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PARTICIPATION GUIDE
Auburn State Recreation Area/
Auburn Project Lands (ASRA/APL)
California State Parks & the Bureau of Reclamation have released the ASRA
Preliminary General Plan/ APL Draft Resource Management Plan along with
the Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental I·mpact Statement
Open House August I 5, 2019
Welcome to the Auburn SRA/Auburn Project Lands Open House. We invite you to leave your
comments on the Preliminary General Plan/Resource Management Plan and Draft EIR/EIS for the future
management of this 30,000-acre state park unit and the other Auburn Project Lands.
The planning team has developed a proposed action with many proposals for changes in resource
management and recreation opportunities. You are invited to visit any of the public input stations that
interest you in any order; we will be available to answer your questions until 8 p.m. tonight. You can
provide your comments regarding specific management zones on the attached form.
Management Zones
The plan divides the ASRA/APL into I I different management zones. It includes unique goals,
guidelines, and facility proposals for each management zone. Use the map on the next page to identify
the management zones that interest you.
Providing Input
A separate comment form is available
tonight for your convenience. If you are
making comments tonight, please place
the form in the comment box. If you
would like more time, please provide
comments online at:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/PlanASRA, or
by mail by September 17, 2019.
You do not need to use the comment
form to make comments on the
GP/RMP or DEIR/DEIS.
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Bureau of Reclamation
c/o Bonnie Van Pelt
7794 Folsom Dam Road,
Folsom, CA 95630
Thank you for participating!
G) m
1
Open House Stations
9. COMMENT
BAR ZONES
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Management Zones
PARTICIPATION GUIDE
Unit-wide Topics
The proposed action anticipates and accommodates increases in regional recreation demand by
improving existing facilities, and providing additional facilities and improved access. It would also allow
for increased resource protection and management. The Management Zone maps and descriptions
provide more details and potential locations. Major initiatives would:
• Focus new recreation development primarily in existing medium- or high-intensity recreation use
areas, or previously-disturbed areas.
o Provide additional day use facilities such as picnic sites and toilets, and increase parking
capacity up to 25 percent in suitable areas in the Confluence Knickerbocker, Auburn
Interface, Foresthill Divide, Lower Middle Fork, Cherokee Bar/Ruck-a-Chucky, Upper
North Fork, and Mineral Bar Management Zones, and
o Increase camping capacity by up to 245 individual campsites and alternative camping facilities
and 5 group sites while incorporating wildfire prevention strategies.
o Increase access to the North and Middle Forks of the American River, improve several
roads and trails to the river for boating, fishing, picnicking and water play.
o Prepare a comprehensive Road and Trail Management Plan to address trail use,
improvements and maintenance, and guide system improvements. Information about this
process is available at: www.parks.ca.gov/PLANASRA
• Selectively inventory, survey, evaluate, and monitor natural and cultural resources; and restore
sensitive natural resource values. Prioritize the most significant resources and areas of greatest
threats, including newly developed areas. Use natural resource management strategies, such as
protecting wildlife/habitat corridors and habitat elevation gradients, to maintain the capacity of
natural resources to adapt and respond to climate change. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will
complete and implement a Fire Management Plan under a separate planning process. State Parks
will prepare and implement a separate Road and Trail Management Plan.
• Provide interpretation and education messages, programs, materials, features and facilities to
inform the public of recreation opportunities, and promote awareness of natural and cultural
resources.
Knickerbocker Management Zone
The Knickerbocker Management Zone comprises about 3,124 acres of relatively flat land in the
southeastern portion of the park, near the town of Cool. The primary access point is the Cool Staging
Area, adjacent to the town of Cool, which includes trailheads, trails, restrooms, parking, picnic sites,
and numerous trails.
• Within the Knickerbocker Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o a new trail connection from the Olmstead Loop to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
• Within the Cool Staging Area Activity Node, the proposed action would qllow or facilitate:
o additional day use facilities, such as picnic tables, restrooms, and interpretive displays; and
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PARTICIPATION GUIDE
o up to an additional 50 parking spaces, 20 picnic sites, and IO shade ramadas.
• Within the Knickerbocker Road Corridor Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or
facilitate:
o up to 50 campsites and alternative camping options such as cabins or yurts, and 3 group
camps;
o visitors to drive to the river from Cool along the Knickerbocker Road; and
o a small maintenance facility of up to 1/4 acre.
Auburn Interface Management Zone The Auburn Interface Management Zone comprises about 1,610 acres of land on both sides of the
North Fork of the American River downstream of the confluence with the Middle Fork. The
management zone is adjacent to the southern portion of the City of Auburn; and it includes the
Auburn Dam site, Rocky Point, and the China Bar, Oregon Bar, and Birdsall areas. Existing facilities
include trailheads, trails, parking areas, restrooms, and river access points.
• Within the Auburn Interface Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate: o a trail bridge across the North Fork of the American River;
o improved boat launching and landing sites with up to 50 additional parking spaces;
o boater shuttle services between the Confluence and China Bar;
o additional technical mountain bike trails; and
o expanded day-use facilities on the west side of the river including picnic sites, parking, restrooms, areas for special events, and recreation equipment rentals.
• Within the Birdsall, China and Oregon Bar Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or
facilitate: o additional trailhead and parking facilities.
• Within the Rocky Point/Salt Creek Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o camping opportunities including up to 50 campsites and alternative camping options, such as
cabins or yurts on the east side of the river; and
o vehicle access to the river with up to I 00 parking spaces and associated facilities.
Lake Clementine Management Zone
The Lake Clementine Management Zone comprises about 1,363 acres, including Lake Clementine and
surrounding land. The management zone includes the North Fork Dam, Lake Clementine Marina, a
boat-in campground, and the popular Upper Lake Clementine day use area. Existing facilities include
trails, trailheads, parking, boat launch, marina, campsites and lake access points.
• Within the Lake Clementine Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o new trail connections along Lake Clementine and upriver to Ponderosa Way; and
o motorized and non-motorized watercraft rentals, classes, trips, and storage facilities.
• Within the Upper Lake Beach Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o improvement of the access road to upper Lake Clementine; and
o restroom at upper Lake Clementine beach.
• At the marina and boat ramp, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o renovation of existing marina facilities without increasing the number of slips.
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PARTICIPATION GUIDE
Foresthill Divide Management Zone The Foresthill Divide Management Zone comprises about 2,927 acres of mostly upland areas in the
center of the unit on both sides of Foresthill Road. The management zone includes trails, trailheads,
parking and restrooms.
• Within the Road Corridor Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o improved trailheads and trail access facilities;
o adding restrooms, up to I 00 parking spaces, 20 picnic sites; and
o developing up to 20 campsites.
Upper North Fork Management Zone
The Upper Middle Fork Management Zone comprises about 7,358 acres of land along both sides of the
North Fork of the American River between Lake Clementine and Mineral Bar. The management zone
includes the Ponderosa and Yankee Jims day use areas, as well as popular paddle stops along the river.
Existing facilities include trails, trailheads, parking, restrooms, and river access points.
• Within the Upper North Fork Management Zone, the proposed alternative would allow or
facilitate:
o improving Windy Point Trail and evaluate possible connections to Indian Creek Trail; and
o improving parking and trailhead access on Iowa Hill Road.
• Within the Shirttail Canyon/Yankee Jims Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or
facilitate:
o adding up to 20 parking spaces, IO picnic sites, and restrooms; and
o coordination with Placer County to improve road conditions and river crossings on Yankee
Jims Road.
• Within the Ponderosa Crossing Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o adding up to 20 parking spaces, IO picnic sites, and restrooms.
Mineral Bar Management Zone
The Mineral Bar Management Zone comprises about 217 acres of land along both sides of the North
Fork of the American River at the northern edge of ASRA/APL. The management zone includes the
Mineral Bar campground and river access points. Existing facilities include trails, trailheads, campsites,
restrooms, and parking.
• Within the Mineral Bar Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o expanding the Mineral Bar Campground to add up to 20 campsites; and
o improved river access/launch points and up to 20 additional parking spaces, IO picnic sites,
and restrooms.
Confluence Management Zone
The Confluence Management Zone comprises about 2, 199 acres of land surrounding the confluence of
the North and Middle Forks of the American River. The management zone is adjacent to the northern
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PARTICIPATION GUIDE
portion of the City of Auburn. It includes the park office, the Highway 49 and Foresthill bridges, the
Mountain Quarries Mine and Cool Cave climbing area, and the popular Confluence area. Existing
facilities include trailheads, trails, parking, picnic sites, restrooms, river access points and visitor contact
stations.
• Within the Confluence Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o improved river access and portage trails;
o additional areas for rock climbing; and
o transit or shuttle service.
• Within the Highway 49 Access Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o formalized and improved parking and wayfinding; and
o additional trailheads and restrooms.
• Within the Cool Cave Quarry and Mt. Quarries Mine Activity Nodes, the proposed action would
allow or facilitate:
o guided tours of the Mountain Quarries Mine;
o opening additional rock climbing areas; and
o restrooms and interpretive information near the existing rock climbing area.
• Within the Confluence View Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o a small overlook and interpretive facility near the Foresthill Bridge.
Mammoth Bar Management Zone
The Mammoth Bar Management Zone comprises about I, 170 acres of land along the north side of the
Middle Fork of the American River. The management zone includes all OHV tracks and trails. Existing
facilities include parking areas, trailheads, restrooms, river access and picnic sites.
• Within the Mammoth Bar Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o additional technical downhill mountain biking trails and other active recreation facilities; and
o allow OHV use up to six days a week.
• Within the Castle Rock Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o investigation of the potential to relocate the OHV track to an upland location near Castle
Rock, which would include parking, restrooms, and picnic sites.
• Within the Staging Area Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o relocation of the OHV track farther from the river if it is substantially damaged by flooding;
and
o add camping and day use facilities near the river if the OHV track is relocated.
Upper Middle Fork Management Zone
The Upper Middle Fork Management Zone comprises about 3,919 acres of land along both sides of the
Middle Fork of the American River at the eastern edge of the park. The management zone includes
trails, trailheads, restrooms and popular paddle stops along the river.
• Within the Upper Middle Fork Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
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PARTICIPATION GUIDE
o a management agreement with the US Forest Service for the operation and management of
whitewater at Oxbow/Indian Bar put-in and through USFS lands.
Lower Middle Fork Management Zone
The Lower Middle Fork Management Zone comprises about 3,066 acres of land along both sides of the
Middle Fork of the American River. The management zone includes trails, trailheads, parking and
popular paddle stops along the river.
• Within the Lower Middle Fork Management Zone; the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o improved trail access to the river;
o improving trailheads including parking areas, trash receptacles and signs; and
o interpretive signs and materials to describe the area's mining history.
Cherokee Bar/Ruck-a-Chucky Management Zone
The Cherokee Bar/Ruck-a-Chucky Management Zone comprises about 3,657 acres of land along both
sides of the Middle Fork of the American River. The management zone includes the Ruck-a-Chucky
campground and boat landings, the Cherokee Bar day use area, with trails, trailheads, parking, and river
access points.
• Within the Cherokee Bar/Ruck-a-Chucky Management Zone, the proposed action would allow or
facilitate:
o improving McKeon-Ponderosa Road and opening it to public vehicles for river access;
o improvements to the existing Drivers Flat Road;
o coordinating with El Dorado County to improve Sliger Mine Road to Cherokee Bar; and
• Within the Greenwood/Ruck-a-Chucky Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or
facilitate:
o up to IO additional campsites; and
o a trail bridge across the Middle Fork of the American River near Ruck-a-Chucky and
Cherokee Bar.
• Within the Cherokee Bar Activity Node, the proposed action would allow or facilitate:
o a new campground at Cherokee Bar with up to 20 campsites; and
o up to 40 parking spaces, IO picnic sites, and restrooms.
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