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Fish Creek Reservoir Expansion EIS ::'lli~;:;;'~{;:;<<.j;;..~-r&k"W.;;..~;:;::S~~.3;&...,*~::<:;:;:::;:&~~m;:;:;:::>>:;;::;.;,,1'j.:.:<<:=.:..<<:i:>>;:::::~;:;m:>>:~~:::;:.;:;;;~;;::.::Zffi':;:;::~:0r~-%..m;~<<-':~<<.~;:';\l::.'>;-~"'N'~~,~:::fflI:'$$:~;:;.x:::'".&-......m~~~ Of note with regard to loss of mixed conifer vegetation, is the associated loss of timber resources. As indicated in Section 3.7, tree density was estimated at about 450 stems per acre. However, because of the small acreage (20:1: acres) and marginal sawtimber involved, the effect on timber resources is less marked. These resources may be salvaged prior to construction. Salvage would consist of some potential sawtimber and polestock, but primarily firewood. Owing to the mixed heights and species involved (for which data were not collected), an accurate estimate of sawtimber, poles, or cordwood cannot be made. 4.7.2.3 Alternetive C - Smeller Reservoir Expension Alternative C would involve a reduced increase in capacity over that of Alternative B. A total of approximately 29.5 acres of vegetation would be affected as opposed to the 51.4 acres under Alternative B. Because of relatively equal distribution around the current reservoir, the proportionate decrease would be nearly equal among the four affected vegetation types. Although the amount of overall disturbance would be less with Alternative C, the proportion of Borrow Area A-I that could be inundated would be reduced from three-quarters to about one-half. Therefore, the net effect of A1cernative C would only be a reduction of approximately 20 acres of vegetation disturbance. 4.7.2.4 Borrow Aree Options Given the differences regarding inundation of Borrow Area A-I depending on reservoir alternative, the potential disturbance to remaining vegetation types of borrow areas would become additive depending on need for rip-rap or other fill material. Therefore, as much as 12.3 acres of wetlands could be disturbed in the borrow areas. In a similar manner, 32.9 acres of upland meadow, 30.2 acres of mixed conifer, and 6.1 acres of previously disturbed ground could be disturbed as need for particular fill material is realized. A commitment has been made by the project Applicant to retopsoil and reseed with native grasses all disturbed borrow areas. Because no detail has been provided to allow an evaluation of the feasibility of this commitment and potential for success, twO possible outcomes may resu1c. First, the reclamation attempt may be successful and in such a. situation, long-term effects of borrow removal would be limited to loss of existing timber resources. Conversely, the reclamation attempt could fail resu1cing in long-term loss of vegetation communities disturbed. In this latter circumstance, impacts would go beyond the long-term loss of vegetation resources and include degraded visual resources. 4.7.2.5 Cempground Site Relocetion Options Campground Relocation Site 1 would affect 6.9 acres of vegetation about equally split between upland meadow and mixed conifer. Campground Relocation Site 2 would affect 1.6 fewer acres than Site 1, but the same two communities would be affected, upland meadow and mixed conifer. However, Site 2 would affect more mixed conifer vegetation than the proposed site, 4.8 acres versus 3.6 acres. 4.7.2.8 Roed Corridor Options As indicated, three road corridor options have been identified for this project, and road construction would result in the disturbance of various acreages of vegetation communities, depending upon the road corridor option. As indicated in Table 4-5, Road Corridor Option 1 affects the least acreage ~;;:<<.1?'&~~;:;:;::.;:.~~,W'::":::;:m:<'::~:;W~~;:;.;:..."<<'?'"<<&'~?;::l;:-''';:;ffi'~.0:-.~..$i~''!3.m~:;''%~.0:-~~%::;':'W'*'::::X:.:{;:;:~.;:;;:~;:<.;.:::::z:::w.;;~-:;:;:;':::m"*-:;x::~.:m:~:::J::~'~: Page 4-24 September 199J