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Colusa‐SacramentoRiverSRAGeneralPlan |EXECUTIVESUMMARY i

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

A. PARKDESCRIPTION

Colusa‐SacramentoRiverStateRecreationArea(thePark)islocatedimmediatelynorthoftheCityofColusa,CaliforniaonthewestbankoftheSacramentoRiver.Itoccupiesabout359acresintheSacramentoValley,animportantagriculturalregionofnorthernCalifornia.TheriveristhemainreasonforthePark’sexistence.MuchoftheParklieswithinthedesignatedfloodwayoftheSacramentoRiver.RegularfloodsfromthenorthnourishthePark’sriparianforest,create(andre‐create)beachesandmovewoodydebrisintotheriver.

TheParkiswithintheColusaSubreachoftheNaturalResourcesAgency’sSacramentoRiverConservationArea(SRCA),whichencompassesabout222rivermilesbetweenReddingandVerona(FigureES.1).Currently,riveraccessislimitedalongtheColusaSubreachbetweenPrincetonandColusa.Fewpublicroadsprovideaccesstotherivercorridorthroughtheproductiveorchardsoffruitandnuttrees.Ofthirteensitesnowownedbypublicagencies,theonlydevelopedrecreationalfacilitiesareinColusa‐SacramentoRiverSRAandtheadjacentColusaLeveeScenicPark.Mostotherpubliclandsarecurrentlyaccessibleonlybyboat.TheColusaSubreachRecreationAccessPlan,preparedforTheNatureConservancyin2007,recommendsthat“nonewlandaccesspointsarerecommendedatthistime.”Instead,itrecommendedexpansionof,andincreasedfacilitiesdevelopment,intheSRA.Inparticular,improvingboatingandcampingfacilitiesherewillimproveaccesstotheriver’sabundantnaturalandrecreationalresources,aswellasawidevarietyofpubliclands.

B. PURPOSEOFTHEGENERALPLAN/ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTREPORT

Generalplansarebroad‐basedpolicydocumentsthatprovidemanagementguidelinesforaparkunit.Theseguidelinesdefineauniqueframework,focusedonthisparticularunit,forimplementingStateParks’diversemissionofresourcestewardship,visitoruse,interpretation,andvisitorservices.Thegeneralplandefinesthepurpose,vision,andlong‐termgoalsandguidelinesforparkmanagementforthenext20yearsormore.Typically,ageneralplanisnotaproject‐specificdocument;therefore,ittypicallydoesnotdefinespecificobjectives,methodologies,anddesignsonhowtoaccomplishthesegoals.Instead,itprovidesguidelinesforfuturelandmanagementandforthefacilitiesrequiredtoaccommodateexpectedvisitation.BecauseaGeneralPlanislikelytobeineffectforsolong,itmustbeflexibleenoughtoaccommodateexpectedenvironmentalchangewhileclearlyguidingdecision‐makingconsistentwiththeadoptedParkvision.

TheCaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityActof1970(CEQA)requiresstateagenciestoanalyzeanddisclosethepotentialenvironmentaleffects,bothdirectandindirect,ofaproposeddiscretionaryaction.TheEnvironmentalImpactReport(EIR)isanintegralcomponentofthisGeneralPlan.

FigureEES.1.SacramentoRiverConservationAreaandCoolusaSubreacch

Colusa‐SacramentoRiverSRAGeneralPlan |EXECUTIVESUMMARY iii

C. RELATEDPLANNINGEFFORTSANDPUBLICOUTREACH

Stakeholderinvolvementisanimportantcomponentofthegeneralplanprocess.ThepeopleofCaliforniahaveentrustedCaliforniaStateParkstomanagetheparksystem’snaturalandculturalresourceswhileprovidingrecreationalopportunitiesonthesepubliclands.Itisimportantforplannerstoobtaininputfromdiversesourcessothepark’svisionreflectstheneedsofawidecross‐sectionofCalifornians.Thefollowinggroupsandindividualsprovidedwritteninputorwereconsultedduringtheplanningprocessbegunin2006:Agencies.CityofColusa,ColusaCountyResourceConservationDistrict,ColusaUnifiedSchoolDistrict,ColusaCountyLocalAgencyFormationCommission,ColusaCounty,CentralValleyRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,CaliforniaDepartmentofWaterResources,CaliforniaDepartmentofFish&Wildlife,CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation,CentralValleyFloodProtectionBoard,CaliforniaStateLandsCommission,USArmyCorpsofEngineers,USFish&WildlifeServiceStakeholderGroups.ColusaChamberofCommerce,ColusaCountyGardenClub,ColusaCountyFarmBureau,FamilyWaterAlliance,SacramentoRiverTrust,SacramentoRiverConservationAreaForum,TheNatureConservancy,CaliforniaNativePlantSociety,MtLassenChapterNativeAmericanconsultation.Tentribalindividuals/organizationsontheNativeAmericanHeritageCommissionconsultationlistweremailedlettersrequestinginput.AdjacentPropertyOwnersandthePublic.AllCityutilityratepayers,includingadjacentpropertyowners,werenotified.TwopublicworkshopswereheldintheCityofColusa.TheCaliforniaParksandRecreationCommissionconductedapublichearingonthePreliminaryGeneralPlan/DraftEIR.

D. DECLARATIONOFPURPOSE.

ThepurposestatementdescribestheuniquerolethattheParkwillplayinmeetingtheCaliforniaStateParksmission.TheproposedDeclarationofPurposefortheParkisasfollows:

ThepurposeoftheColusa‐SacramentoRiverStateRecreationAreaistomakethepassiveandactiverecreationalopportunitieswhichareoffered

bytheSacramentoRiveranditsriverbankavailabletoallpeople;andtoprotectandenhancetheriparianandriverineenvironmentwhileaccommodatingchanginghydrologicconditionsandthesuccessionalprocesseswhichoccurintheColusaSubreach.

E. PARKVISION

TheproposedVisionStatementisasfollows:

F. ISSUESANDOPPORTUNITIES

Asaresultoftheoutreachtoagencies,stakeholdergroups,tribes,andthepublic,anumberofissuesandopportunitiesemergedthatareaddressedinthisGeneralPlan.Theseinclude:

UnitClassification.TheexistingunitclassificationasaStateRecreationAreawasfoundtobeappropriate.AccordingtoextensivestudiescitedinChapter2,theParkisthebestplaceintheSubreachtoincreaserecreationaluse,andmorerecreationalfacilitiesareneeded.RecreationwillremainaprimaryuseofthisParkwithnaturalandculturalresourcesvaluespreservedthroughmanagementgoalsandguidelines.

PurposeandVision.ThePurposeandVisionhighlightthesepriorities:1)thesignificantrecreationalexperiencesthatwillbeaccommodated,2)theprimaryecosystemvaluestobesupportedand,3)howthePark’sfacilities,landbase,managementandprogramscouldenhance

TheParkprovideshighqualityrecreationalexperiencesconsistentwiththedynamicriverineenvironmentoftheColusaSubreachoftheSacramentoRiver.Riveraccessisprovidedtoallvisitorswhoenjoyactivitiessuchasboating,floating,fishingandbeachactivities.TheParkanditsrecreationalfacilitiesencourageactive,healthylifestylesbyofferingwalking,bikingandpaddlingopportunitiesandotheroutdooractivities.TheParkalsoofferspassiverecreationalopportunitiessuchaspicnicking,

campingandwildlifeviewing.

TheParkholdspreciousremnantsofthehistorically‐extensiveGreatValleyRiparianForestandwetlandswhichareecologicallyimportanttothewatershed,thestate,andtheinternationalPacificFlyway.ThePark’sfloodwayresourcesareprotectedanditsbiodiversityisenhancedovertime.Theriverchannel,riparianforestandgrasslandsaremanagedasadynamicinterconnectedsystemdrivenbynaturalsuccessionalforcestotheextentcompatiblewithsurroundinglandusesandriverflowmanagementobjectives.Parkfacilitiesaccommodatefloodingwhereprudent

andminimizedisturbancetohabitatvalues.

PartnershipsengageCaliforniansinexperiencingandlearningaboutthedynamicnatureoftheSacramentoRiverwatershedandtheGreatValleylandscapeitnourishes,andtheState’sroleinmanagingitsabundantbiodiversity,itswatersupplyanditsfloodingpotential.ThePark’sfacilitiesandprogramsenhance

regionalrecreationalactivitiesbyofferingyear‐roundovernightaccommodations,boatlaunchingandlandingfacilities,eventspace,regionalrecreationinformationandlong‐distancebicyclinginfrastructure.Thehistoryandpre‐historyoftheregionareillustratedthroughlivinghistoryprograms,personalinterpretationandvarious

media,bothon‐andoff‐site.

Colusa‐SacramentoRiverSRAGeneralPlan |EXECUTIVESUMMARY v

regionalrecreation,preservebiologicaldiversityandprotectnaturalandculturalresourcesthroughpartnershipefforts.

RecreationOpportunities.Thereisanunmetandincreasingneedforoutdoorrecreationopportunities,facilitiesandservicesintheregion.TheParkisanappropriatelocationtoincreasemotorizedandhuman‐poweredboatingaccess,wildlifewatchingandnatureobservation,healthandfitnessactivities,riveraccess,overnightaccommodations,andsocialandculturalactivities.

InterpretationandEducation.Primaryaudiencesthatwouldbenefitfromincreasedinterpretiveprogrammingincludelocalandregionalschoolchildrenengagedinstandards‐basedlearning,localandCentralValleyfamiliesandadultslearningabouttheirculturalandnaturalresourcesheritage,NorthernCaliforniavisitorsengaginginwildlifeobservationandadultboatersexploringtheSacramentoRiver.

NaturalResourcesManagement.TheParksustainssignificantphysicalandbioticnaturalresources,includingspecialstatusplantandwildlifespecies,withintheSacramentoRiverConservationAreadesignatedbytheNaturalResourcesAgency.Specialmanagementgoalsandguidelinesfocusedontheexistinghabitatrestorationprojects,theSacramentoRiverfloodway,theformerriverchannel(commonlycalledRobertsDitch),andclimatechangewillhelppreservenaturalresourcevaluesasrecreationalactivitiesincrease.

FacilitiesandInfrastructureDevelopment.Expandingboating,parkentranceandcirculation,overnightaccommodations,picnicking,andriveraccessfacilitiesintheParkrequirecarefulconsideration,includingcollaborationwiththeParkpartnerslistedattheendofChapter2.Theconstructionofaboatlaunchrampintheadjacentcityparkwillrequirechangestobothfacilitiesandparkmanagement.ProvidingvehicleaccesstotheRESTORATIONPROJECT,RIPARIANAREAandSOUTHWESTPARCELwillrequiremodifyingvehiclecirculationfacilities.

ParkRevenues,OperationsandMaintenance.ParkmanagementiscurrentlysharedwiththeCityofColusa.ManagementgoalsandguidelinesforcontinuationofthispartnershipareincorporatedintothePlan,suchascompletingacost/benefitanalysistoestablishappropriatecost‐sharingwiththeCityofColusa,pursuingmission‐compatibleconcessionopportunities,andexploringmorecollaborativemanagementstructures.

CommunityConcernsandInput.ThemostsignificantcommunitydesireisforincreasedrecreationalfacilitiesandopportunitiesintheParkthatbenefittheCityofColusaresidentsandbusinesses.PartneringwiththeCityofColusatocompletetheproposedBoatLaunchingFacilityisparticularlyimportanttocommunitymembers.Somecommunitymembersareconcernedthatrelocatingtheparkentrancewillcreatesignificantlocalizedtrafficimpacts.Phasingimprovements,suchasanewcampgroundandentrancestation,overtimemayresolvetheseconcerns.

G. GENERALPLANPROPOSAL

TheGeneralPlanrecommendsthat,inordertomeettheParkVisionstatedearlier,opportunitiesforthefollowingrecreation&interpretiveactivitiesbeexpanded:

Motorizedandhuman‐poweredboating Wildlifewatchingandnatureobservation Trailactivitiessuchasbicycling,hiking,running,andorienteering Safepublicaccesstotheriver,includingforpersonswithmobilitychallenges RVandtentcampingforgroupsandindividuals,aswellasovernightlodging Largeandsmalloutdoorsocial,interpretiveandculturaleventsforgroupsandfamilies Informationandfacilitiesservingregionalrecreationopportunities

Thefollowingfacilitiesareallowableunderthisplan:

Pavedandunpavedroads,bicyclepathsandtrails Twoprimitivegroupcampgrounds(upto50tentseach) Unpaveddayuseparking(upto35spaces) Paveddayuse,boattrailer,anden‐routeparking(upto110spaces) Twoboatlaunches Boat‐inprimitivecampground(upto8tents) Maintenanceyardandstaffresidence IndividualandsmallgroupdevelopedcampgroundwithRVhookupsand/orcabins(upto

42sites) Individualandlargegroupdevelopedcampground(upto20sites) Picnicsites(upto44sites) Restrooms Outdooreventcenter Vehicleentranceimprovementsandentrancestation(potentiallyoff‐site) Boatlaunchingfacility(off‐site)

Increasingrecreationalopportunities,activitiesandassociatedfacilitiesmayimpactnaturalandculturalresourcesinthePark.Inordertoreduce,eliminateormitigatenegativeimpacts,goalsandguidelineshavebeendevelopedforParkmanagementinthefollowingcategories:

NaturalResourcesManagement(NRM) CulturalResourcesManagement(CRM) RecreationalandCommunityActivities(RCA) VisitorFacilityPlanning(VF) Infrastructure (INF) VisitorManagement(VM) ParkOperationsandMaintenance(O&M) InterpretationandEducation(I&E)

Colusa‐SacramentoRiverSRAGeneralPlan |EXECUTIVESUMMARY vii

Inadditiontothis,managementzonesforappropriaterecreationactivitiesandfacilitieshavebeenproposed,withzone‐specificgoalsandguidelines.AnalysisofthesiteopportunitiesandconstraintsconsideredthePark’sphysical,biotic,aesthetic,recreationalandculturalresources;aswellasexistingcirculationpatterns,surroundinglanduses,regionalplanninginfluences,andoperationalfactors.Thisanalysisledtodesignationofsixmanagementzonesandconsiderationofoff‐sitefacilitiestomeetneedsthatarenotabletobeaccommodatedinthePark:

MANAGEMENTZONE MANAGEMENTINTENT

Restoration/RecreationManagementZone(RESMZ)

Improvehabitatforregionally‐nativeplantsandanimals,improvebiologicalintegrityandfunction,andprovidefloodway‐compatiblerecreationalandeducationalactivities.

RiparianRecreationManagementZone(RIPMZ)

Perpetuatehabitatforregionally‐nativeplantsandanimals,allowecologicalprocessestonourishandsculptthelandscape,andprovidefloodway‐compatiblerecreationalactivities.

LeveeOverlayManagementZone(LOMZ)

Provideforfloodcontrol,aswellasvehicle,pedestrianandbicyclecirculation.

SouthwestManagementZone(SWMZ)

Continueadministrativeandmaintenancefunctions.Provideforcampingandovernightlodging.

ChannelManagementZone(CHMZ)

Protectecologicalprocessesthatnourishandsculptthelandscapewhilerecognizingthathistorichumanusesmaytakeprecedence.

SoutheastManagementZone(SEMZ)

Providediverse,concentratedrecreationalactivitiesinaflexiblymanagedurbanparksetting.

Off‐siteFacilities(OFF) Collaboratewithpartnerstoprovidedesirableoff‐sitefacilitiesandservices.Considerlandacquisition.

FigureES

S.2.ManagemmentZones

Colusa‐SacramentoRiverSRAGeneralPlan |EXECUTIVESUMMARY ix

H. IMPLEMENTATIONPLANNINGEFFORTS

BecausetheGeneralPlanisagenerallong‐rangedocument,implementingitwillrequiremoredetailedplanning.Implementationplanningeffortsmayincludefeasibilityreports,andsite‐specificdevelopmentplans.Ataminimum,thefollowingissueswillrequireadditionalplanningbeforetheycanbeimplemented:

1. Overnightaccommodations2. VehiclecirculationandParkentrance3. Parkoperation,includingtheboatlaunchingfacility

Overnightaccommodations.Providinganexpandedrangeofcampingandovernightlodgingopportunitiesin,ornearthePark,isrecommended.Moreprimitivecampingissuitableinthefloodwayandmoredevelopedaccommodationsshouldbeoutsidethefloodway.Afeasibilitystudywillassistthedepartmentwithidentifyingopportunitiessuchasjointmanagement,concessionoperation,andoff‐sitepartnerships,aswellasananalysisoffacilitysizeandamenitieswhichinfluencetheoperationalcost‐effectiveness.VehiclecirculationandParkentrance.Reconfiguringvehiclecirculation,includingtheentrancestation,isrecommendedtoimplementmanyofthefacilitiesallowedintheplanwhileprotectingnaturalresources,Parkfacilitiesandpublicsafety.TheGeneralPlanincludesdesignguidelinestoresolvethis,andother,circulationissues.ParkOperation.ParkfacilitiesarecurrentlyoperatedbytheCityofColusa.FutureoperationoftheParkmustbenegotiateduponexpirationofthecurrentOperatingAgreementinOctober2016andaftercompletionoftheCityofColusa’sproposedboatlaunchingfacility.TheGeneralPlanincludesseveralrecommendationsthatshouldbeconsideredduringthesenegotiations.

I. ENVIRONMENTALANALYSIS

ThisGeneralPlan/EIRprovidesaprogram‐levelevaluationofthepotentialforsignificantadverseenvironmentalimpactsonaesthetics,airquality,biologicalresources,culturalresources,geologyandsoils,agriculturalresources,greenhousegasemissions,hazardsandhazardousmaterials,hydrologyandwaterquality,landuseandplanning,mineralresources,noise,populationandhousing,publicservices,recreation,transportationandtraffic,andutilitiesandservicesystems.ThecriteriausedtodeterminethesignificanceofimpactsintheresourcediscussionswerederivedfromStateCEQAguidelines.

ImplementationoftheGeneralPlanisnotexpectedtoresultinsignificantimpactsontheenvironment,becausethegoalsandguidelinescontainedinChapter4ThePlan,theDepartmentOperationsManualpolicies,theDepartment’sStandardProjectRequirements,theDepartment’sTrailsManual,andDepartmentalNoticesinconjunctionwithfederal,state,andlocallawsandregulations,wouldavoidpotentiallysignificanteffectsormaintainthematless‐than‐significantlevels.

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