PCWA-L-397.Pdf
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Draft DISTRIBUTION FORMAT The text of the Existing Resource Information Reports and all associated tables, figures and appendices are provided on the enclosed CD. Text and tables are provided in their original Microsoft Word or Excel formats. Figures are provided electronically in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Note that several of the figures discussed in the Existing Resource Information Reports show the location of Project facilities with respect to roads and other landmarks. These figures are considered Non-Internet Public (NIP) and should not be posted on the Internet. Color paper copies of these NIP figures are enclosed in this distribution for reference, as follows: Figure 6.9-1. Developed Recreation Facilities in the Vicinity of the MFP. Includes an index map and 3 detailed sheets, as follows: • Sheet 1 of 3, Duncan Creek and French Meadows Reservoir Areas • Sheet 2 of 3, Hell Hole Reservoir and Long Canyon Area • Sheet 3 of 3, Ralston Afterbay Area Figure 6.9-2. Specially-designated Areas in the Middle Fork American Watershed. Figure 6.9-3. Dispersed Recreation Resources in the Vicinity of the MFP. Figure 6.10-1. Land Jurisdictions in the Middle Fork American River Watershed. Figure 6.10-2. USDA-FS Range Allotments in the Middle Fork American River Watershed. Figure 6.10-3. Fire History in the Middle Fork American River Watershed. Figure 6.11-1. (5 sheets) Visual Quality Objectives in the Vicinity of the MFP. Copyright 2006 by Placer County Water Agency Slipsheet_V1_Jul 06 TABLE OF CONTENTS [Please note: The Existing Resource Information Reports will be included as Chapter 6.0 in the Pre-Application Document. Therefore, the table of contents begins with 6.0 and not 1.0.] Page 6.0 Introduction (distributed in June 2006) 6.1 Description of the River Basin (to be distributed in August 2006) 6.2 Geology and Soils (distributed in June 2006) 6.3 Water Use (to be distributed in August 2006) 6.4 Water Quality (to be distributed in August 2006) 6.5 Fish and Aquatic Resources (distributed in June 2006) 6.6 Botanical and Wildlife Resources (distributed in June 2006) 6.7 Geomorphology (distributed in June 2006) 6.8 Riparian Resources (distributed in June 2006) 6.9 Recreation Resources 6.9.1 Information Sources ............................................................... 6.9-2 6.9-2 Overview of Recreation Resources in the Watershed ............ 6.9-3 6.9-3 Specially Designated Areas in the Watershed........................ 6.9-4 6.9.3-1 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System .............. 6.9-5 6.9.3-2 State Protected River Segments........................... 6.9-5 6.9.3-3 National Trails System .......................................... 6.9-6 6.9.3-4 Wilderness Areas.................................................. 6.9-7 6.9.3-5 Regionally or Nationally Important Recreation Areas..................................................................... 6.9-7 6.9.3-6 Other Protected Areas .......................................... 6.9-8 6.9-4 Developed Project Recreation Facilities................................. 6.9-8 6.9.4-1 French Meadows Reservoir Area.......................... 6.9-8 6.9.4-2 Hell Hole Reservoir Area..................................... 6.9-12 6.9.4-3 South Fork of Long Canyon Creek Area ............. 6.9-14 6.9.4-4 Ralston Afterbay Area......................................... 6.9-15 6.9-5 Estimated Recreation Use and Percent Capacity Reached at Project Recreation Facilities ................................................. 6.9-15 6.9-6 Dispersed Recreation........................................................... 6.9-15 6.9.6-1 Whitewater Boating on the Middle Fork American River ................................................... 6.9-16 Copyright 2006 by Placer County Water Agency i 6.0_Master TOC_V1_Jul 06 6.9.6-2 Whitewater Boating on the Rubicon River........... 6.9-18 6.9-7 Current and Future Recreation Needs Identified in Management Plans .................................................................................... 6.9-19 6.9-8 References ........................................................................... 6.9-20 6.10 Land Use 6.10.1 Information Sources ............................................................. 6.10-2 6.10-2 Overview of Land Use in the Middle Fork American River Watershed ............................................................................ 6.10-2 6.10-3 Land Management Plans...................................................... 6.10-3 6.10.3-1 Tahoe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan............................................... 6.10-3 6.10.3-2 Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan .............................................. 6.10-4 6.10.3-3 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendments............ 6.10-5 6.10.3-4 Placer County General Plan................................ 6.10-5 6.10.3-5 El Dorado County General Plan.......................... 6.10-6 6.10.3-6 Auburn State Recreation Area Interim Resource Management Plan............................................... 6.10-6 6.10-4 Land Use within the FERC Project Boundary....................... 6.10-6 6.10.4-1 Shoreline Buffer Zones ....................................... 6.10-7 6.10.4-2 Shoreline Management Plan............................... 6.10-7 6.10-5 Other Land Uses within the Watershed................................ 6.10-7 6.10.5-1 Recreation........................................................... 6.10-7 6.10.5-2 Timber Management........................................... 6.10-8 6.10.5-3 Grazing ............................................................... 6.10-8 6.10.5-4 Mining ................................................................. 6.10-8 6.10.5-5 Natural Resource Protection ............................... 6.10-9 6.10-6 Fire History ......................................................................... 6.10-10 6.10-7 Fuels Management............................................................. 6.10-10 6.10-7 References ......................................................................... 6.10-12 6.11 Aesthetic Resources 6.11.1 Information Sources ............................................................. 6.11-1 6.11-2 Overview of the USDA-FS Visual Management System ...... 6.11-1 6.11-3 Description of Existing Conditions ........................................ 6.11-3 6.11.3-1 Duncan Creek Area ............................................ 6.11-3 6.11.3-2 French Meadows Area........................................ 6.11-5 Copyright 2006 by Placer County Water Agency ii 6.0_Master TOC_V1_Jul 06 6.11.3-3 Hell Hole Area..................................................... 6.11-6 6.11.3-4 Long Canyon Area .............................................. 6.11-7 6.11.3-5 Interbay Area ...................................................... 6.11-8 6.11.3-6 Ralston Area ....................................................... 6.11-9 6.11-4 References ......................................................................... 6.11-11 6.12 Cultural Resources (distributed in June 2006) 6.13 Tribal Resources (distributed in June 2006) 6.14 Socioeconomics 6.14.1 Information Sources ............................................................. 6.14-1 6.14.2 Description of Existing Conditions ........................................ 6.14-2 6.14.2-1 Placer County Demographics ............................. 6.14-2 6.14.2-2 Key Industries and Employment in Placer County................................................................. 6.14-4 6.14.2-3 Placer County Government................................. 6.14-5 6.14.3 References ........................................................................... 6.14-8 7.0 Relevant Comprehensive Plans and Resource Management Plans 7.1 Description of Pertinent Comprehensive Plans.................................... 7.0-1 7.1-1 Rubicon River Wild Trout Management Plan.......................... 7.0-3 7.1-2 Public Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation in California ................................................................................ 7.0-4 7.1-3 Recreation Outlook in Planning District 3: An Element of the California Outdoor Recreation Resources Plan...................... 7.0-4 7.1-4 Recreation Needs in California............................................... 7.0-5 7.1-5 California Outdoor Recreation Plan - 1993............................. 7.0-6 7.1-6 The California Water Plan and the California Water Plan Update.................................................................................... 7.0-6 7.1-7 Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Valley Region, the Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin ...................................................................................... 7.0-7 7.1-8 Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan .................................................................. 7.0-8 7.1-9 Tahoe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan ........................................................................................ 7.0-9 7.1-10 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD)................................................................................... 7.0-10 Copyright 2006 by Placer County Water Agency iii 6.0_Master TOC_V1_Jul 06 7.1-11 Auburn State Recreation Area Interim Resource Management Plan ...................................................................................... 7.0-10 7.1-12 American River Water Resources Investigation: