United States Final Environmental Department of Agriculture Impact Statement Forest ServIce PacIfiC I ' Tallac Historic Site· Master Plan Southwest . Region Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit L 4 Ie I e GUSsT CJ I" ". 180' OIB4HS VI I Ov I I '"J1.lE TALLAC HISTOI2.IC .51l1i • u.~. IZlREST 5E12.VICI;;. • !,..AKE TAI-jOIa. BA5IN The United States Department of AgricuRure (USDA) Forest Service is a diverse organization committed to equal opportunity in employment and program delivery. USDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political affiliation and familial status. Persons believing they have been discriminated against should contact the Secretary, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, or call 202-720-7327 (voice), or 202-720-1127 (TDD). * Printed on recycled paper RECORD OF DECISION USDA·Forest Service Final Environmental Impact Statement Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit TaUac Historic Site Master Plan EI Dorado County, California The Decision It is my decision to implement the Update Master Plan - Boathouse Theatre with Restrooms (UMP-BTRR) alternative for the Tallac Historic Site Master Plan. Under this alternative, the 1989 Tal/ac Historic Site Master Plan directions will be updated to provide current direction forthe historic site including the conversion of the Valhalla boathouse to a small community theatre. Restrooms would be included within the Valhalla boat­ house. The Valhalla Main House could be used as a support facility for the community theatre. Mitigation measures and monitoring requirements for the implementation of this alternative are found in Chapter II.E & F and Appendix F of the FEIS. The Tallac Historic Site, Estates portion, is located on a 74 acre parcel of National Forest system land on the southwest shores of Lake Tahoe. The area is west of Camp Richardson, east olthe Kiva Picnic Area, and north of State Highway 89. The Site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 because it was determined to have historic significance. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Land and Resource Management Plan (1988) established the Site as a Special Interest Area emphasizing preservation and interpretation of its historic and natural resources for public enjoyment. Summary of the Major Provisions of the DeciSion To ensure the preservation of historic values and ambiance, and the protection of the historic and architectural qualities of the grounds and structures, any alterations to the Tallac Historic Site will be done in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, as well as Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The nine buildings proposed for removal in the 1980 Environmental Analysis and Record of Decision will be retained. These are the: BaldWin Estate Guest Cabin V, Baldwin Estate Guest Cabin VI, the Baldwin Estate Boathouse VII, the Pope Estate Cooler Shed X:V, the Pope Estate Powerhouse XI, the Pope Estate Artist's Cabin XII, the Pope Estate Honeymoon Guest Cabin XIII, the Valhalla Estate Twin Guest Cabins IV, and the Valhalla Estate Boathouse III. Recreation capacity for the Site will be managed to maintain 525 PAOT (Persons At One Time) limits. Some large special events will be permitted on site. The Valhalla Boathouse will be converted for use as a small community theatre. Approved uses olthe Valhalla Boathouse are: theatrical productions, plays, dance performances, concerts and musical • I productions, puppet shows, viewing of non-commercial films, lectures, meetings, and seminars. Weddings, ceremonies, social events such as parties and reunions, religious services, political activi­ ties, etc. are not allowed and should be scheduled at the adjacent Valhalla Main House. The serving of beverages and prepared snacks limited to patrons attending the listed, approved events is allowed; use of the Boathouse as a cafe or food/beverage. service facility is not permitted. The interior of the Valhalla Main House is designated as the space for any and all support functions related to the approved uses of the Valhalla Boathouse. These support functions include dressing/ changing rooms, prop storage, stage set storage, and staff/performer restrooms. Due to visual and historic impacts, use of outside, exterior spaces for these support functions Is not permitted. In accordance with the findings of the Biological Evaluation for the EIS, use of the boathouse as a community theatre is prohibited from October 15 to March 15 until completion of a study to determine winter disturbance potential to bald eagles. This stUdy was instigated in 1992 and should be completed by 1995. Upon completion of the stUdy, the non-use period will be re-evaluated. Special Use Permit requirements for the use of the Valhalla Boathouse as a community theatre will stipulate that at least 2 days per week and 2 weekends per month be set aside for use by community groups and organizations other than the permittee. These dates will be made available for reservation at least 18 months in advance and will not be filled for other uses prior to 60 days before the date. These groups and organizations will adhere to the fee schedule established by the permittee. Parking will be increased by 13 spaces. 43 additional spaces will be made available in the administra­ tive parking lot near the Pope Barn at such time current administrative uses are relocated. The total public parking, then, would be 88 spaces. Should the boathouse theatre project become operational prior to the availability of the administrative parking area, either the capacity of the theatre will be reduced or alternative forms of transportation required. Alternative forms of transportation will be required for ANY activity or event which exceeds available parking at the Site. Agency pOlicies and regulations requires the Forest Service to determine whether sufficient competi­ tive interest exists to issue a prospectus for a Special Use Permit and to issue a prospectus whenever taxpayer investment exceeds $100,000. Because taxpayer investment in the Valhalla Boathouse theatre conversion project will exceed $100,000 when completed, the Forest Service is required to issue a prospectus and solicit bids for the use of buildings and grounds under Special Use Permit when the current Permit with the Tahoe Tallac Association expires (12/97). The intent olthe prospectus is to obtain the best qualified permittee as well as an equitable return to the United States. Fees for the Permit will be based on appropriate Forest Service Manual regulations and policies at the time for Granger-Thye authorizations. The current permit period will be used to provide use information for future fee purposes. Reasons for Decision and other Alternatives Considered The Update Master Plan - Boathouse Theatre with Restrooms (UMP-BTRR) alternative was chosen because it best meets the purpose and need of the FEIS, i.e. implementation of the 1989 Tallac Historic Site Master Plan, and the management direction described in the LTBMU Land and Resource Management Plan. Com­ pared to the other alternatives that also implemented the 1989 Tallac Historic Site Master Plan, this alternative allows for theatre conversion but minimizes alterations to the historic fabric, character, and ambiance of the exterior of the Valhalla boathouse, the Heller Estate, and the Tallac Historic Site as a whole. The provision • I 11 allowing restrooms inside the Valhalla boathouse is convenient to persons attending events at the Valhalla boathouse. The No Action alternative was not selected because it did not meet the purpose and need of this analysis, i.e. implementation of the 1989 Tallac Historic Site Master Plan. No further adaptive uses of facilities or site development would occur. The Historic Preservation and Interpretation (HPI) alternative was not selected because it did not meet the purpose and need of this analysis, i.e. implementation of the 1989 Tallac Historic Site Master Plan, nor does it follow the direction described in the L TBMU Land and Resource Management Plan, I.e. provide for communi­ ty and cultural arts activities at the site. The Update Master Plan - Boathouse Theatre (UMP-BT) alternative, identical to the selected alternative with the exception of the provision for restrooms within the Valhalla boathouse, was not chosen because the convenience of restrooms within the boathouse outweighed their availability at the Valhalla Main House. The Update Master Plan - Boathouse Theatre with Addition (UMP-BTA) alternative was not chosen because the signHicant adverse impacts upon the heritage resources of both the interior and exterior of the Valhalla Boathouse, the Heller Estate National Register property, and the Tallac Historic Site as a whole were considered unacceptable. The Update Master Plan - Boathouse Theatre with Addition and Restrooms (UMP-BTARR) alternative was not chosen because the signHicant adverse impacts upon the heritage resources of both the interior and exterior of the Valhalla Boathouse, the Heller Estate National Register property, and the Tallac Historic Site as a whole were considered unacceptable. The Update Master Plan - Boathouse Theatre with Larger Annex (UMP-BTLA) alternative was not selected because the signHicant adverse impacts upon the heritage resources of both the interior and exterior of the Valhalla Boathouse, the Heller Estate National Register property, and the Tallac Historic Site as a whole were considered unacceptable.