5.14 recreation - Inyo County Website

Transcription

5.14 RECREATION
This section of the environmental impact report (EIR) describes and evaluates potential impacts to
existing and future parks and recreation facilities in Inyo County.
5.14.1
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Inyo County’s mountains and valleys provide a variety of recreational opportunities. Most of the land in
the County is under public ownership, and public agencies have developed campgrounds, recreation
areas, parks, and wilderness areas, which focus on the unique recreational opportunities within Inyo
County.1
The proposed Project consists of combined use-routes for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) use throughout
Inyo County including the City of Bishop for non-street-legal OHV use under certain conditions.
Parks and Recreation Areas
Public Parks and Recreation Facilities
Table 5.14-1, Parks and Recreation Facilities, illustrates the parks operated by the County and the City
of Bishop.
Inyo County Parks and Recreation
The Inyo County Parks and Recreation Department manages and maintains several parks and
campgrounds throughout the County. Within Inyo County, there are approximately 139 acres of
parkland, including Millpond Recreation Area, Izaak Walton Park, Starlite Park, Mendenhall Park, Dehy
Park in Independence, Independence Park, and Spainhower Park (formerly Lone Pine Park). 2
Figure 5.14-1, Parks and Recreation Facilities within Inyo County, shows the location of the parks
within the upper Owens valley area of the County.
City of Bishop
The City of Bishop’s Community Development Department manages parks and recreation services for
Bishop. The City maintains two parks including Bishop City Park and Bishop Dog Park (which is located at
Bishop City Park).
1
2
Inyo County General Plan, “Recreation Element” (2001).
Inyo County Planning Department, Elaine Kabala, Associate Planner, written communication, February 20, 2014. Provided
acreage for parkland within Inyo County.
Meridian Consultants
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Table 5.14-1
Parks and Recreation Facilities
Name
Location
Size
Description/Amenities
County Parks*
Bishop
124.94
acres
Play equipment, pond for swimming,
softball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe
pitching area, and gazebo with tables
and barbeque.
Millpond Recreation Area - Park
220 Sawmill Road, Bishop
Izaak Walton Park
3600 W. Line Street, Bishop
2.10 acres
Play equipment, event-size barbeque,
large serving area, and a creek running
through the park.
Starlite Park
880 Starlite Drive, Bishop
1.0 acres
ADA-accessible drinking fountain and
ADA-accessible play equipment, tennis
court, and picnic tables.
370 N. School Street,
Big Pine
4.79 acres
Play equipment, basketball court, picnic
gazebo, and horseshoe-pitching area.
Dehy Park
435 N. Edwards Street,
Independence
1.38 acres
Play equipment, community food prep
court, horseshoe-pitching area,
basketball court, restroom, and a creek
running through the park.
Independence Park
609 S. Edwards Street,
Independence
0.47 acres
Shaded areas and restroom.
4.13 acres
Play equipment, lawn area, tennis and
basketball courts, horseshoe-pitching
area, gazebo, and a creek running
through the park.
Big Pine
Mendenhall Park
Independence
Lone Pine
Spainhower Park (Formerly Lone
Pine Park)
445 N. Main Street, Lone
Pine
Bishop Park**
Bishop City Park
688 N. Main Street, Bishop
44 acres
Baseball fields, children’s play structures,
tennis courts, public pool, 14-piece
outdoor fitness center, shade structure,
benches, bocce court, community
garden, arboretum, and pond. The
Bishop Dog park is located at Bishop City
Park.
Sources: Inyo County Parks and Recreation, “Inyo County Parks” (2012), http://www.inyocountycamping.com; Inyo County Planning
Department, Elaine Kabala, Associate Planner, written communication, provided acreage for parkland within Inyo County February 20, 2014;
and City of Bishop, “Parks and Recreation” (2013), http://www.ca-bishop.us/departments/parks-and-recreation/.
Note: *Inyo County Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains the parks listed.
**The Bishop City Park is operated and maintained by the City of Bishop Community Services Department.
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Bishop City Park, located in downtown Bishop, spans 44 acres 3 and includes a city pool, skate park,
multiuse sports fields, dog park, outdoor fitness center, and a community garden (see Table 5.14-1). The
Bishop Dog Park, currently undergoing development, will create an environment that is well maintained
and fenced, allowing off-leash dogs to exercise and play. Bishop Dog Park is being developed in stages
and will eventually include benches, play equipment, shade structures, and trees. 4
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office manages approximately 750,000 acres in
Inyo and Mono Counties. 5 Specifically, the Owens Valley Management Area (OVMA) encompasses
153,750 acres containing the Alabama Hills, three developed campgrounds, and areas of dispersed
recreation use. 6 District offices in Bishop, Ridgecrest, and Barstow manage BLM land within Inyo County.
BLM lands are designated as closed, limited, or open to OHV use. OHV use is monitored throughout the
resource area. Monitoring efforts are concentrated in Areas of Critical Environmental Concern,
Wilderness Study Areas, other specially designated areas and areas incurring resource impacts.
Mitigation, where needed, is applied to eliminate or reduce resource problems caused by OHV use. 7
Limited Use Areas
Most of the public lands in the Eastern Sierra are managed as Semi-Primitive Motorized Opportunity.
These areas have been designated as Limited Use areas. In these areas, motor vehicle use is limited to
existing or designated routes of travel only. No cross-county vehicle use is allowed. 8 Semi-Primitive
Motorized areas are managed to provide a predominantly natural or natural-appearing environment.
Evidence of human activity, restriction, and controls are present but subtle. On-site interpretive
facilities, trailheads and signing are minimal.
3
4
5
6
7
8
The City of Bishop, “Parks and Recreation” (2013). http://www.ca-bishop.us/departments/parks-and-recreation/.
The City of Bishop, “Parks and Recreation” (2013).
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, “Welcome to the Bishop Field Office” (2013),
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html.
Lower Owens River Project Final EIR/EIS, Land Management Plan (2004).
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Resource Management Plan Record of Decision,
Standard Operating Procedures (1993).
Bureau of Land Management, Off-Highway and Sport Utility Vehicle Travel (2014). http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo
/bishop/ohv_and_suv_info.html.
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Points of Interest
BLM points of interest that are located in the vicinity of the proposed Project’s combined-use routes
include the Alabama Hills Recreation Management Area, Goodale Creek Campground, Tuttle Creek
Campground, and Volcanic Tableland and Fish Slough, as shown in Figure 5.14-2, BLM Points of Interest.
Alabama Hills Recreation Management Area
The Alabama Hills Recreation Management Area (AHRMA) features scenic vistas of Mount Whitney and
the highest portion of the Sierra Nevada crest. The AHRMA is a popular recreation area located west of
Lone Pine near the Lower Owens River area as shown in Figure 5.14-2. Established in 1969, this 29,920acre BLM recreation area sits just to the west and above the Lower Owens River. Using recent traffic
counts (Fall 2012), BLM estimates 121,640 visits and 39,317 visitor days at AHRMA. 9
Goodale Creek Campground
The Goodale Creek Campground is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 4,000
feet.10 The campground is surrounded by Inyo Mountains and Owens Valley to the east. The
campground is located 1.5 miles west of Aberdeen and approximately 10 miles north of Independence.
Tuttle Creek Campground
The Tuttle Creek Campground is at an elevation of 5,120 feet. 11 It is located approximately 4.5 miles
from Lone Pine, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada. Specifically, Mount Whitney, Lone Pine Peak, and
Mount Williamson surround the campground to the west. Alabama Hills, Owens Valley, and the Inyo
Mountains are located to the east of the campground. This campground provides recreational
opportunities, such as hiking and sightseeing.
9 Lower Owens River Recreation Use Plan, 2.3, (2013), 19.
10 US Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), “Goodale Creek Campground” (2014),
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/goodale.html.
11 DOI, BLM, “Tuttle Creek Campground” (2013), http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/tuttle.html.
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Volcanic Tableland and Fish Slough
The Volcanic Tableland, located north of Chalk Bluffs Road and northwest of Bishop, receives a
substantial amount of recreational use from rock climbers and those exploring nearby Native American
petroglyphs. 12 The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and BLM collaborate to
manage recreation in this area.
Fault-aligned springs at Fish Slough, located north of Bishop approximately 2.5 miles east of Highway 6,
have created a unique biological oasis containing rare or threatened species of plants and animals. 13
The Chalk Bluffs are 5 miles long and 300 feet high. The boulders and cliffs of the fault scarps and bluffs
offer excellent hunting, perching, and nesting sites for raptors.
United State Forest Service—Inyo National Forest
The Inyo National Forest (INF) manages an estimated 776,000 acres of land within Inyo County. 14 The
INF grants OHV access to nearly 2,200 miles of trails and roads that lead through a million acres of
nonwilderness lands. In some of these areas, the routes reach to almost 12,000 feet in elevation,
providing views of the Owens Valley, Sierra Nevada, and the Great Basin ranges. 15
Poleta OHV Area
The Poleta OHV Area, located east of Bishop, is also illustrated in Figure 5.14-2. Poleta OHV Area offers
recreational OHV opportunities that connect to the proposed combined-use routes. This area, which is
jointly managed by both INF and the BLM, covers 2,500 acres. In addition to the existing road network,
the BLM and INF allow unrestricted cross-country travel within the Poleta OHV open-riding area. This
area includes high desert at the base of the White Mountains in Owens Valley and provides OHV riding
opportunities. 16
12 Owens Valley Land Management Plan, “Recreation Management” (2010).
13 Tom Schweich, “Fish Slough, Inyo County, California,” Eastern Mojave Vegetation (2014), http://www.schweich.com
/geoCAInyFishSlough.html
14 Inyo County General Plan, “Recreation Element” (2001).
15 US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, “OHV Riding and Camping” (2014), http://www.fs.usda.gov
/activity/inyo/recreation/ohv.
16 Inyo National Forest Motorized Travel Management, “Final Environmental Impact Statement, Recreation Resources”
(2009).
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Privately-Owned Lands
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The LADWP owns extensive land in the Owens Valley that is largely open for public recreational use, as
shown in Figure 3.0-3, Land Ownership Map. LADWP-owned lands offer a broad array of recreational
opportunities to Owens Valley residents and have become a recreational destination for domestic and
international travelers. In recent years, recreational use in the Eastern Sierra has grown rapidly, largely
due to the vast range of recreational pursuits available, including rock climbing, fishing, hunting, hiking,
biking, OHV driving, and wildlife viewing. 17
Camping on LADWP property is only allowed in LADWP-designated campgrounds in the Eastern Sierra.
No dispersed camping is permitted on LADWP-managed lands. 18 LADWP coordinates with the INF and
the BLM to discourage dispersed camping on LADWP lands.
Hotels, Campgrounds, and RV Parks
Inyo County has numerous hotels, campgrounds, and RV parks.
Hotels
As shown in Table 5.14-2, Hotels within Inyo County, there are 45 hotels in the northern portion of Inyo
County where the proposed combined use routes are located. These hotels provide a total of 1,343
rooms for visitors to the area. Based on an average of two guests per hotel room, these hotels combined
can accommodate up to 2,686 guests at full capacity.
Campgrounds
As shown in Table 5.14-3, Campgrounds within 20 Miles of the Project Area, there are 48 campgrounds
located in the northern portion of Inyo County where the proposed combined-use routes are located
(approximately 20-mile radius). These campgrounds provide a total of 1,719 spaces for campers visiting
the area. Locations of campgrounds are illustrated in Figure 5.14-3, Campgrounds within 20 Miles of
the Project Area.
As shown, Inyo County operates nine of the 48 campgrounds. Additionally, there are 47 public
campgrounds; 37 campgrounds are federal (USFS and BLM) and the remaining 10 campgrounds are
17 Owens Valley Management Plan, “Recreation Management” (2010).
18 Owens Valley Management Plan, “Recreation Management” (2010).
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County operated and leased from LADWP. The remaining campgrounds are privately owned by LADWP
and run through concessionaires. Campgrounds throughout Inyo County are listed in Table 5.14-3.
RV Parks
Along with campgrounds, there are 11 private RV parks within Inyo County, as illustrated in Table 5.14-4
RV Parks near the Project Area. All of the RV parks are privately owned and operated. In total, these RV
parks provide a total of 541 spaces for RV campers visiting the area. RV parks also provide temporary
housing for some of the area’s workforce. Locations of campgrounds are illustrated in Figure 5.14-4, RV
Parks near the Project Area.
Table 5.14-2
Hotels within Inyo County
Map
No.
Number of
Rooms
Hotel Name
Bishop
Location
1
Americas Best Value Inn
192 Short Street, Bishop
25
2
Bishop Elms Motel
233 East Elm Street, Bishop
9
3
Best Western Bishop Lodge
89
4
Bishop Creek Lodge
2100 South Lake Road, Bishop
12
5
Bishop Village Motel
286 West Elm Street, Bishop
17
6
Cardinal Village Resort
321 Cardinal Road, Bishop
13
7
Chalfant House
213 Academy Ave, Bishop
28
8
Comfort Inn Bishop
54
9
Creekside Inn
725 Main Street, Bishop
89
10
Days Inn
724 W. Line Street, Bishop
33
11
El Rancho Motel
274 Lagoon Street, Bishop
16
12
Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites
66
13
Joseph House Inn Bed & Breakfast
376 W. Yaney Street, Bishop
6
14
Keough's Hot Springs
800 Keough's Hot Springs Road, Bishop
5
15
La Quinta Inn Bishop
60
16
Motel 6
52
17
Mountain View Motel
730 West Line Street, Bishop
35
18
Parchers Resort
5001 South Lake Road, Bishop
19
19
Ramada Limited Bishop
155 E. Elm Street, Bishop
52
20
Rodeway Inn
150 E. Elm Street, Bishop
55
21
Super 8 Motel
535 S. Main Street, Bishop
43
22
Thunderbird Motel
190 West Pine Street, Bishop
22
23
Trees Motel
796 West Line Street, Bishop
17
24
Townhouse Motel
34
25
Vagabond Inn Bishop
80
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Map
No.
Number of
Rooms
Hotel Name
Big Pine
Location
26
Big Pine Resort Cottages
505 S. Main Street, Big Pine
5
27
Big Pine Motel
13
28
Bristlecone Motel
101 N. Main Street, Big Pine
19
29
Glacier Lodge
PO Box 307, Big Pine
4
30
Starlight Motel
63
Aberdeen
No Lodging
Independence
31
Independence Inn
440 S. Edwards Street, Independence
6
32
Independence Courthouse Motel
157 N. Edwards Street, Independence
5
33
Mt. Williamson Motel
515 S. Edwards Street, Independence
6
34
Ray's Den Motel
8
35
Winnedumah Hotel
5
Lone Pine
36
Best Western Plus Frontier Motel
1008 S. Main Street, Lone Pine
73
37
Comfort Inn Lone Pine
58
38
De La Cour Ranch
5000 Horseshoe Meadow Road, Lone Pine
1
39
Dow Villa Motel
42
40
Lone Pine Budget Inn & Motel
138 W. Willow Street, Lone Pine
16
41
National 9 Trails Motel (The Trails Motel)
17
42
Mt. Whitney Motel
305 N. Main Street, Lone Pine
33
43
The Portal Motel
17
44
Timberline Motel
215 E. Post Street, Lone Pine
8
45
Whitney Portal Store & Hostel
13
Total Rooms
1,343
Sources: Bishop Chamber of Commerce, Lodging (2012), http://www.bishopvisitor.com/lodgingBishop.php and
http://www.bishopvisitor.com/lodgingBigPine.php; Thunderbird Motel, “Great Value Lodgings in Bishop California” (2014),
http://www.bishopthunderbirdmotel.com/; Bishop Town House Motel (2014), http://bishoptownhouse.webs.com/; Big Pine Resort Cottages
(2014), http://bigpinecottages.com/; Independence Inn (2014), http://www.independenceinn.net/; Mount Williamson Motel (2012),
http://mtwilliamsonmotel.com/; Winnedumah Hotel, Independence, CA (2014), http://www.winnedumah.com/; Lone Pine Chamber of
Commerce, “Lodging” (2014), http://lonepinechamber.org/lodging/; Timberline Motel, “Location” (2014), http://www.motellonepine.com/;
Whitney Portal Store & Hostel, “Whitney Hostel & Hotel” (2013), http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/; Tecopa Hot Springs Resort (2006),
http://www.tecopahotsprings.org/TecopaHotSprings/Home.html.
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Table 5.14-3
Campgrounds within 20 Miles of the Project Area
Map
No.
Campground Name
Ownership/Operator
Number of
Spaces
Bishop
1
Aspen Meadow Group Campground
USFS - INF
1
2
Big Trees Campground
USFS - INF
16
3
Bishop Park Campground
USFS - INF
20
4
Bishop Park Group Campground
USFS - INF
1
5
Bitterbrush Campground
USFS - INF
30
6
Brown’s Millpond Campground
County
60
7
Brown’s Owens River Campground
County
75
8
Brown’s Town Campground
County
150
9
Forks Campground
USFS - INF
21
10
Four Jeffrey Campground
USFS - INF
106
11
Holiday Campground
USFS - INF
35
12
Horton Creek Campground
BLM
49
13
Intake Two Campground
USFS - INF
8
14
North Lake Campground
USFS - INF
11
15
Pleasant Valley Campground
County
200
16
Table Mountain Campground
USFS - INF
1
17
Willow Campground
USFS - INF
7
Big Pine
18
Baker Creek Campground
County
70
19
Big Pine Canyon Group Camp Sites
USFS - INF
2
20
Big Pine Creek Campground
USFS - INF
30
21
Birch Campground
USFS - INF
*
22
First Falls Campground
USFS - INF
5
23
Fossil Campground
USFS - INF
*
24
Glacier View Campground (Big Pine Triangle)
County
40
25
Grandview Campground
USFS - INF
26
26
Juniper Campground
USFS - INF
*
27
Pinon Campground
USFS - INF
*
28
Poleta Campground
USFS - INF
*
29
Sage Flat Campground
USFS - INF
28
30
Second Falls Campground
USFS - INF
*
31
Tinemaha Campground
County
55
32
Upper Sage Flat Campground
USFS - INF
20
Death Valley Road
No Campgrounds
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Map
No.
Campground Name
Ownership/Operator
Number of
Spaces
BLM
43
County
25
Aberdeen
No Campgrounds
Independence
33
Goodale Creek Campground
34
Independence Creek Campground
35
Fort Independence Indian Reservation Campground
Tribal Government
48
36
Grays Meadow Campgrounds (Lower and Upper)**
USFS - INF
31
37
Onion Valley Campground
USFS - INF
29
38
Symmes Creek Campground
BLM
*
39
Taboose Creek Campground
County
50
18
Lone Pine
40
Horseshoe Meadows Campground
USFS - INF
41
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground
USFS - INF
12
42
Diaz Lake Campground
County
200
43
Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian Camp
USFS - INF
10
44
Lone Pine Campground
USFS - INF
43
45
Whitney Portal Family Campground
USFS - INF
43
46
Locust Grove Campground
USFS - INF
*
47
Portagee Joe Campground
County
15
48
Tuttle Creek Campground
BLM
85
Total Spaces
1,719
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Inyo National Forest, “Campground Camping” (2014),
http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=20228&actid=29; U.S. National Forest Campground Guide, “Inyo
National Forest Campgrounds” (2012), http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pacficsw/inyo.htm; The Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce &
Visitor's Bureau for Bishop, California, “Camping” (2014), http://www.bishopvisitor.com/fishing.php; Los Angeles Department of Water and
Power, Recreational Uses of City of Los Angeles Eastern Sierra Land, “Campgrounds on LADWP Land” (2013),
http://wsoweb.ladwp.com/Aqueduct/Recreation%20Web/campgrounds.htm; Recreation.gov, “Inyo National Forest, CA, US Forest Service”
(2014), http://www.recreation.gov/recAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId=1064; Inyo County Parks and Recreation,
“Campgrounds” (2012), http://inyocountycamping.com/, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, “Campgrounds”
(2013), http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/index.html.
Note: * designates campgrounds that are walk-in, primitive, and undeveloped. Information is unavailable regarding the number of spaces
within these campgrounds.
** Grays Meadow Campgrounds include Upper Grays Meadow and Lower Grays Meadow Campground. Only 31 sites are available for
advance reservation.
USFS = U.S. Forest Service, INF = Inyo National Forest, LADWP = Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, BLM = Bureau of Land
Management
Note: LADWP leases campground sites to Inyo County.
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Table 5.14-4
RV Parks near the Project Area
Map
No.
Ownership/Op
erator
Number
of Spaces
1949 S. Lake Road,
Bishop
Private
49
Crowley Lake RV Park
515 S. Landing Road,
Crowley Lake (near
Bishop)
Private
51
3
Highlands RV Park
2275 N. Sierra Highway,
Bishop
Private
128
4
J Diamond Mobile Ranch
771 N. Main Street,
Bishop
Private
52
5
Keough's Hot Springs RV Parking
800 Keough Hot Springs
Road, Bishop
Private
10
6
Mcgee Creek RV Park
74 W. Park Rd, Crowley
Lake (near Bishop)
Private
50
7
Parchers Resort RV Spaces
5001 S. Lake Road,
Bishop
Private
3
150 Tinemaha Road #
106, Independence
Private
35
RV Park Name
Location
1
Creekside RV Park
2
Bishop
Aberdeen
8
Aberdeen Resort
Lone Pine
9
Boulder Creek RV Resort
2550 S. Highway US
395, Lone Pine
Private
103
10
Olancha RV and Mobile Home Park (in Olancha on
the way to Lone Pine)
1075 S. Highway US
395, Olancha
Private
50
11
Sierra View Mobile Home and RV Park
532 N. Main Street,
Lone Pine
Private
10
Total RV Spaces
541
Sources: Bishop Chamber of Commerce, Camping, “RV Parks in and around Bishop” (2012), http://www.bishopvisitor.com/fishing.php; Crowley
Lake RV Park (2014), http://www.crowleylakerv.com/; Aberdeen Resort, “Aberdeen Resort” (2014), http://aberdeenresort.com/home.html;
Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, “Lodging” (2014), http://lonepinechamber.org/lodging/; Olancha RV Park and Motel (2014),
http://olancharvpark.com/olancha-motel/.
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5.14.2
REGULATORY SETTING
5.14.2.1
Federal Regulation
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 constitutes the organic act for the BLM
and governs most uses of the federal public lands. 19 This act was created to establish public land policy,
to establish guidelines for its administration, and to provide for the management, protection,
development, and enhancement of the public lands. 20
FLPMA of 1976 has long been considered the landmark legislation that changed the operations of BLM,
providing a multiple-use framework for managing the nation's public lands by focusing on the needs of
both present and future generations. Under FLPMA, land managers are required to take into account
the long-term needs of present and future generations as they make important decisions in the
management of renewable and nonrenewable resources, including recreation, timber, minerals,
watershed, fish, wildlife, rangeland, and scientific and historical values. 21
California Desert Conservation Area Plan
The BLM California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) consists of 25 million acres in Southern
California. 22 The CDCA Plan is intended to be a comprehensive long-range plan for the management,
use, development, and protection of the public lands within the CDCA. The plan’s goal is to provide for
the use of the public lands and resources of the CDCA, including economic, educational, scientific, and
recreational uses, in a manner that enhances the environmental, cultural, and aesthetic values of the
desert and its productivity. 23
The desert provides the resources necessary for a variety of recreational experiences. BLM provides
opportunities for visitors to participate in various types of outdoor recreational experiences and
benefits, based on a combination of the (1) kind of activity desired, (2) physical or locational setting, and
(3) level of experiences (psychological and/or physiological). The planning tool used to consider these
19 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat Conservation, “Federal Resource Laws” (n.d.), http://www.fws.gov
/habitatconservation/federal_resource.pdf.
20 DOI, BLM and Office of the Solicitor, eds., The Federal Land Policy and Management Act, as Amended (Washington, DC:
BLM Office of Public Affairs, 2001), http://www.blm.gov/flpma/FLPMA.pdf.
21 DOI, BLM, “Western Mojave Off Road Vehicle Designation Project: Environmental Assessment and Draft CDCA Plan
Amendment” (2003), http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd/wemo_ohvdesigproj.html.
22 DOI, BLM, “California Desert Conservation Area” (2012), http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd/cdca_q_a.html.
23 California Desert Conservation Area Plan, “Introduction” (1980).
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opportunities is the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS). Various recreational opportunities are
grouped along a continuum of opportunities that range from intensive motorized-vehicle-oriented
activities to resource-oriented activities. 24 The plan addresses motorized-vehicle play open areas, which
are designated for the enjoyment and challenge of the vehicle operator. These areas feature a variety of
terrain types and grade variations. Additionally, the CDCA plan discusses vehicle access, which is one of
the most important recreation issues in the desert. Therefore, a primary consideration of the recreation
program is to ensure that access routes necessary for recreation enjoyment are provided.
Bishop Resource Management Plan
The BLM has 26 resource management plans for public land in California. Within Inyo County, BLM
manages the Bishop Resource Area with the Bishop Resource Management Plan, which encompasses
750,000 acres of public land in the eastern Sierra region of Inyo County and Mono County.25 The Bishop
Resource Management Plan guides the management of public lands within the resource area. There are
six Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) within the Bishop Resource Management Plan area,
including Fish Slough, Bodie Bowl, Travertine Hot Springs, and Crater Mountain.
Under the California Desert Protection Act of 1994, 69 BLM wilderness areas were designated in Inyo
County and other Southern California counties. 26
United States Forest Service (USFS)
Inyo National Forest Travel Management
Travel management is a priority for the USFS. The INF Travel Management proposal is part of the
forest’s effort to manage the transportation system to meet current and future needs. 27 INF is a popular
destination for outdoor-based recreation opportunities. “Annually, INF receives 3.9 million visits, making
it the one of the most popular national forests in California (National Visitor Use Monitoring Survey,
2006).” 28 INF is renowned for its sweeping vistas, natural and geologic variability, and variety of
recreation opportunities and destinations.
Activities in the INF include driving for pleasure and off-highway vehicle participation. In 2006, driving
for pleasure totaled 972,582 participants, while off-highway vehicle participation totaled 70,591
24
25
26
27
28
California Desert Conservation Area Plan, “Recreation Element” (1980).
DOI BLM, Resource Management Plans for California’s Public Lands (2006).
Inyo County General Plan, “Recreation Element” (2001).
Inyo National Forest Motorized Travel Management, “Final Environmental Impact Statement” (2009).
Inyo National Forest Motorized Travel Management, “Final Environmental Impact Statement” (2009).
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5.14 Recreation
participants. 29 Typical seasons of use vary greatly across the INF depending on the onset and duration of
snowfall, which is mostly determined by vast differences in elevation.
Inyo National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan
The Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) manages each of the national forests. The INF LRMP,
completed in 1988, contains standards and guidelines that set minimum resource conditions that must
be maintained throughout INF. The LRMP seeks to provide a broad range of recreation opportunities in
balance with existing and future demand. 30 The LRMP also includes directions for designating OHV
routes by updating the 1977 Interagency Motor Vehicle Use Plan. Recreation resource zoning in the
LRMP uses ROS as the basis inventory. The ROS provided a broad range of forest- and rangeland-related
outdoor recreation opportunities. The LRMP also sets forth specific objectives that relate to OHV trails.
LRMP encourages the designation of OHV trails and open areas to minimize conflicts with existing or
potentially developed recreation sites, private property, special uses, adjacent wilderness,
administrative areas, cultural resources, riparian areas, key wildlife habitat, and sensitive watershed
areas. The LRMP permits OHV use on designated trails and routes.
5.14.2.2
State Regulation
California State Parks
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
The California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division advocates managed,
environmentally responsible OHV use. This division also encompasses the OHMVR Commission, which is
required to periodically report to the governor and the legislature on the status of off-highway motor
vehicle recreation in California. 31 The mission statement of the commission is the following: 32
[T]o provide leadership statewide in the area of off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation; to
acquire, develop, and operate state-owned vehicular recreation areas; and to otherwise
provide for a statewide system of managed OHV recreational opportunities through
funding to other public agencies. The OHMVR Division works to ensure quality
recreational opportunities remain available for future generations by providing for
education, conservation, and enforcement efforts that balance OHV recreation impacts
with programs that conserve and protect cultural and natural resources.
29 Inyo National Forest Motorized Travel Management, “Final Environmental Impact Statement” (2009).
30 Inyo National Forest Motorized Travel Management, “Final Environmental Impact Statement” (2009).
31 California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR), “OHMVR Division” (2014), http://
www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/.
32 California State Parks, OHMVR Division, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission Program Report (2014).
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California’s OHMVR program’s primary goal consists of dual central themes that (1) OHV recreation be
managed to provide high-quality opportunities for OHV recreation, and that (2) OHV recreation be
balanced with protecting the state’s natural and cultural resources. 33 The OHMVR program seeks to
provide well-managed OHV recreation, protect lands, maintain habitat, and repair damage caused by
both legal and unauthorized OHV recreation.
California Outdoor Recreation Plan
California State Parks prepared the 2008 California Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), a comprehensive
statewide outdoor recreation planning document that reflects the current and projected changes in
California’s population, trends, and economy. 34 The plan aims to accomplish the following objectives:
serve as a comprehensive strategy and action guide, provide leadership, provide project selection
criteria, maintain funding eligibility, and provide a source of information.
A Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is required of every state to be eligible for
grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. California State Parks views CORP as the State’s
strategy for identifying a wide range of ways in which recreation providers can deal with obstacles and
create the outdoor recreation opportunities to meet public demand now and in the coming years.
California Recreation Policy
The California State Park and Recreation Commission recommends recreation policy for the State. In
2005, California State Park and Recreation Commission created the California Recreation Policy, which is
intended to be a broad, comprehensive policy to cover a full range of recreation activities that includes
active, passive, indoors, and out-of-doors. 35
The California Recreation Policy is intended for recreation providers at all service levels: federal, State,
and local agencies and special districts; private suppliers; and quasi-public or nonprofit organizations.
The goal is for all suppliers of park facilities and recreation opportunities to be guided by California’s
Recreation Policy as they work to provide high-quality recreation experiences.
33 California State Parks, OHMVR Division, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission Program Report (2014).
34 California State Parks, California Outdoor Recreation Plan (2008).
35 California State Parks, “California Recreation Policy” (2005).
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5.14.2.3
Regional Regulation
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Lower Owens River Recreation Use Plan
The Lower Owens River Recreation Use Plan is intended to provide a conceptual framework to protect
the area from the unintended consequences of increased use in the absence of a common, balanced
recreation vision and management strategy. 36 The plan’s purpose is to support Lower Owens River
Project (LORP) goals while creating opportunities for local residents and visitors to experience
recreation, learn more about the ecosystem, and become active stewards of the Lower Owens River.
Fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, hunting, and OHV riding are the most popular recreation activities
within the LORP area. The plan also demonstrates that seasonal tourism is increasingly important to the
area’s economy.
The plan addresses policies and regulations regarding public access. As the number of recreation users
increases, clearly defined, enforceable policies will be needed to define allowable activities, overnight
use restrictions, OHV/ATV restrictions, gate use, laws protecting cultural artifacts, and ”leave no trace”
principles. LADWP and Inyo County jointly manage the LORP.
The public has largely unrestricted access for recreational uses during the day on City of Los Angeles–
owned land within the LORP planning area. Virtually all City-owned lands in the Eastern Sierra outside
the towns, including those within the LORP area, are part of ranch leases. The City requires its ranch
lessees to leave approximately 75 percent of their lands open to the public for recreational uses. 37
The distribution of recreational use in the LORP area is not collected, and so quantitative information on
the number of recreational users in the Owens Valley and their impacts is not currently available. The
information that is collected comes from LADWP and Inyo County staff involved in construction, survey,
and other field work, as well as from lessees, who report to LADWP when violations of recreational use
policies are observed or high concentrations of recreational uses are noted. 38 Additionally, local
residents or recreational users themselves place calls to LADWP personnel. Based on these information
sources, current recreational usage of the LORP area is characterized by LADWP staff as light and lowimpact, with few recreationists observed.
36 Lower Owens River Recreation Use Plan, “Purpose of the Recreation Use Plan” (2013).
37 Lower Owens River Project Final EIR/EIS, “Recreation” (2004).
38 Lower Owens River Project Final EIR/EIS, “Recreation” (2004).
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Hunting, birding, and fishing are the primary recreational uses in the LORP planning area. Other
recreational uses that occur in the project area include hiking, walking, sightseeing, running, bicycling,
tubing, picnicking, horseback riding, OHV/4-wheeling, photography, and wildlife appreciation. 39
Vehicular travel, including OHVs, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), and Recreational Vehicles (RV), is limited to
existing roads and trails and away from residential areas. An interagency OHV Management Group,
consisting of BLM, USFS, LADWP, and Inyo County, provides a way for member agencies to coordinate
efforts to manage vehicle access within their respective lands in the Owens Valley.
Existing guidelines are in place for OHV use within the LORP area. For example, all OHV recreationists
are expected to respect the concerns and needs of other recreational users. Since many users frequent
the LORP area to fish, hunt, hike, canoe, or observe birds and other wildlife. Noise and dust from offroad vehicles can be disturbing to wildlife, livestock, plants, and soils. Care should be exercised to not
use OHV near areas used by other recreationists, who are seeking a natural outdoor experience, or in
close proximity to grazing operations.
Owens Valley Land Management Plan
The Owens Valley Land Management Plan (OVLMP) prepared by the Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power (LADWP) contains a recreation management section that sets forth goals, objectives, and
tools. LADWP manages approximately 310,000 acres in Inyo and Mono Counties. 40 City of Los Angeles–
owned lands in Inyo County are currently managed under a multiple-use concept, with a substantial
portion leased for agriculture, livestock, and other uses. As mentioned previously, LADWP allows
approximately 75 percent of its leased lands to remain open to the public for recreation and enjoyment
(with the exception of critical areas such as irrigated pastures). 41 These lands are also managed with a
multiple-use concept, with a portion of the lands leased for agriculture, livestock, and other uses, and a
portion of the leased lands made available to the public.
Recreation is widespread throughout LADWP lands in the Owens Valley. Fishing, hiking, biking, OHV use,
sightseeing, camping, hunting, and bird watching occur at various locations on LADWP lands, and are
vital to maintaining the multiple-use nature of LADWP lands in the Owens Valley. Tourists, who come to
the Owens Valley to recreate on LADWP lands, are important to the local economy. 42
39
40
41
42
Lower Owens River Project Final EIR/EIS, “Recreation” (2004).
DOI, BLM, “Bishop” (2013).
Owens Valley Management Plan, “Recreation Management” (2010).
Owens Valley Management Plan, “Habitat Conservation Planning” (2010).
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Recreation management on LADWP-owned lands is mainly based on the ROS, a nationally recognized
recreation management tool that is adopted by many land management agencies, including the INF and
the BLM Bishop Field Office. The recreational management tool provides a framework for categorizing
and defining classes of outdoor recreation environments, activities, and experience opportunities.
As mentioned previously, the ROS arranges experiences and opportunities along a continuum divided
into six classes: (1) primitive, (2) semi-primitive non-motorized, (3) semi-primitive motorized, (4) roaded
natural, (5) rural, and (6) urban. The ROS classes that apply to recreation opportunities on LADWPmanaged lands include semi-primitive motorized and roaded natural areas, characterized by:
•
Maintaining a natural-appearing environment, with few, if any, developments.
•
Hosting a low to moderate concentration of users, with little evidence of human use (including litter,
formal parking areas, and sanitation facilities, etc.).
•
Providing adequate management and controls with minimal signage and/or formal facilities (if
facilities, such as toilets, kiosks, etc., are needed, they shall blend with the surrounding
environment).
•
Permitting vehicle use on designated roadways only, prohibiting off-road vehicle use.
The OVLMP indicates that OHV use on LADWP-owned lands is limited to existing roads and trails, away
from residential areas. OHVs should not be used to create new roads and trails or damage existing
vegetation. The OVLMP also encourages recreation users to take extra caution when using OHVs in areas
where livestock are present. The OVLMP advises that OHV use, like any recreational use on City of Los
Angeles–owned lands, is done at the user’s risk. Additionally, OHV use, use of firearms, and any other
potentially disturbing recreational activities are not permitted near livestock or in their pastures. The
plan also contains recreation management tools for LADWP to prevent unauthorized off-highway vehicle
use, which include the following:
•
Install and maintain appropriate signage where violations are known to occur.
•
Produce and distribute educational brochures and flyers about LADWP policies and resource
concerns.
•
Post recreational policies on LADWP website.
•
Conduct periodic controls of problem areas and report violations to local authorities.
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•
Install barricades to prevent access to problem areas.
•
Designate area for localized OHV use.
The junction of Poleta Road and the Owens River experiences a high degree of recreational use
throughout the year, including OVH use, fishing, and float tubing. Resource damage is mostly due to
vehicles parking on the banks and unauthorized OHV use on the sand dunes, which are located directly
west of this junction. Recreation management in this area is a high priority because the river is
sustaining direct impact from recreational uses. However, recreational uses would not be restricted in
this area because it is a popular location.
5.14.2.4
Local Regulations
Inyo County General Plan
The recreation section from the Conservation/Open Space Element addresses the County’s parks and
recreation needs, management of parks and use of these facilities, and the expansion of additional park
resources.
The Recreation section of the Conservation/Open Space Element also contains general recreationrelated goals, objectives, and implementation measures. The goal set forth in the Recreation section is
the development of a public parks, recreation, and open space system that provides adequate space and
facilities to meet the varied needs of County residents and visitors. 43
The applicable policies of the Recreation goal include:
Policy REC-1.1
Natural Environment as Recreation: Encourage the use of the natural
environment for passive recreational opportunities.
•
Policy REC-1.2
Implementation Measure 1.0: Work with federal and state agencies that
manage land with Inyo County to ensure that appropriate access to open
space and recreational areas is provided for all sectors of the population,
including those with special needs.
Recreational Opportunities on Federal, State, and LADWP Lands: Encourage
the continued management of existing recreation areas and open space and
appropriate expansion of new recreational opportunities.
43 Inyo County General Plan, “Conservation/Open Space Element” (2001).
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Policy REC-1.4
Adequate Parkland: The County shall provide adequate parkland throughout
the County. The County shall require parkland dedication and/or developer
impact fees for new subdivisions within the County to provide adequate
recreation space for residents.
Policy REC-1.6
Range of Recreational Activities/Facilities: The County shall provide for a broad
range of active and passive recreational activities in community parks designed
to accommodate populations with special needs, such as the elderly, disabled,
children, and teenagers. When possible, this should include active sports fields
and facilities in community parks that will provide for the needs of leagues and
programs.
City of Bishop General Plan
The City’s Parks and Recreation Element provides goals and policies to provide for the recreational
needs of Bishop’s residents. The following goals relate to the proposed Project: “to increase outdoor
recreational opportunities and recreational use of the area’s vast open space resources,” and “to
prevent the degradation of the City’s and area’s recreational resources.” 44
A recreation policy applicable to the proposed Project states:
•
The City shall cooperate with Inyo County, State, and Federal agencies to assure that regional parks
and recreational facilities are provided and maintained in the Bishop area. 45
5.14.3
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
In order to assist in determining whether a project would have a significant effect on the environment,
the City determines a project may be deemed to have a significant impact on recreation if it would:
•
Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such
that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
•
Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities,
which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
Potential recreation impacts that were determined to be less than significant or have no impact are
discussed in Section 7.1, Effects Found Not to Be Significant.
44 City of Bishop General Plan, “Conservation/Open Space Element” (1993).
45 City of Bishop General Plan, “Conservation/Open Space Element” (1993).
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METHODOLOGY
5.14.4
PROJECT IMPACTS
The environmental impact analysis presented below is based on determinations made in the Initial
Study (IS) for impacts considered to be potentially significant and for impacts identified by reviewing
agencies, organizations, or individuals commenting on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) as potentially
significant (see Responses to NOP, Appendix 2.0-d).
5.14.4.1 Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of
the facility would occur or be accelerated
Impact Analysis
The proposed Project would not involve the construction of a new development and would not result in
a temporary increase in population as a result of construction.
As stated in Section 5.12, Population and Housing, The proposed Project would result in a temporary
increase in transient population. The estimated peak for transient OHV users during the peak season
(March 21 through June 21 and September 1 through October 31), would be 1,046 OHV users and
during off-peak season (June 22 through August 31), would be 523 OHV users.
Inyo County has numerous parks and other recreational opportunities within the vicinity of the
proposed Project routes. Approximately 98 percent of land is public land, which provides significant
open space and recreation for residents and tourists.
The Inyo County General Plan states that the County will maintain a level of service standard of 3 acres
per 1,000 residents for community parks. 46 Within in the County, there are 139 acres of parkland for
approximately 18,573 residents, which results in 7.48 acres per 1,000 residents. 47 Parkland is ample,
exceeding the County’s standard by 4.48 acres.
To accommodate an additional temporary population of 1,046 OHV users to the County, the County
would need approximately 0.4 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents to maintain the current ratio of
7.48 acres per 1,000 residents. During the peak season, this would result in a ratio of 7.08 acres of
47 California Department of Finance, “E-5: Population and Housing Estimate for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2011–2013
with 2010 Census Benchmark” (2013), http://www.dof.ca.gov/Research/demographic/reports/estimates/e-5/201120/view.php. The data indicates that there were 18,573 residents in Inyo County in 2013. 18,573 residents/1,000 = 18.573;
139 acres of parkland/18.573 = 7.48 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.
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5.14 Recreation
parkland per 1,000 residents during peak season; which would be within the County’s standards. 48
Campgrounds around the Birch Creek area include Taboose Creek Campground and Tinemaha
Campground. As previously indicated, Taboose Creek Campground has 50 camping spaces; Tinemaha
Campground provides 55 spaces. Although these campgrounds often overflow on spring and fall
weekends, the multitude of other campgrounds throughout the Project area provides adequate
parkland to accommodate the anticipated increase.
If the OHV resident users are combined with the transient OHV users during peak season, a maximum
amount of 1,231 OHV users would use recreational amenities. When resident OHV users are factored
into OHV user rates, the parkland ratio of 7.08 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents would be
maintained; as they have been accounted for in the current County ratio of 7.48 per 1,000 residents.
Therefore the temporary increase in the use of recreational facilities by the proposed Project’s OHV
users at any one particular park or facility would be less than significant.
Peak OHV season occurs March 21 through June 21, and September 1 to October 31. Off-peak season
for OHV recreational use occurs June 22 through August 31, and November 1 to March 20. Due to the
seasonal use of OHV riding, use of facilities would be temporary and short term; it would be dispersed
throughout the County, depending on which areas the OHV users would utilize. Given that the use
would be seasonal, it would not result in substantial physical deterioration of recreational facilities,
including campgrounds and parks. Impacts to existing neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreation facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated would be less than significant.
The proposed Project complies with the recreation goal and several of the recreation policies
established in the Inyo County General Plan Open Space and Conservation Element. The proposed
Project aims to expand and connect current OHV recreational opportunities, which is further discussed
in Section 5.10.
The implementation of the proposed Project could result in increased recreational use in the proposed
Project routes, but this increase would not be expected to cause significant adverse impacts. The
increase in recreational opportunities due to the proposed Project’s increased connectivity would likely
attract a greater number of recreational users to the proposed Project routes during the peak OHV
season compared to existing conditions. The maximum number of OHV users that may be attracted to
48 Resident OHV user population is accounted for in the general population of 18,573.
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the area and use the proposed Project routes during peak season (March 21 to June 21 and September 1
to October 31) is estimated to be 1,046 users.
The temporary population growth would result in the proposed Project would contribute an additional
1,406 average daily trips over the six areas during peak seasons (March 21 through June 21, and
September 1 through October 31), and an additional 805 average daily trips over the six areas during
off-peak seasons (June 22 through August 31, and November 1 through March 20). This corresponds to
an average increase in OHV use throughout the proposed network of combined-use routes of
approximately 2.7 percent during peak season, and 1.35 percent during the off-peak season.
These relatively low increases in ridership would not result in a concentration of usage in any one area,
and existing facilities would be adequate to serve both current and projected demand. Additionally,
OHV users would be utilizing open space provided throughout the County by a wide range of providers
(federal, State, and local facilities). Therefore, increase in visitor use would not cause a deterioration of
existing facilities or necessitate expanded recreational facilities.
Impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.
Level of Significance after Mitigation
5.14.4.2 Inclusion of recreational facilities or requirement for construction or
expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse
physical effect on the environment
Impact Analysis
While, the proposed Project would not result in significant permanent population growth, the proposed
Project would provide new recreational opportunities by improving connectivity between existing roads
and trailheads. Even with increased OHV users, the County would maintain a ratio of 7.08 acres of
parkland per 1,000 residents, which exceeds the County’s standard by 4.48 acres.
As stated in Section 5.12, Population and Housing, any increase in transient population would be
temporary and seasonal, with peaks occurring from March 21 through June 1, and September 1 through
October 31. Therefore, the proposed Project would not result in the requirement for construction or the
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expansion of existing recreational facilities, which may have an adverse physical effect on the
environment.
As shown in Table 5.14-1, Table 5.14-2, and Table 5.14-3, hotels, campgrounds, and RV parks provide
temporary housing for OHV visitors. Increased OHV use has the potential to increase the use of area
campgrounds and an increase in OHV use on other public lands. However, the proposed Project would
increase the number of OHV users to 1,046. Assuming 10 percent of the campground spaces are
occupied by OHV users and there are 4 OHV users per camping space, OHV users would occupy 688
campground spaces; 1,031 campground spaces would be remaining. 49. The current availability of hotel
rooms, camping spaces, and RV spaces is adequate to accommodate any increase in OHV use.
The designation of combined-use routes would expand OHV recreation opportunities in Inyo County by
providing connectivity and enabling OHV recreationists to access public services within area
communities. County and City of Bishop parks could be utilized as staging areas for OHVs, and some of
the parks are near the vicinity of the proposed Project routes.
The proposed Project would aim to provide restricted access to reduce OHV trespass on private land. By
increasing authorized access to specific recreation areas and by including appropriate signage per
Assembly Bill (AB) 628, the proposed Project would provide connectivity to OHV users, reducing the
unauthorized use of routes that help OHVs access remote recreation areas.
The proposed Project does not include a residential or park development component. The proposed
Project would not result in population growth, which would necessitate the expansion or construction of
additional parks and recreational facilities.
Mitigation Measures
49 Note: There are a total 1,719 campground spaces within the County. This number does not include all walk-in
campgrounds or dispersed camping. 1719 total campground spaces x 4 OHV users per campground space = 6,876. 10
percent of 6,876 = 688 campground spaces. 1719-688 = 1,031 campgrounds spaces remaining.
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5.14.5
INDIRECT IMPACTS
Impact Analysis
As stated in Section 5.12, Population and Housing, the proposed Project would not involve
development that would induce permanent population growth. As stated previously, transient OHV
population when combined with resident OHV population during peak season would be approximately
1,231 OHV riders (1,046 transient OHV users and 185 resident OHV riders), and during off-peak season
would be 708 OHV riders (523 transient OHV users and 185 resident OHV riders). All transient OHV
population is expected to occur within County lands. However, indirect demand on surrounding
recreational areas (campgrounds and RV parks) may occur. Any increase in indirect population growth in
surrounding lands would be short term and temporary, and would not induce substantial permanent
population growth. Any limits on the rental of campground spaces, RV spaces and other lodging areas
would be limited or restricted by the applicable landowner or agency, and impacts would be less than
significant.
Indirect impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
Indirect Impacts would be less than significant.
5.14.6
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Impact Analysis
As noted in Section 4.0, Environmental Setting, the related projects are a combination of potential,
proposed, and future projects, along with applicable planning. The related projects would not directly
result in the addition of new residents or the development of residential units because recreational
facilities are generally directly affected by an increase in resident population. When combined with the
proposed Project, related projects would result in approximately 80,000 square feet of hotel and casino
space, approximately 13,273.5 acres of industrial space (mostly solar facilities), and 54.7 acres of ranch
space. The proposed Project, along with related projects, would not result in cumulative significant
increase in the use of existing parks and would not contribute to acceleration in the physical
deterioration of these facilities.
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As mentioned previously, the County aims to maintain level of service standard of 3 acres per 1,000
residents for community parks. 50 Because related projects, when considered with the proposed Project,
would not create an increase in the permanent population, the current ratio of 7.48 acres per 1,000
residents would remain the same. 51
Cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.
Cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
51 California Department of Finance, “E-5: Population and Housing Estimate” (2013). The data indicates that there were
18,573 residents in Inyo County in 2013. 18,573 residents/1,000 = 18.573; 139 acres of parkland/18.573 = 7.48 acres of
parkland per 1,000 residents.
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Wyma
n
1
n Rd
Silver Canyon Rd
3
2
C any o
Bishop Area
4
BLACK CYN RD
Death Valley Road Area
5
DE
AT
H
VA
L
LE
Y
RD
Big Pine Area
TINNEMAHA RD
Aberdeen Area
Aberdeen
DIVISION CREEK RD
Independence Area
FOOTHILL RD
6
7
Lone Pine Area
8
SOURCE: Inyo County Parks and Recreation Department - 2012; City of Bishop - 2013; Google Earth - 2014.
LEGEND
Project Routes
Parks and Recreation
1 Millpond Recreation Area - Park
2 Izaak Walton Park
3 Bishop City Park (city owned)
4 Starlite Park
5 Mendenhall Park
6 Dehy Park
7 Independence Park
N
8 Spainhower Park
FIGURE
5.14-1
Parks and Recreation Facilities within Inyo County
052-001-13
3
1
Wyma
n
2
C any o
n Rd
Silver Canyon Rd
4
Bishop Area
BLACK CYN RD
Aberdeen Area
5
TINNEMAHA RD
DE
AT
H
VA
L
LE
Y
RD
Big Pine Area
Aberdeen
DIVISION CREEK RD
FOOTHILL RD
Independence Area
Lone Pine Area
6
7
SOURCE: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Field Office - 2013
LEGEND
Project Routes
Points of Interest
1 Volcanic Tableland
2 Fish Slough Area
3 Horton Creek Campground
4 Poleta OHV Area
5 Goodale Creek Campground
6 Alabama HIlls
7 Tuttle Creek Campground N
FIGURE
5.14-2
BLM Points of Interest
052-001-13
Lone Pine Area
YR
D
any on R
d
LE
Big Pine Area
TINNEMAHA RD
DIVISION CREEK RD
Aberdeen Area
Aberdeen
BLACK CYN RD
DE
AT
HV
AL
Wyman
C
Silver Canyon Rd
Independence Area
FOOTHILL RD
Bishop Area
LEGEND
#
Map Key Number
Project Routes
Campgrounds
SOURCE: Inyo County Planning Department - 2014; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service - 2014; Google Earth - 2014
N
0
2
4
8
APPROXIMATE SCALE IN FEET
FIGURE
5.14-3
Campgrounds within 20 Miles of the Project Area
052-001-13
Wyman
Canyon
Rd
Silver Canyon Rd
Bishop Area
BLACK CYN RD
DE
AT
H
VA
L
LE
Y
RD
Big Pine Area
TINNEMAHA RD
Aberdeen Area
Aberdeen
FOOTHILL RD
DIVISION CREEK RD
Independence Area
Lone Pine Area
LEGEND
Map Key Number
#
RV Park
Project Routes
0
N
7.5
15
30
APPROXIMATE SCALE IN MILES
SOURCE: Google Earth - 2014
FIGURE
5.14-4
RV Parks near the Project Area
052-001-13

5.14 recreation - Inyo County Website

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