross regional, local, community, and Plan Area boundaries. Federal, state, county, and community agencies are responsible for providing oversight and review of various planning-related laws and policies, such as the NEPA, CEQA, ADA, as well as RWQCB and Air Quality Management District (AQMD) regulations. Additionally, numerous Reclamation and CSP resource management directives guide the Plan Area planning process. Most of the following apply to San Luis Reservoir SRA lands managed by CSP, as they have the greatest management responsibility in the Plan Area. However, each of the managing agencies has individual management directives that should be consulted during Plan implementation. These directives consist of the following: • Mission statements − Reclamation Mission and Vision Statement − CSP Mission Statement − DFW Mission Statement − DWR Mission Statement • California Public Resources Code • CSP policies, publications, and directives − CSP Operations Manual − CSP Administrative Manual − Planning Milestones for the Park Units and Major Properties Associated with the California State Parks System − Park and Recreation Trends in California 3-2 San Luis Reservoir SRA Final RMP/GP and EIS/EIR 3. Planning Influences − California Recreational Trails Plan—Phase I − California State Parks Accessibility Guidelines − California State Parks System Plan − Concessions Program Policies − California Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) 2002 − Central Valley Vision Draft Implementation Plan − Public Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation in California (2003) − California’s Recreation Policy • National Fire Plan • Cal Fire Vegetation Management Program Key directives are described in more detail below. 3.2.1 Mission Statements 3.2.1.1 Reclamation Mission and Vision Statement The Reclamation Mission Statement is “to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.” Additionally, their vision is “through leadership, use of technical expertise, efficient operations, responsive customer service, and the creativity of people, Reclamation will seek to protect local economies and preserve natural resources and ecosystems through the effective use of water.” 3.2.1.2 CSP Mission Statement The CSP Mission Statement is “to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.” 3.2.1.3 DFW Mission Statement The Mission of the DFW is “to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.” 3.2.1.4 DWR Mission Statement The Mission of the DWR is “to manage the water resources of California in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the State’s people, and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.” 3.2.2 California Public Resources Code The PRC defines the organization and general powers of CSP and related Public Resources agencies, as well as the general provisions, definitions, and committees for State Public Resources. San Luis Reservoir SRA 3-3 Final RMP/GP and EIS/EIR 3. Planning Influences 3.2.3 CSP Policies, Publications, and Directives 3.2.3.1 CSP Operations Manual/CSP Administrative Manual The CSP Operations Manual (last updated July 2008) and CSP Administrative Manual are CSP’s primary guidance documents. The manuals contain all CSP policies and procedures. The Interpretation and Education Chapter of the CSP Operations Manual was updated in March 2010 and gives policy and guidance on a broad range of interpretation-related topics. 3.2.3.2 Planning Milestones for the Park Units and Major Properties Associated with the California State Parks System This July 2009 report provided a record of CSP’s milestones and accomplishments in planning and land use management on state park lands throughout California. It includes historical information about park units and properties and related land use planning and management activities. The report also serves as an inventory of all state park units, lands, and properties, totaling 278, that constitute the State Park System. 3.2.3.3 Park and Recreation Trends in California This 2005 report detailed recreation trends affecting CSP units, programs, and services. It is intended to help decision makers conduct needs assessments, analyze market demands and niches, and identify programs that are likely to be successful so as to meet the changing and varied demand for recreation opportunities. The report notes that California’s rising population and changing demographics will be the overriding factors affecting future CSP recreation opportunities. The report details the increasing racial and cultural diversity of California; its growing senior and retiree population; new recreation habits among young adults; and the need to adapt recreation opportunities to the needs and conditions of California’s contemporary youth population. The report notes that as California’s population continues to grow and diversify, demands for a variety of recreation opportunities will be virtually unbounded despite limited resources. 3.2.3.4 California Recreational Trails Plan The California Recreational Trails Plan (Phase I) was prepared by CSP and released in June 2002. It identifies 12 trail-related goals and lists general action guidelines designed to reach those goals. The goals and their action guidelines will direct the future actions of CSP’s Statewide Trails Office regarding trail programs. This Plan is Phase I of a more comprehensive statewide trails plan (Phase II) to be developed. Phase I should serve