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