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Table of Contents
Volume 2 of 6
Page numbers are listed after each section title
Executive Summary ---- 1
Consultation ---- 1
Understanding the Project ---- 2
Environmental Protections ---- 5
Cultural Resources ---- 5
Wildlife ---- 5
Botanical Resources ---- 6
Endangered Species Alert Program ---- 6
Environmental Training Program ---- 7
Sign Posting ---- 7
Noxious Weeds ---- 7
Fisheries ---- 8
Recreation ---- 8
1.0 ---- Introduction ---- 1-1
2.0 ---- General Description of the Locale ---- 2-1
2.1 ---- Project Description ---- 2-1
2.1.1 ---- Diversion Dam ---- 2-1
2.1.2 ---- Settling Basin and Canal Intake ---- 2-2
2.1.3 ---- Water Conveyance System ---- 2-2
2.1.4 ---- Borel Powerhouse ---- 2-5
2.1.5 ---- Transmission Facilities ---- 2-5
2.1.5.1 ---- Power Distribution Equipment ---- 2-5
2.1.5.2 ---- Oil Storage and Handling System ---- 2-5
2.2 ---- Affected Environment ---- 2-5
2.2.1 ---- Climate ---- 2-6
2.2.2 ---- Topography ---- 2-6
2.2.3 ---- Drainage ---- 2-7
2.2.4 ---- Geology ---- 2-7
2.2.5 ---- Soils ---- 2-8
2.2.6 ---- Wetlands ---- 2-9
2.2.7 ---- Vegetative Cover ---- 2-9
2.2.8 ---- Land Development ---- 2-10
2.2.9 ---- Population Size and Density, and Economic Activity ---- 2-10
2.2.10 ---- Flood Plains and Flood Events ---- 2-11
3.0 ---- Report on Water Use and Quality ---- 3-1
3.1 ---- Water Use ---- 3-2
3.1.1 ---- Lake Isabella Operation ---- 3-2
3.1.2 ---- Other Hydropower Projects on the Lower Kern River ---- 3-2
3.1.3 ---- Diverted Reach of the Kern River ---- 3-3
3.1.3.1 ---- Flows in the Borel Canal ---- 3-4
3.1.3.2 ---- Kern River Diverted Reach Streamflow Effects ---- 3-4
3.1.3.3 ---- Kern River Below Borel Powerhouse Streamflow Effects ---- 3-19
3.1.3.4 ---- Water Rights ---- 3-20
3.2 ---- Water Quality ---- 3-21
3.2.1 ---- Previous Studies ---- 3-23
3.2.1.1 ---- Water Quality Information Contained in
Databases ---- 3-23
3.2.1.2 ---- Water Quality Information Contained in
Published Reports ---- 3-24
3.2.2 ---- Recent Studies ---- 3-27
3.2.2.1 ---- Water Quality Parameters ---- 3-27
3.2.2.2 ---- California Stream Bioassessment Survey ---- 3-63
3.2.2.3 ---- Non-Point Source Pollution ---- 3-65
3.2.2.3.1 ---- Project Area ---- 3-66
3.2.2.3.2 ---- Methods ---- 3-66
3.2.2.3.3 ---- Results ---- 3-69
3.2.3 ---- Potential Project-Related Effects ---- 3-73
3.2.4 ---- Plan for Oil and Hazardous Waste Storage and Spill
Prevention and Cleanup ---- 3-73
3.2.4.1 ---- Hazardous Waste Guidance Manual ---- 3-74
3.2.4.2 ---- Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure
Plan ---- 3-75
3.2.4.3 ---- Site Emergency Plan ---- 3-75
3.2.5 ---- Measures Recommended by the Agencies for Mitigation of Impacts, or Protection or Improvement of Water Quality ---- 3-75
3.2.6 ---- Existing Measures and Facilities Continued or Proposed
by the Applicant for the Protection of Water Quality ---- 3-75
4.0 ---- Report on Fish, Wildlife and Botanical Resources ---- 4-1
4.1 ---- Fishery Resources ---- 4-2
4.1.1 ---- Introduction ---- 4-2
4.1.2 ---- Sources of Information ---- 4-3
4.1.2.1 ---- Fish Populations ---- 4-3
4.1.2.2 ---- Benthic Macroinvertebrates ---- 4-4
4.1.2.3 ---- Physical Habitat Modeling ---- 4-4
4.1.2.4 ---- Water Quality ---- 4-4
4.1.2.5 ---- Entrainment Study ---- 4-5
4.1.3 ---- Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the Kern River in the Borel Project Area ---- 4-5
4.1.3.1 ---- Fish Population Survey ---- 4-5
4.1.3.1.1 ---- Methods ---- 4-5
4.1.3.1.2 ---- Results ---- 4-8
4.1.3.1.3 ---- Fish Population Conclusions ---- 4-12
4.1.3.2 ---- Creel/Angler Survey ---- 4-14
4.1.3.2.1 ---- Methods ---- 4-14
4.1.3.2.2 ---- Results ---- 4-15
4.1.3.3 ---- Fish Stocking Program ---- 4-16
4.1.3.4 ---- Benthic Macroinvertebrates ---- 4-17
4.1.3.4.1 ---- Methods ---- 4-17
4.1.3.4.2 ---- Results ---- 4-17
4.1.4 ---- Habitat Conditions and Requirements of the Fishes of the
Kern River in the Borel Project Area ---- 4-19
4.1.4.1 ---- Instream Flow ---- 4-19
4.1.4.2 ---- Physical Habitat ---- 4-20
4.1.4.3 ---- Water Temperature ---- 4-22
4.1.4.4 ---- Dissolved Oxygen ---- 4-28
4.1.5 ---- Fish Entrainment ---- 4-29
4.1.5.1 ---- Outlet Facilities ---- 4-29
4.1.5.2 ---- Fish Occurrences in the Borel Canal ---- 4-31
4.1.5.3 ---- Entrainment Vulnerability ---- 4-32
4.1.5.3.1 ---- Fish Species Present near the Dam Outlet ---- 4-32
4.1.5.3.2 ---- Swimming Speeds ---- 4-32
4.1.5.3.3 ---- Outlet Flow Velocities ---- 4-34
4.1.5.4 ---- Conclusions ---- 4-35
4.1.6 ---- Potential Project-Related Effects ---- 4-36
4.1.6.1 ---- History of Potential Project-Related Effects ---- 4-36
4.1.6.2 ---- On-Going Project-Related Effects ---- 4-38
4.1.6.2.1 ---- Lake Isabella Operations ---- 4-38
4.1.6.2.2 ---- Effects on Kern River Fishes ---- 4-39
4.1.7 ---- Measures and Facilities Recommended by the Agencies for Mitigation of Impacts, or Protection or Improvement of Fishery Resources ---- 4-45
4.1.8 ---- Existing Measures and Facilities Continued or Proposed by the Applicant for the Protection of Fishery Resources ---- 4-46
4.1.9 ---- Implementation and Construction of Fish Protection Facilities ---- 4-46
4.2 ---- Wildlife Resources ---- 4-46
4.2.1 ---- Consultation ---- 4-46
4.2.2 ---- Overview of Wildlife Resources and Habitat in the Borel
Project Area ---- 4-47
4.2.3 ---- Wildlife Surveys ---- 4-49
4.2.4 ---- Results and Potential Project-Related Effects ---- 4-60
4.2.5 ---- Measures and Facilities Recommended by the Agencies for Mitigation of Impacts, or Protection of Wildlife Resources ---- 4-66
4.2.6 ---- Measures and Facilities Proposed by the Applicant for the Protection of Wildlife Resources ---- 4-66
4.3 ---- Botanical Resources ---- 4-67
4.3.1 ---- Consultation ---- 4-67
4.3.2 ---- Study and Survey Methods ---- 4-67
4.3.2.1 ---- Special Status Species and Noxious Weeds ---- 4-67
4.3.2.2 ---- Riparian Studies ---- 4-69
4.3.3 ---- Botanical Resources in the Borel Project Area ---- 4-70
4.3.3.1 ---- Plant Communities ---- 4-70
4.3.3.2 ---- Special Status Plants ---- 4-75
4.3.3.3 ---- Noxious Weeds ---- 4-78
4.3.4 ---- Potential Project-Related Effects On Botanical Resources ---- 4-80
4.3.4.1 ---- Special Status Plants ---- 4-80
4.3.4.2 ---- Riparian Vegetation ---- 4-80
4.3.4.3 ---- Noxious Weeds ---- 4-81
4.3.5 ---- Measures and Facilities Recommended by the Agencies for Mitigation of Impacts, or Protection of Botanical Resources ---- 4-82
4.3.6 ---- Measures and Facilities Proposed by the Applicant for the Protection of Botanical Resources ---- 4-82
4.3.6.1 ---- Special Status Plants and Plant Communities ---- 4-82
4.3.6.2 ---- Noxious Weeds ---- 4-83
5.0 ---- Report on Historical and Archeological Resources ---- 5-1
5.1 ---- Introduction ---- 5-1
5.2 ---- Project Description and Location ---- 5-2
5.3 ---- Environmental Setting ---- 5-3
5.4 ---- Cultural Setting ---- 5-4
5.4.1 ---- Prehistoric Setting ---- 5-4
5.4.2 ---- Ethnographic Setting ---- 5-7
5.4.3 ---- Historic Setting ---- 5-9
5.5 ---- Analysis of Project Effects and Proposed Historic Properties
Management Plan ---- 5-12
5.6 ---- Agency and Native American Consultation ---- 5-13
6.0 ---- Report on Recreational Resources ---- 6-1
6.1 ---- Consultation ---- 6-2
6.2 ---- Setting ---- 6-2
6.3 ---- Lake Isabella ---- 6-3
6.3.1 ---- Developed Recreation Areas ---- 6-3
6.3.1.1 ---- Camp 9 Campground ---- 6-3
6.3.1.2 ---- Stine Cove Recreation Area ---- 6-4
6.3.1.3 ---- Hanning Flat Recreation Area ---- 6-4
6.3.1.4 ---- Kissack Cove ---- 6-4
6.3.1.5 ---- Paradise Cove Campground ---- 6-4
6.3.1.6 ---- South Fork Recreation Area, Old Isabella Road,
and Auxiliary Dam Recreation Areas ---- 6-4
6.3.1.7 ---- Isabella Peninsula ---- 6-7
6.3.1.8 ---- Pioneer Point Campground ---- 6-7
6.3.1.9 ---- French Gulch Group Area ---- 6-7
6.3.1.10 ---- French Gulch Parking Area ---- 6-7
6.3.1.11 ---- Hungry Gulch Campground ---- 6-7
6.3.1.12 ---- Boulder Gulch Campground ---- 6-7
6.3.1.13 ---- Tillie Creek Campground and Group Area ---- 6-7
6.3.1.14 ---- Live Oak North and South Campgrounds and
Live Oak Group Area ---- 6-8
6.3.2 ---- Dispersed Recreation Areas ---- 6-8
6.3.3 ---- Boat Access ---- 6-8
6.3.4 ---- Other Recreation Areas ---- 6-8
6.3.4.1 ---- Kern River Preserve ---- 6-9
6.3.4.2 ---- South Fork Wildlife Area ---- 6-9
6.3.4.3 ---- Cyrus Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)
Track ---- 6-9
6.3.5 ---- Capacity of Developed Campgrounds ---- 6-9
6.3.6 ---- Existing Use ---- 6-10
6.3.7 ---- Carrying Capacity and Potential Conflicts between
User Groups ---- 6-11
6.3.8 ---- Establishing a Minimum Pool ---- 6-13
6.3.9 ---- Recreation-related Impacts ---- 6-16
6.3.9.1 ---- Cyrus Canyon OHV Area ---- 6-16
6.3.9.2 ---- South Fork Wildlife Area ---- 6-16
6.3.9.3 ---- Developed and Semi-developed Recreation Areas ---- 6-16
6.4 ---- Lower Kern River ---- 6-18
6.4.1 ---- USFS Management Objectives ---- 6-18
6.4.2 ---- BLM Management Objectives ---- 6-19
6.4.3 ---- Kern County Management Objectives ---- 6-20
6.4.4 ---- Developed Overnight Campgrounds ---- 6-20
6.4.4.1 ---- Main Dam Campground ---- 6-20
6.4.4.2 ---- Sandy Flat Campground ---- 6-20
6.4.4.3 ---- Hobo Campground ---- 6-21
6.4.5 ---- Developed Day Use Areas ---- 6-21
6.4.5.1 ---- Slippery Rock ---- 6-21
6.4.5.2 ---- BLM South ---- 6-23
6.4.5.3 ---- BLM at Keyesville Bridge (BLM North) ---- 6-23
6.4.5.4 ---- Miracle Hot Springs ---- 6-23
6.4.5.5 ---- Delonegha Access and Boat Launch ---- 6-24
6.4.5.6 ---- Democrat Beach Day Use Area and Take-out ---- 6-24
6.4.6 ---- Dispersed Use Areas ---- 6-24
6.4.6.1 ---- Keyesville Special Management Area ---- 6-25
6.4.6.2 ---- Black Gulch South ---- 6-26
6.4.6.3 ---- Black Gulch North ---- 6-26
6.4.6.4 ---- China Gardens ---- 6-26
6.4.7 ---- Camping Opportunities in the River Canyon ---- 6-26
6.4.8 ---- Private Recreation Areas and Access Points ---- 6-27
6.4.9 ---- Trails ---- 6-27
6.4.9.1 ---- Hobo Fishing Trail (32E60) ---- 6-27
6.4.9.2 ---- Kern River Trail (32E49) ---- 6-27
6.4.9.3 ---- Mill Creek Trail (31E78) ---- 6-28
6.4.9.4 ---- Patch Corner (31E82) ---- 6-28
6.4.9.5 ---- Remington Ridge Trial (32E51) ---- 6-28
6.4.9.6 ---- East Kern Canyon Trail (31E74) ---- 6-28
6.4.9.7 ---- Badger Gap Trail (31E76) ---- 6-28
6.4.9.8 ---- Mountain Biking Trails ---- 6-29
6.4.10 ---- Borel Project Roads and Trails ---- 6-30
6.4.11 ---- Accessibility of Facilities ---- 6-30
6.4.11.1 ---- Main Dam Campground ---- 6-32
6.4.11.2 ---- Slippery Rock ---- 6-32
6.4.11.3 ---- BLM South ---- 6-33
6.4.11.4 ---- BLM North (BLM at Keyesville Bridge) ---- 6-33
6.4.11.5 ---- Black Gulch North and South ---- 6-33
6.4.11.6 ---- Sandy Flat Campground ---- 6-33
6.4.11.7 ---- Hobo Campground ---- 6-33
6.4.11.8 ---- Miracle Hot Springs ---- 6-34
6.4.11.9 ---- Delonegha Access and Boat Launch ---- 6-34
6.4.11.10 ---- China Gardens ---- 6-34
6.4.11.11 ---- Democrat Beach ---- 6-34
6.4.12 ---- National Wild and Scenic River System, Wilderness and
Special Interest Areas ---- 6-34
6.4.13 Whitewater Boating ---- 6-35
6.4.13.1 ---- Private Boating Use based on Sequoia National
Forest Manifest Database ---- 6-37
6.4.13.2 ---- Controlled Flow Study ---- 6-40
6.4.13.3 ---- BLM’s Flow Study Request ---- 6-40
6.4.14 ---- Carrying Capacity ---- 6-41
6.4.14.1 ---- Facility Capacity ---- 6-42
6.4.14.2 ---- Social Capacity ---- 6-42
6.4.15 ---- Visitor Use and Distribution ---- 6-44
6.4.15.1 ---- General Visitors ---- 6-44
6.4.15.1.1 ---- User Characteristics ---- 6-44
6.4.15.1.2 ---- User Preferences and Levels of Satisfaction ---- 6-46
6.4.15.2 ---- Whitewater Boaters ---- 6-50
6.4.15.2.1 ---- Boaters Using Commercial Outfitters ---- 6-51
6.4.15.2.2 ---- Private Boaters ---- 6-52
6.4.15.3 ---- Existing Recreation Use ---- 6-53
6.4.15.4 ---- Anglers ---- 6-53
6.4.15.5 ---- Economics of Current Recreation Activity ---- 6-56
6.4.15.5.1 ---- Existing Economic Conditions ---- 6-56
6.4.15.5.2 ---- Effects of Recreation Activity in the Project Area ---- 6-59
6.4.15.5.3 ---- Other Economic Benefits ---- 6-60
6.4.15.6 ---- Future Demand and Visitor Use ---- 6-61
6.4.15.6.1 ---- Projected Population Growth ---- 6-61
6.4.15.6.2 ---- Current Recreation Trends and Influencing Factors ---- 6-62
6.4.15.6.3 ---- Projected Use and Supply Constraints ---- 6-62
6.4.16 ---- Recreation Flow Assessment ---- 6-62
6.4.16.1 ---- Introduction ---- 6-62
6.4.16.2 ---- Flow Information ---- 6-63
6.4.16.3 ---- Acceptability of Flow Conditions ---- 6-63
6.4.17 ---- Potential Project-related Impacts ---- 6-65
6.4.17.1 ---- Lake Isabella Area ---- 6-65
6.4.17.2 ---- Kern River Area ---- 6-67
6.5 ---- Measures and Facilities Recommended by the Agencies for Mitigation of Impacts, or Protection of Recreation Resources ---- 6-68
6.6 ---- Existing Measures and Facilities Continued or Proposed by the Applicant for the Protection of Recreation Resources ---- 6-70
7.0 ---- Report on Land Management and Aesthetics ---- 7-1
7.1 ---- Land Management ---- 7-2
7.1.1 ---- Land Jurisdiction ---- 7-2
7.1.2 ---- Existing Land Uses ---- 7-6
7.1.2.1 ---- Existing Hydroelectric Facilities ---- 7-6
7.1.2.2 ---- Transportation ---- 7-6
7.1.2.3 ---- Recreational Uses ---- 7-7
7.1.3 ---- Planned Land Uses ---- 7-11
7.1.3.1 ---- Federal Plans and Policies ---- 7-11
7.2 ---- Aesthetics ---- 7-22
7.2.1 ---- Methods ---- 7-23
7.2.2 ---- Findings ---- 7-28
7.3 ---- Wetlands and Related Waters ---- 7-30
7.3.1 ---- Wetlands ---- 7-30
7.3.2 ---- Floodplains ---- 7-38
7.4 ---- Public Access ---- 7-38
7.5 ---- Impacts Summary ---- 7-38
7.5.1 ---- Land Management ---- 7-38
7.5.2 ---- Aesthetics ---- 7-39
7.5.3 ---- Wetlands and Related Waters ---- 7-39
7.6 ---- Agency Recommended Mitigation Measures ---- 7-39
7.7 ---- Proposed Mitigative Measures ---- 7-40
7.7.1 ---- Land Management ---- 7-40
7.7.2 ---- Aesthetic Resources ---- 7-40
7.7.3 ---- Wetlands and Related Waters ---- 7-40
8.0 ---- Comprehensive Plans and Cumulative Impacts ---- 8-1
8.1 ---- Comprehensive Plans ---- 8-1
8.1.1 ---- California Department of Parks and Recreation ---- 8-2
8.1.1.1 ---- Findings ---- 8-2
8.1.1.2 ---- Recommendations ---- 8-3
8.1.2 ---- Recreation Needs in California ---- 8-4
8.1.3 ---- California Water Plan Update Bulletin 160-98 ---- 8-4
8.1.3.1 ---- Wild and Scenic River Flows ---- 8-5
8.1.3.2 ---- Instream Flows ---- 8-5
8.1.3.3 ---- Wetlands ---- 8-5
8.1.4 ---- Water Quality Control Plan, Tulare Lake Basin, Part 1 ---- 8-6
8.1.5 ---- Sequoia National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan ---- 8-7
8.1.6 ---- Sierra Nevada Framework ---- 8-9
8.1.7 ---- Caliente Resource Management Plan ---- 8-9
8.1.8 ---- Nationwide Rivers Inventory ---- 8-10
8.1.9 ---- Lake Isabella Master Plan ---- 8-11
8.1.10 ---- Kern County General Plan, Lake Isabella Priority Plan,
West Half, and Non-jurisdictional Land Supplement to
the Kern County General Plan, and amendments ---- 8-11
8.2 ---- Cumulative Impacts ---- 8-13
8.2.1 ---- Introduction ---- 8-13
8.2.1.1 ---- Development within the Kern River Drainage
Basin ---- 8-13
8.2.1.2 ---- Isabella Reservoir ---- 8-15
8.2.1.3 ---- Target Resources ---- 8-16
8.2.1.4 ---- Beneficial Uses ---- 8-17
8.2.1.5 ---- Health and Safety ---- 8-17
9.0 ---- Consultation Documentation ---- 9-1
9.1 ---- Consultation with Resource Agencies and Indian Tribes ---- 9-3
9.2 ---- Letters from the Public ---- 9-4
9.3 ---- Notice of Disagreements Regarding Studies ---- 9-4
9.4 ---- Notice of Disagreements Regarding Environmental Protection, Mitigation, or Enhancement Measures ---- 9-5
9.5 ---- Waivers ---- 9-6
9.6 ---- Evidence of Consultation ---- 9-6
9.7 ---- Compliance with Comprehensive Plans ---- 9-6
9.8 ---- Water Quality Certification ---- 9-6
9.9 ---- Significant Resource Issues Raised During the Joint Agency/Public Meeting ---- 9-7
10.0 ---- References and Literature Cited ---- 10-1
List of Tables
Average Monthly Flows After Reservoir Construction (cfs) ---- 4
Table 2-1 ---- Monthly Distribution of Mean Temperatures at Isabella Dam ---- 2-6
Table 3.1-1 ---- Kern River Streamflow in Diverted Reach ---- 3-7
Table 3.1-2 ---- Maximum Ramping Rate per Month Diverted Reach of the Kern River ---- 3-16
Table 3.1-3 ---- Kern River Below Lake Isabella Rating Table ---- 3-19
Table 3.2-1 ---- Sites and Years of Historic Water Quality Sampling in the Borel
Project Area ---- 3-24
Table 3.2-2 ---- Maximum, Minimum, Mean, and Median Values for Water Quality Parameters from Previous Studies in the Kern River ---- 3-25
Table 3.2-3 ---- Maximum, Minimum, Mean, and Median Values for Water Quality Parameters from Previous Studies in Lake Isabella ---- 3-26
Table 3.2-4 ---- Laboratory Water Quality Parameters and Analysis Methods ---- 3-29
Table 3.2-5 ---- Kern River and Lake Isabella Water Quality Results, May, 2001 ---- 3-31
Table 3.2-6 ---- Kern River and Lake Isabella Water Quality Results, June, 2001 ---- 3-33
Table 3.2-7 ---- Kern River and Lake Isabella Water Quality Results, July, 2001 ---- 3-35
Table 3.2-8 ---- Kern River and Lake Isabella Water Quality Results, August, 2001 ---- 3-38
Table 3.2-9 ---- Kern River and Lake Isabella Water Quality Results, September, 2001 ---- 3-41
Table 3.2-10 ---- Lake Isabella Limnology Survey Water Quality Results, August, 2001 ---- 3-44
Table 3.2-11 ---- Lake Isabella Limnology Survey Water Quality Results, September, 2001 ---- 3-45
Table 3.2-12 ---- Lake Isabella Limnology Survey Water Quality Results, October, 2001 ---- 3-46
Table 3.2-13 ---- Lake Isabella Limnology Survey Water Quality Results, November, 2001 ---- 3-47
Table 3.2-14 ---- Total Coliform (E. coli) Results (MPN/100mL) from Repeated Sampling ---- 3-62
Table 3.2-15 ---- Fecal Coliform (E. coli) Results (MPN/100mL) from Repeated Sampling ---- 3-63
Table 3.2-16 ---- Statistical Groupings of Mean Station Metrics for Kern River Benthic Macroinvertebrates ---- 3-64
Table 3.2-17 ---- Summary of Cumulative Watershed Effects from Borel Canal and Facilities ---- 3-69
Table 3.2-18 ---- Summary of Cumulative Watershed Effects from Recreation Areas and Access ---- 3-71
Table 3.2-19 ---- Summary of Types and Quantities of Oil and Hazardous Substances at the Borel Powerhouse ---- 3-74
Table 4.1-1 ---- Locations and Dimensions of Electrofishing Sites Surveyed in the Lower Kern River, April 2001 ---- 4-8
Table 4.1-2 ---- Estimates of Fish Species Population (Number of Fish) and Biomass (Pounds per Acre) in the Borel Project Reach Electrofishing Survey Sites 4-9
Table 4.1-3 ---- Location, Dimensions, and Diver Visibility of Pools Censused During the Snorkel Survey in the Borel Project Reach, April 2001 ---- 4-11
Table 4.1-4 ---- Numbers of Various Fishes Counted During the Snorkel Survey of Pools in the Borel Project Reach, April, 2001 ---- 4-12
Table 4.1-5 ---- Mean Percentages of Fish Species Captured at Electrofishing Sites in the Project Reach of the Kern River in April 2001 and January 1985 ---- 4-13
Table 4.1-6 ---- Mean Fish Population Estimates (fish per 200 feet) from Three Electrofishing Sites in the Borel Reach (April, 2001) and Five Sites in the KR-1 Reach (October, 1999) of the Kern River ---- 4-13
Table 4.1-7 ---- Survey Sections for Angler and Creel Census Survey ---- 4-15
Table 4.1-8 ---- Angler Catch Rates (fish per hour) from Three Survey Sections ---- 4-16
Table 4.1-9 ---- Estimated Densities (organsisms per square foot) of Major Benthic Macroinvertebrate Taxa at Sampling Stations in Borel Project Area ---- 4-18
Table 4.2-1 ---- Sensitive Wildlife Species, Status, Associated Habitat Types and Facilities ---- 4-50
Table 4.2-2 ---- Summary of Wildlife Surveys Conducted for the Borel Hydroelectric Project ---- 4-51
Table 4.3-1 ---- Noxious Weeds Potentially Occurring with the Borel Project Area ---- 4-68
Table 4.3-2 ---- Foothill Woodland Associated Mapping Conventions ---- 4-73
Table 4.3-3 ---- Riparian Habitat Mapping Conventions ---- 4-73
Table 4.3-4 ---- Special Status Plants Potentially Occurring within the Borel Project Area ---- 4-76
Table 4.3-5 ---- Noxious Weeds Occurring with the Borel Project Area ---- 4-78
Table 6-1 ---- Capacity of Campgrounds Surrounding Lake Isabella ---- 6-10
Table 6-2 ---- California Land Management Developed Campsite Visitor Information ---- 6-11
Table 6-3 ---- Number of Accidents, Injuries and Fatalities at Lake Isabella 1995 through 2001 ---- 6-12
Table 6-4 ---- Types of Accidents at Lake Isabella 1995 through 2001 ---- 6-12
Table 6-5 ---- Main Causes for Accidents at Lake Isabella 1995 through 2001 ---- 6-13
Table 6-6 ---- Private Boating Use Breakdown (2001) ---- 6-38
Table 6-7 ---- Private Boating Use Breakdown (2002) ---- 6-39
Table 6-8 ---- Boating Use Compared to Flow Diverted Reach (2001) ---- 6-39
Table 6-9 ---- Estimated Number of Boating Days in the Borel Diverted Reach of the Kern River ---- 6-41
Table 6-10 ---- Lower Kern River, between Lake Isabella and Democrat Dam Campground Capacities ---- 6-42
Table 6-11 ---- Recreation Activities that Visitors Participated in, by Reach ---- 6-43
Table 6-12 ---- Overall Level of Acceptability of Experience along the River, by Reach ---- 6-43
Table 6-13 ---- Reasons for Visiting the Project Area, by Reach ---- 6-45
Table 6-14 ---- Trip Characteristics by Visitors to the Project Area 6-46
Table 6-15 ---- Sociodemographic Characteristics of Visitors to the Project Area ---- 6-47
Table 6-16 ---- Acceptability of Recreation Conditions in the Project Area, by Reach ---- 6-48
Table 6-17 ---- Water Conditions Allowing for Participating in All Planned Activities ---- 6-49
Table 6-18 ---- Number of People Expected to See at this Location ---- 6-49
Table 6-19 ---- Number of People Wanted to See at this Location ---- 6-50
Table 6-20 ---- Improvements or Changes Suggested by Visitors, by Reach ---- 6-51
Table 6-21 ---- Recreation Use along the Lower Kern River, by Reach and Activity Group (May 2001 through April 2002) ---- 6-54
Table 6-22 ---- Recreation Use (excluding whitewater boating) along the Lower Kern River by Location and Season, May, 2001 through April, 2002 ---- 6-55
Table 6-23 ---- Estimated 2001 Employment and Personal Income for Kern County ---- 6-57
Table 6-24 ---- Local Area Socioeconomic Indicators ---- 6-58
Table 6-25 ---- Economic Impacts in Kern County Attributable to Recreation Activity in the Project Area ---- 6-60
Table 6-26 ---- Population Characteristics ---- 6-62
Table 6-27 ---- Flow Preference of Visitors to the Diverted Reach, by Activity Group ---- 6-66
Table 6-28 ---- Flow Preference of Visitors to the Downstream Reach, by Activity Group ---- 6-66
Table 6-29 ---- Estimated Number of Boating Days in the Diverted Reach of the Kern River using SCE’s Flow Augmentation Proposal ---- 6-71
Table 7-1 ---- Population and Housing Characteristics of Project Area Communities ---- 7-10
Table 7-2 ---- Borel Project Visual Assessment Summary ---- 7-29
Table 9-1 ---- Consultation Documentation – Letters ---- 9-8
Table 9-2 ---- Consultation Documentation – Telephone and E-Mail Records ---- 9-11
Table 9-3 ---- Consultation Documentation – Press Releases ---- 9-12
Table 9-4 ---- Consultation Documentation – Meetings ---- 9-13
Table 9-5 ---- First Stage Consultation Package Comments and Responses ---- 9-14
List of Figures
Figure 2-1 ---- Kern River and Borel Reach Project Vicinity ---- 2-3
Figure 2-2 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project Location ---- 2-4
Figure 3.1-1 ---- Kern River Below Lake Isabella Impaired, Unimpaired and Total Streamflow ---- 3-8
Figure 3.1-2 ---- Lake Isabella Outflow to Kern River Diverted Reach ---- 3-17
Figure 3.2-1 ---- Location of Borel Project Water Quality Survey Sampling Stations ---- 3-30
Figure 3.2-2 ---- Mean Daily Air and Water Temperatures and Mean Daily Flows,Borel Reach of Kern River, 2001 ---- 3-49
Figure 3.2-3 ---- Lake Isabella Temperatures Main Dam: May – November, 2001 ---- 3-50
Figure 3.2-4 ---- Lake Isabella Oxygen Concentrations Main Dam: May – November, 2001 ---- 3-61
Figure 4.1-1 ---- Fish Population Survey Sites in the Borel Project Reach ---- 4-7
Figure 4.1-2 ---- Length-frequency Distributions for Sacramento Suckers Captured at Three Electrofishing Sites in Borel Project Reach of the Kern River, April, 2001 ---- 4-10
Figure 4.1-3 ---- Kern River Streamflows below Lake Isabella ---- 4-21
Figure 4.1-4 ---- Mean Daily Air and Water Temperatures, Borel Project Reach of Kern River, 2001 ---- 4-24
Figure 4.1-5 ---- Mean Daily Flows, Kern River and Borel Canal, 2001 ---- 4-26
Figure 4.1-6 ---- Lake Isabella Water Temperatures Main Dam: May – November, 2001 ---- 4-27
Figure 4.1-7 ---- Lake Isabella Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations, Main Dam: May – November, 2001 ---- 4-30
Figure 4.1-8 ---- Borel Canal Approach to Auxiliary Dam Outlet with Very Low Surface Elevation of Lake Isabella, November 2001 ---- 4-31
Figure 4.1-9 ---- Swimming Speeds of Fish of Different Lengths ---- 4-34
Figure 4.1-10 ---- Average Flow Velocity with Distance from Dam Intake ---- 4-35
Figure 4.1-11 ---- Kern River Streamflow Below Lake Isabella ---- 4-42
Figure 4.3-1 ---- Distribution of Foothill Woodlands and Riparian Communities ---- 4-72
Figure 6-1 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project Land Jurisdictions ---- 6-5
Figure 6-2 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project Recreation Facilities around Isabella Lake ---- 6-6
Figure 6-3 ---- Lake Isabella Portion of Borel Flowline ---- 6-15
Figure 6-4 ---- Recreation Sites along the Lower Kern River between Isabella Lake and Democrat Dam ---- 6-21
Figure 6-5 ---- Roads, Bridges, and Pedestrian Crossings ---- 6-32
Figure 6-6 ---- River Flow (cfs) May 1, 2001 through July 31, 2002. ---- 6-61
Figure 7-1 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project Location ---- 7-3
Figure 7-2 ---- Kern River and Borel Reach Project Vicinity ---- 7-4
Figure 7-3 ---- Project Area Land Jurisdictions ---- 7-5
Figure 7-4 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project Land Management Area ---- 7-8
Figure 7-5 ---- Recreation Sites Along the Lower Kern River ---- 7-9
Figure 7-6 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project SQF Resources and Land
Management Plan ---- 7-14
Figure 7-7 ---- Borel Hydroelectric Project Caliente Management Area (BLM) ---- 7-17
Figure 7-8 ---- Proposed BLM Land Exchange ---- 7-18
Figure 7-9 ---- Views of East-west Access in Lake Isabella Community ---- 7-21
Figure 7-10 ---- Views of Borel Canal ---- 7-23
Figure 7-11 ---- Location of Key Observation Points ---- 7-32
Figure 7-12 ---- Views from East Side-Camp Nine ---- 7-33
Figure 7-13 ---- Views from French Gulch Native American Interpretive Center and Parking ---- 7-34
Figure 7-14 ---- View from Keyesville (BLM) South ---- 7-35
Figure 7-15 ---- Views at State Highway 178 ---- 7-36
Figure 7-16 ---- Views at Black Gulch ---- 7-38
Figure 7-17 ---- Views at Sandy Flat ---- 7-38
List of Appendices
Volume 3 of 6
A. Kern River Basic Hydrology Information
B. Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration Analysis Results
C. Historic Water Quality Data for the Kern River in the Borel Project Area and Lake Isabella
D. Technical Report on the Limnology of Lake Isabella
E. Technical Report on California Stream Bioassessment (Benthic Macroinvertebrates) of the Kern River near SCE’s Borel Project
F. Equations for Determining Numerical Basin Plan Objectives for Ammonia, Copper, Lead and Zinc
G. Project Area Map of NPS Pollution Sites
H. Stiff Diagrams
I. Worksheets
J. Hazardous Waste Guidance Manual
K. Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan
Volume 4 of 6
L. Site Emergency Plan
M. Technical Report on Fish Population Monitoring, Lower Kern River, Kern County, California, April 2001
N. Creel Census/Angler Survey Results
O. Technical Report on Fish Entrainment into the Borel Canal
P. Riparian Analysis for the Borel Project
Q.. Borel Project Roads and Trails
R Bureau of Land Management Whitewater Boating Objectives Study
S. Recreation Use and Suitability Study
T. Recreation Technical Report
U. Summary of Kern River Fisheries Studies
V. Boating Flow Augmentation in the Borel Project Diverted Reach of the Kern River
W. Forest Service Manifest Database and Corresponding Flow Information
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
List of Acronyms
|
AWA |
American Whitewater Association |
|
BLM |
U.S. Bureau of Land Management |
|
BMP |
Best Management Practices |
|
CCC |
California Campground Company |
|
CFR |
Code of Federal Regulations |
|
CLM |
California Land Management |
|
CNDDB |
California Natural Diversity Data Base |
|
CNPS |
California Native Plant Society |
|
Corps |
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|
CRAMP |
Caliente Resource Area Management Plan |
|
CRLF |
California Red-Legged Frog |
|
CRWQCB |
California Regional Water Quality Control Board |
|
CRWW |
Chuck Richards Whitewater |
|
CSB |
California Stream Bioassessment |
|
CWE |
Cumulative Watershed Effects |
|
DFG |
California Department of Fish and Game |
|
DOBW |
California Department of Boating and Waterways |
|
EA |
Environmental Assessment |
|
ECPA |
Electric Consumers Protection Act |
|
EIS |
Environmental Impact Statement |
|
EPA |
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
|
ERA |
Equivalent Roaded Area |
|
EVC |
Existing Visual Condition |
|
FERC |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
|
FSCP |
First Stage Consultation Package |
|
FWS |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
|
FYLF |
Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog |
|
HPMP |
Historic Properties Management Plan |
|
IHA |
Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration |
|
KOP |
Key Observation Points |
|
KR&LAEP |
Kern River and Los Angeles Electric Power Company |
|
KR-1 |
Kern River No. 1 |
|
KRT |
Kern River Tours |
|
MOA |
Memorandum of Agreement |
|
NHPA |
National Historic Preservation Act |
|
NPS |
Non-Point Source |
|
NRHP |
National Register of Historic Places |
|
O&M |
Operation and Maintenance |
|
OA |
Outdoor Adventures |
|
OHP |
Office of Historic Preservation |
|
OHV |
Off-Highway Vehicle |
|
PAOT |
People At One Time |
|
PG&E |
Pacific Gas & Electric Company |
|
PHABSIM |
Physical Habitat Simulation |
|
PM&E |
Protection, Mitigation, or Enhancement |
|
PT&L |
Power, Transit, and Light Company |
|
PW |
Personal Watercraft |
|
RMA |
Recreation Management Area |
|
ROS |
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum |
|
RV |
Recreational Vehicle |
|
RVD |
Recreation Visitor Days |
|
RWQCB |
Regional Water Quality Control Board |
|
SCE |
Southern California Edison Company |
|
SHPO |
State Historic Preservation Officer |
|
SMA |
Special Management Area |
|
SNF |
Sequoia National Forest |
|
SPCC |
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures |
|
SWRCB |
California State Water Resources Control Board |
|
TCP |
Traditional Cultural Property |
|
USFS |
U.S. Forest Service |
|
USGS |
U.S. Geological Survey |
|
VAC |
Visual Absorption Capability |
|
VELB |
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle |
|
VMS |
Visual Management System |
|
VQO |
Visual Quality Objectives |
|
W&SR |
Wild & Scenic Rivers |
|
WV |
Whitewater Voyages |
List of Abbreviations
|
m g/L |
micrograms per liter |
|
AF |
acre feet |
|
APE |
area of potential effect |
|
ATV |
all terrain vehicle |
|
BO2 |
blue oak savanna |
|
cfs |
cubic feet per second |
|
DO |
dissolved oxygen |
|
fps |
feet per second |
|
kVA |
kilovolt amperes |
|
MCL |
maximum contaminant level |
|
mg/L |
millagram per liter |
|
MPN/100mL |
most probable number per 100 milliliters |
|
msl |
mean sea level |
|
MTBE |
methyl tertiary butyl ether |
|
|
