Title
Supervisor Parlin recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign the attached letter to the Bureau of Reclamation, conveying the County's concerns over the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA) Preliminary General Plan and the Draft Resource Management Plan. (Est. Time: 15 Min.)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
California State Parks and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are preparing a joint ASRA General Plan/Auburn Public Lands (APL) Resource Management Plan. The Plan has raised concerns for fire and public safety for the areas surrounding Cool, Greenwood and Georgetown.
The Project would allow or facilitate:
· Parking capacity to be increased by up to 25%.
· Camping capacity to be increased by up to 245 individual campsites and five group sites.
· River access improvements to trails, roads and boat landings.
· Trail bridges over the North Fork American River between Auburn and Cool and over the Middle Fork American River at the former Greenwood Bridge site.
The Plan does not have a defined proposal or funding mechanism for infrastructure improvements, vegetation management, fire breaks, or additional staffing to accommodate and manage the increased number of visitors that will be attracted to the area. Several years of drought and increased water rates have caused much of this area to be dry and prone to fire. At the August 15th ASRA open house in Cool, 150-200 residents showed up to express concerns about traffic and fire safety resulting from this project. As such, residents have asked the Board of Supervisors for support to require that public safety be a priority of any proposed plan. Additionally, Planning staff is preparing technical CEQA responses to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to send a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation or could ask staff to make revisions to the proposed letter.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATIO...
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