FEIS - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON THE DEIS
B o u l d e r B a y C o m m u n i t y E n h a n c e m e n t P r o g r a m P r o j e c t E I S
Comment 286-aq: Comment Summary - Cumulative recreation analysis is inadequate because it relies
on the shuttle mitigation and fails to analyze the cumulative impact on area beaches
because of shuttling.
Cumulative impacts to Basin recreational resources are also addressed in the TRPA
Threshold Evaluation Reports that are prepared every 5 years. The TRPA 2006
Threshold Evaluation report evaluated the status of the two R-1 Recreational
threshold indicators (Quality Experience and Additional Access) and determined
each to be in attainment. The Evaluation of “Quality Experience” states:
“Previous survey efforts have indicated that the majority of recreation experience
attributes either meet or exceed expectations. The quality of the region’s beaches
and access to forest areas/trails are rated the most positive elements of the Tahoe
Basin recreation experience. Beach activities are the most popular summer
pursuits, followed closely by walking and hiking. Seasonal traffic and crowding
detract from the experience during peak periods. These attributes that detract
from the quality of the recreation experience are beyond the purview of the
recreation providers.”
Impact REC-1 in Chapter 4.6 of the Boulder Bay DEIS states “Although Alternatives
C and D will include new onsite recreational opportunities for Boulder Bay guests,
and park and open space areas open to the public that include views of Lake Tahoe,
increased visitation to Boulder Bay under Alternatives C, D and E will have a
potentially significant impact on nearby Lake Tahoe beaches.” Mitigation measures
are included in the DEIS to help reduce the Boulder Bay impacts to seasonal traffic
and crowding that are referenced in the Threshold Evaluation as a problem. Please
see response to comment 171-d for proposed revisions to the Mitigation Measure
REC-1 that are recommended based on other comments to the DEIS.
While neither of the closest beaches to Boulder Bay are operated by the USFS, they
also conduct evaluations of beach facilities to determine whether the recreational
experience is meeting visitor expectations. According to USFS LTBMU recreational
specialist Bob Becker (personal communication, August 27, 2010), the USFS has
found that parking availability regulates beach conditions and that the USFS beaches
can accommodate each of the visitor’s who can park or walk into the facility. Beach
visitor complaints are generally directed at congested access and parking facilities.
This information is consistent with information provided by Nevada State Parks and
was the basis for the development of shuttle oriented mitigation measures to reduce
the reliance on the individual auto for Boulder Bay residents access to beach
facilities. Therefore, the impacts of the Boulder Bay project, along with increased
visitation associated with other cumulative projects are not anticipated to degrade the
high quality of the recreational experience as measured by TRPA.
Comment 286-ar: Comment Summary - Complete the analysis of the Project's contribution to impacts
on recreational facilities and discuss possible feasible mitigation measures to
address these impacts.
Please see response to comment 286-aq.
Comment 286-as: Comment Summary - The DEIS lacks adequate disclosure of CEP Compliance.
Appendix AG includes a TRPA staff prepared analysis of Boulder Bay’s compliance
with the CEP resolution adopted by the Board. As documented in the resolution
compliance matrix, the Boulder Bay Project (Alternative C) is in compliance with the
Resolution’s requirements for Boulder Bay’s continued participation in the CEP.
PAGE 8- 74 HAUGE BRUECK ASSOCIATES SEPTEMBER 8 , 2010