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: Plan.general@parks.ca.gov

Mail: Bureau of Reclamation

c/o Bonnie Van Pelt

7794 Folsom Dam Road,

Folsom, CA 95630

Thank you for participating!

G) m

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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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