DON PEDRO HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC NO. 2299 FINAL LICENSE APPLICATION EXHIBIT E –ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT SECTION 3.0 (3.10 to 3.12) THROUGH SECTION 8.0 SECTION 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 3.10 Aesthetic Resources 3.11 Cultural Resources 3.12 Socioeconomic Resources SECTION 4.0 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION SECTION 5.0 DEVELOPMENTAL ANALYSIS SECTION 6.0 CONCLUSIONS SECTION 7.0 LITERATURE CITED SECTION 8.0 CONSULTATION RECORD 3.0 Environmental Analysis 3.10 Aesthetic Resources 3.10.1 Existing Environment The Don Pedro Project is located in western Tuolumne County on the Tuolumne River, about 40 miles east of the City of Modesto and 26 miles northeast of the City of Turlock, both in Stanislaus County. The Don Pedro Project is located in the Sierra foothills region, an area characterized by rolling hills, rural landscapes, native grasslands, and blue oak woodland. The Don Pedro Project consists of Don Pedro Reservoir, Don Pedro Dam and spillway, Don Pedro powerhouse, and a number of other, primarily recreation-related, facilities. Don Pedro Reservoir has a normal maximum water surface elevation of 830 ft msl and extends about 24 miles upstream from the dam. At maximum water surface elevation, the reservoir has a surface area of 12,960 ac and 160 miles of shoreline, including islands. Don Pedro Dam is an earth-and- rockfill structure with a reinforced-concrete upstream face approximately 580 ft high, with a top elevation of 855 ft. The Don Pedro powerhouse, located at the base of Don Pedro Dam, is a semi-outdoor, above-ground concrete powerhouse. Views of the Don Pedro Project Boundary are scenic due to the natural beauty of the Tuolumne River and Sierra foothills. Because residential and commercial development are not allowed within the Project Boundary, vegetation along the reservoir is generally well established and lands within the Project Boundary blend into the surrounding landscape. Figure 3.10-1 shows a typical spring reservoir view. However, Don Pedro Project facilities are structural elements that visually contrast with the surrounding rural or natural landscape, as described below. Figure 3.10-1. View across Don Pedro Reservoir from the intersection of Grizzly Road and New Priest Grade Road (March 2012). Exhibit E Page 3-233 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis All facilities and lands within the Project Boundary are owned by TID and MID, with the exception of 4,802 ac of federal lands administered by the BLM. These federal lands are part of a larger land unit managed by the BLM in accordance with the Sierra Resource Management Plan (SRMP). The BLM has identified the lands within the Project Boundary as Visual Resource Management (VRM) areas in the SRMP. In the SRMP, the BLM described the following goals for these lands: . protect and enhance the scenic and visual integrity of the characteristic landscape, and . maintain the existing visual quality of the Lake Don Pedro/Highway 49 viewshed and the Red Hills ACEC. In 2012, the Districts conducted a Visual Quality Study (TID/MID 2013a) to document current visual conditions of the Don Pedro Project as viewed from BLM lands during various times of the year and identify any adverse visual resource effects due to continued operation. The objectives of the study were to identify, map, and describe BLM inventories associated with Don Pedro Project facilities and features on land administered by BLM and document the Existing Visual Condition (EVC) of all facilities and features from associated viewsheds on land administered by BLM. The study area included Don Pedro Reservoir and the Tuolumne River upstream to Ward’s Ferry Bridge (Figure 3.10-2). The features and facilities listed below were assessed for visual quality. Greater detail regarding the delineation of the study area, basis of study site selection, and assessment methods used is included in the Visual Quality Study Report and associated appendices (TID/MID 2013a). Ward’s Ferry Bridge, . State Highway 49/120 Vista Point, . Moccasin Point Recreation Area, . State Highway 132, . BLM dispersed use areas, . Don Pedro Reservoir and Tuolumne River, . Fleming Meadows Recreation Area, . Don Pedro Dam and Powerhouse, . DPRA Headquarters and Visitor’s Center, . Don Pedro Spillway, and . Blue Oaks Recreation Area. Don Pedro Reservoir is operated between elevations 690 ft and 830 ft msl, depending on hydrologic, precipitation, and water management factors. A zone of exposed soil with sparse and/or low growing vegetation is evident in the drawdown zone. As reservoir surface elevation declines and the drawdown zone expands, the visual effect is often one of strong visual contrast Exhibit E Page 3-234 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis (TID/MID 2013a). Where the slopes are steeper, sandy brown soils are exposed; and where slopes are gentler, grasses and low vegetation become established. In some locations the reservoir drawdown exposes large rocky areas that tend to match rocky areas above the high water mark and therefore present little visual contrast. Exhibit E Page 3-235 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis Figure 3.10-2. Visual Quality Study area. Exhibit E Page 3-236 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis 3.10.1.1 Ward’s Ferry Bridge Ward’s Ferry Bridge is located in a steep canyon in the upstream portion of the study area (Figure 3.10-3). A whitewater boating take-out, which is used primarily from April through September, is located just upstream of the bridge. Looking up- and down-river from Ward’s Ferry Bridge, the effects of drawdown are evident on the steep slopes adjacent to the reservoir and present a strong visual contrast to the landscape outside the drawdown zone (TID/MID 2013a). Figure 3.10-3. View from Ward’s Ferry Bridge looking upriver (July 2012). 3.10.1.2 Moccasin Point Recreation Area Moccasin Point Recreation Area is located south of the Jacksonville Road Bridge. No Key Observation Points (KOPs) were established in the campground because there are limited views of the reservoir and it is not located on BLM land (TID/MID 2013a). However, KOPs were selected in four locations associated with dispersed recreation areas located on BLM land where either the reservoir or Moccasin Point Recreation Area can be seen from BLM administered lands (Figure 3.10-4). Views of the reservoir from these locations are considered favorable. Exhibit E Page 3-237 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis Figure 3.10-4. View from the end of Grizzly Road of houseboats and Moccasin Point Recreation Area boat ramp (March 2012). 3.10.1.3 Highway 49/120 and Vista Point Views from Highway 49/120 include Don Pedro Reservoir and BLM, District, and other private lands were recorded; Figure 3.10-5 depicts a sample view. The foreground is dominated by the reservoir, shoreline lands constitute the middle ground, and the background consists of steep foothill slopes. Hetch Hetchy pipeline can be seen to the east. This view of the reservoir is the one most often seen by people, i.e., typically those traveling to Yosemite National Park. A few residences can be seen when looking across the reservoir. The colors and shapes of these present weak visual contrasts to the surrounding terrain (TID/MID 2013a). The Jacksonville Road Bridge can be seen to the south, which presents a moderate to strong contrast, depending on lighting. During high water there is little to no visual contrast of the reservoir shoreline with the surrounding area. However, as reservoir water level decreases, the drawdown zone contrasts with the surrounding vegetation. This contrast, as seen from the Vista Point, was considered to be moderate when viewed in March and July 2012 (TID/MID 2013a). Exhibit E Page 3-238 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis Figure 3.10-5. View of Don Pedro Reservoir from Highway 49/120 Vista Point (July 2012). 3.10.1.4 State Highway 132 State Highway 132 runs east-west along the southern portion of the Don Pedro Project area, immediately adjacent to the Rogers Creek Arm of Don Pedro Reservoir. Although the reservoir can be seen along a short section (several hundred feet) of road, there are no views of facilities or recreation areas (TID/MID 2013a). 3.10.1.5 Fleming Meadows Recreation Area The Fleming Meadows Recreation Area is located on a peninsula, with views of Don Pedro Reservoir, the dam and spillway, a marina, and three houseboat mooring areas. The strong visual contrast of the houseboat mooring areas and marina are typical of recreation management areas on reservoirs (Figure 3.10-6). The long-range views of the dam and spillway result in a weak visual contrast (TID/MID 2013a). When the reservoir is below full pool, the drawdown zone can be seen, resulting in a moderate visual contrast (TID/MID 2013a). Exhibit E Page 3-239 Final License Application April 2014 Don Pedro Hydroelectric Project 3.0 Environmental Analysis Figure 3.10-6. View from campsite A19 at Fleming Meadows Recreation Area looking east at Don Pedro Reservoir and houseboat marina (March 2012). 3.10.1.6 Don Pedro Dam Don Pedro Dam can be viewed directly in the foreground from the DPRA Headquarters and Visitor’s Center (Figure 3.10-7). The dam can also be viewed from the Blue Oaks Recreation Area. At both locations, the dam presents a strong visual contrast to the surrounding natural landscape (TID/MID 2013a). Because the BLM’s Visual Resource Objective (VRO) maps were developed with the Don Pedro Dam present, the continued presence of the dam is consistent with BLM’s objective of retaining the existing character of the landscape (TID/MID 2013a).