11

Placer County Water AgencyPlacer County Water Agency

Middle Fork American River ProjectMiddle Fork American River Project

(FERC No. 2079)(FERC No. 2079)

Recreation Technical Working Group Recreation Technical Working Group MeetingMeeting

February 19, 2008

22

Proposed Proposed General VisitorGeneral Visitor

Survey ProtocolsSurvey Protocols

33

Survey Population EstimateSurvey Population Estimate

Survey population estimate is based on vehicle count Survey population estimate is based on vehicle count datadata

Vehicle count data adjusted for estimates of turnover Vehicle count data adjusted for estimates of turnover rates rates

Different turnover rates for different types of sitesDifferent turnover rates for different types of sites 1 = No or Low Turnover1 = No or Low Turnover

2 = Moderate Turnover2 = Moderate Turnover

4 = High Turnover4 = High Turnover

Estimated total survey population for holidays, Estimated total survey population for holidays, weekdays, and weekend days based upon adjusted weekdays, and weekend days based upon adjusted vehicle counts and 2.8 people per vehiclevehicle counts and 2.8 people per vehicle

44

Sampling DesignSampling Design

Based on the survey population, calculated required Based on the survey population, calculated required number of samples to achieve a statistically valid sample number of samples to achieve a statistically valid sample size (± 10%) for individual sitessize (± 10%) for individual sites

Determined number of survey days based on:Determined number of survey days based on: The number of required samples The number of required samples

Average number of daily users on holidays, weekdays, and Average number of daily users on holidays, weekdays, and weekend daysweekend days

Interception rate of 75% of potential usersInterception rate of 75% of potential users

Participation rate of 33%Participation rate of 33%

55

Proposed Sampling ApproachProposed Sampling Approach

Proposed survey locations are organized based on use Proposed survey locations are organized based on use levels:levels: Individual sites proposed for statistical surveys – use is high Individual sites proposed for statistical surveys – use is high

enough to support statistically valid survey effortenough to support statistically valid survey effort

Grouped sites proposed for statistical surveys – when individual Grouped sites proposed for statistical surveys – when individual sites are combined, use is high enough to support statistically sites are combined, use is high enough to support statistically valid survey effortvalid survey effort

Grouped sites proposed for qualitative surveys - when individual Grouped sites proposed for qualitative surveys - when individual sites are combined, use is high enough to warrant qualitative sites are combined, use is high enough to warrant qualitative survey effortsurvey effort

Sites not proposed for survey – surveys are not feasible or Sites not proposed for survey – surveys are not feasible or practical due to very low use levelspractical due to very low use levels

66

Proposed Sampling ApproachProposed Sampling Approach

Table 5Table 5

77

General ProtocolsGeneral Protocols

Statistical sites will be sampled on weekdays, weekend Statistical sites will be sampled on weekdays, weekend days and holidaysdays and holidays

Qualitative sites will be sampled on weekends and holidaysQualitative sites will be sampled on weekends and holidays

Sampling effort for Statistical sites is stratified by month Sampling effort for Statistical sites is stratified by month based on use distribution – June, July, Augustbased on use distribution – June, July, August For each month, the number of holiday, weekend-day, and For each month, the number of holiday, weekend-day, and

weekday sample-day are assignedweekday sample-day are assigned

Surveys will not be conducted on FridaySurveys will not be conducted on Friday

Each sample-day represents two sample-blocksEach sample-day represents two sample-blocks

Each sample-block represents a four hour sample effortEach sample-block represents a four hour sample effort

88

General ProtocolsGeneral Protocols Sampling-blocks dates for each month are Sampling-blocks dates for each month are randomlyrandomly

selected for each “day-type”selected for each “day-type” Staffing load balancing Staffing load balancing only occurs within “day-type” only occurs within “day-type”

categoriescategories ExampleExample: A weekday sampling block can be re-assigned to : A weekday sampling block can be re-assigned to

another weekday but not a weekend-dayanother weekday but not a weekend-day

Sampling block times are systematically selected based on Sampling block times are systematically selected based on survey location and facility typesurvey location and facility type

Surveyors will remain on site 4 hours (AM, PM, or evening) Surveyors will remain on site 4 hours (AM, PM, or evening) for each designated survey blockfor each designated survey block

Surveyors will survey all persons encountered during the Surveyors will survey all persons encountered during the sampling block, provided they are willing to participatesampling block, provided they are willing to participate

99

Site-Specific ProtocolsSite-Specific Protocols

CampgroundsCampgrounds Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or evening blocks (4-8) Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or evening blocks (4-8)

onlyonly

All Other Individual Sites All Other Individual Sites Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocksSurveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocks

(1-5)(1-5)

Grouped SitesGrouped Sites Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocksSurveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocks

(1-5)(1-5)

Surveyors will rove through groups of sites over a 4-hour periodSurveyors will rove through groups of sites over a 4-hour period

Starting points within each group of sites will be randomly selectedStarting points within each group of sites will be randomly selected

All persons encountered at any one site will be approached and asked to All persons encountered at any one site will be approached and asked to participate in the surveyparticipate in the survey

1010

Proposed Sampling ScheduleProposed Sampling Schedule

Random ScheduleRandom Schedule Systematic Schedule (staff load balanced)Systematic Schedule (staff load balanced)

1111

Focus Groups Focus Groups

and and

Flow StudiesFlow Studies

1212

Recreation StudiesRecreation Studies

REC 1 – Recreation Use Existing use data Vehicle counts Potential future use

REC 1 - Recreation FacilityAssessment

Facility condition UDP assessment

REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey Recreation opportunities and

experience Preferences Demand for opportunities Angler success Use patterns and conflicts User demographics Seasonality of use

REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities

Recreation opportunities Effect of WSE on recreation

opportunities Access, safety concerns and

user conflicts

REC 4 – Stream-based Recreation Opportunities

Existing recreation opportunities

Effect of flows on activity-specific recreation opportunities

Flow information dissemination Public safety

REC 5 – Recreation Visual Quality Assessment

VMS inventories

Existing visual conditions of Project facilities, features, and reservoirs

1313

REC 4 – Stream-based Recreation Opportunities

Flow information dissemination

Existing recreation opportunities

Public safety

Effect of flows onactivity-specificrecreation opportunities

1414

Effect of flows on activity-specificrecreation opportunities

REC 2 Visitor Survey Focus groups

Trail users at stream crossing

Angling Whitewater boating

Flow studies AQ 1 - Instream flow study Whitewater boating flow

study Associated stream crossing

and angling flow study

1515

Focus GroupsFocus Groups

Three Focus GroupsThree Focus Groups Trail Use/Stream Crossing Focus GroupTrail Use/Stream Crossing Focus Group

Angling Focus GroupAngling Focus Group

Whitewater Boating Focus GroupWhitewater Boating Focus Group

Utilize information to:Utilize information to: Expand information developed through existing sourcesExpand information developed through existing sources

Help define location of flow studiesHelp define location of flow studies

In consultation with TWG, develop a series of interview In consultation with TWG, develop a series of interview questions that are specific to each focus groupquestions that are specific to each focus group

TWG participants identify focus group participantsTWG participants identify focus group participants

Assemble focus groups and conduct focus group sessionsAssemble focus groups and conduct focus group sessions

1616

Trail Users at Stream Crossing Focus GroupTrail Users at Stream Crossing Focus Group

ParticipantsParticipants Representatives of Western States Trail FoundationRepresentatives of Western States Trail Foundation

Tevis Cup event organizersTevis Cup event organizers

Equestrian usersEquestrian users

Other trail usersOther trail users

PCWAPCWA

Resource Agency RepresentativesResource Agency Representatives

ObjectivesObjectives Develop information about:Develop information about:

Preferred stream crossing conditionsPreferred stream crossing conditions

Endurance event timingEndurance event timing

Coordination with PCWACoordination with PCWA

Safety concernsSafety concerns

1717

Angling Focus GroupAngling Focus Group

ParticipantsParticipants Local fishing guides and outfittersLocal fishing guides and outfitters Local anglersLocal anglers Business ownersBusiness owners PCWAPCWA Resource agency specialistsResource agency specialists Other knowledgeable personsOther knowledgeable persons

ObjectivesObjectives Develop information about:Develop information about:

Popular fishing spotsPopular fishing spots Fishing accessFishing access Safety concernsSafety concerns Flow-related issuesFlow-related issues

Develop list of comparable regional fishing streamsDevelop list of comparable regional fishing streams

1818

Whitewater Boating Focus GroupWhitewater Boating Focus Group

ParticipantsParticipants PCWAPCWA Commercial outfitters and guidesCommercial outfitters and guides Instructional teachersInstructional teachers Local and regional boatersLocal and regional boaters Resource agency specialists Resource agency specialists Other knowledgeable persons Other knowledgeable persons

ObjectivesObjectives Develop information about:Develop information about:

Specific boating runsSpecific boating runs Existing and potential usesExisting and potential uses Access conditions or constraintsAccess conditions or constraints Boatable flow rangesBoatable flow ranges Types of watercraft useTypes of watercraft use TimingTiming

1919

Focus Group Interview ImplementationFocus Group Interview Implementation

Timing Timing February-March 2008: Identify Focus Group participants for February-March 2008: Identify Focus Group participants for

each Focus Groupeach Focus Group

February-March 2008: Develop Focus Group interview February-March 2008: Develop Focus Group interview questionsquestions

April-May 2008: Conduct Focus Group interviewsApril-May 2008: Conduct Focus Group interviews

2020

Effect of flows on activity-specificrecreation opportunities

REC 2 Visitor Survey Focus groups

Trail users at stream crossing

Angling Whitewater boating

Flow studies AQ 1 - Instream flow study Whitewater boating flow

study Associated stream crossing

and angling flow study

2121

Recreation Flow StudiesRecreation Flow Studies

Flow studies focus on three types of users:Flow studies focus on three types of users: Stream-crossing usersStream-crossing users

AnglersAnglers

Whitewater boatersWhitewater boaters

2222

Recreation Flow Studies ObjectivesRecreation Flow Studies Objectives Assess Assess stream crossingstream crossing conditions over a range of flows at conditions over a range of flows at

specific (preferred locations) in the peaking reachspecific (preferred locations) in the peaking reach Assess Assess fishing conditionsfishing conditions over a range of flows at specific over a range of flows at specific

(preferred locations):(preferred locations): Peaking reachPeaking reach Rubicon River below Ellicotts BridgeRubicon River below Ellicotts Bridge

Estimate range of flows that support anglingEstimate range of flows that support angling Characterize angling fishabilityCharacterize angling fishability

Refine Refine boatable flow rangesboatable flow ranges on following runs: on following runs: Indian Bar Rafting Access to Ruck-a-ChuckyIndian Bar Rafting Access to Ruck-a-Chucky Ruck-a-Chucky to Mammoth BarRuck-a-Chucky to Mammoth Bar Mammoth Bar to ConfluenceMammoth Bar to Confluence Confluence to Oregon BarConfluence to Oregon Bar

Identify boatable flow ranges for a variety of watercraft, representing a range Identify boatable flow ranges for a variety of watercraft, representing a range of skills, watercraft and interestsof skills, watercraft and interests

Maximum flow to be evaluated is 1,000 cfsMaximum flow to be evaluated is 1,000 cfs

2323

Flow Study ImplementationFlow Study Implementation

Timing Timing March - April 2008: Develop Flow Study survey instruments for March - April 2008: Develop Flow Study survey instruments for

each assessmenteach assessment

March – April 2008: Evaluate water-year data to refine windows March – April 2008: Evaluate water-year data to refine windows for Flow Study Implementationfor Flow Study Implementation

April - May 2008: Select Flow Study team members for each April - May 2008: Select Flow Study team members for each assessmentassessment

June 2008: Orientation of study team membersJune 2008: Orientation of study team members

July – October 2008: Implement Studies in coordination with July – October 2008: Implement Studies in coordination with whitewater flow studies and instream flow studies conducted as whitewater flow studies and instream flow studies conducted as part of AQ 1 TSPpart of AQ 1 TSP

2424

Proposed Study Flows