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12.4.2024 Board Correspondence - FW_ Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
From:Clerk of the Board To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee, Lewis; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Loeser, Kamie Cc:Nuzum, Danielle Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. Date:Monday, December 9, 2024 4:51:57 PM Please see Board Correspondence - -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 11:36 AM Subject: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. .ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying.. On 12/4/2024, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.: Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company No Organization Found (as Agent) Docket(s): P-619-000 Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Filing Type: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits 2024 Recreation Resources Monitoring Report of the Recreation Management Plan re the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project under P-619. To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist? accession_num=20241204-5136__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!D1Ti0XWfjn95X8buDOdh51- RadJyOsHcHhQqYwoE1119y1aRP1lgnImFRa1wmjMWfjmaT2lc-howdrN1oe75ufoBKGLLe1anHkB6$ To modify your subscriptions, click here: RadJyOsHcHhQqYwoE1119y1aRP1lgnImFRa1wmjMWfjmaT2lc-howdrN1oe75ufoBKGLLe0erolRG$ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not respond to this email. Online help is available here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ferc.gov/efiling-help.asp__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!D1Ti0XWfjn95X8buDOdh51- RadJyOsHcHhQqYwoE1119y1aRP1lgnImFRa1wmjMWfjmaT2lc-howdrN1oe75ufoBKGLLe8M0OV6Q$ or for phone support, call 866-208-3676. Power Generation 300 Lakeside Drive Oakland, CA 94612 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28209 Oakland, CA 94604 December 4, 2024 Via Electronic Submittal (E-file & Email) Debbie-Anne Reese, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N. E. Washington, D.C. 20426 Rick Hopson Acting Forest Supervisor United States Department of Agriculture Plumas National Forest 159 Lawrence Street Quincy, CA 95971-6025 richard.hopson@usda.gov RE: Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 619-CA 2024 Report of Recreation Resources Dear Secretary Reese and Rick Hopson: This letter presents Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) 2024 Report on Recreation Resources Monitoring, a requirement of the Recreation Management Plan (Plan) for the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project (Project), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 619. License Article 401(a) requires PG&E to implement the Plan as required by U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) Condition No. 55 and California State Water Resources Control Board Condition 21. The Plan requires PG&E to conduct annual monitoring beginning in the first full year after license issuance (2023) and conduct periodic (i.e., on a cycle of once every 6 or 12 years) monitoring beginning in License Year 2 (2024). To comply with these requirements PG&E designed a monitoring program to (1) provide annual Project campground occupancy data to the Forest Service and (2) report recreation monitoring results every 6 years in a Report on Recreation Resources. Annual monitoring data collection (campground occupancy only) began in 2023. Data collection for the first 12-year monitoring cycle was conducted in 2024 to report information about Project recreation in terms of campground and day-use area occupancy, visitor survey responses, and watercraft use on Bucks Lake. The 2024 Report of Recreation Resources is included as (Enclosure 1). If you have questions or comments regarding this matter, please contact Jamie Visinoni, senior license coordinator for PG&E, at (530) 215-6676. Sincerely, Jamie Visinoni Senior Hydro License Coordinator Enclosure: 1. 2024 Report of Recreation Resources, dated November 2024 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 ENCLOSURE 1 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 619 Report on Recreation Resources Monitoring 2024 November 2024 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY AND THE CITY OF SANTA CLARA Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 619 Report on Recreation Resources Monitoring 2024 November 2024 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page i Table of Contents Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 619 Report on Recreation Resources, Monitoring 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background............................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................. 1-3 1.3 Contents of the Report on Recreation Resources .................................................... 1-3 2.0 MONITORING METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 2-1 2.1 Overview .................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Monitoring Implementation ..................................................................................... 2-2 2.3 Campground Occupancy .......................................................................................... 2-2 2.4 Day Use Area Occupancy ........................................................................................ 2-3 2.5 Sandy Point Boat Launch Use ................................................................................. 2-4 2.6 Social Monitoring ..................................................................................................... 2-4 2.7 Bucks Lake Water Surface Monitoring ................................................................... 2-6 3.0 MONITORING RESULTS ........................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Campground Occupancy .......................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 2023 Campground Occupancy ................................................................. 3-1 3.1.2 2024 Campground Occupancy ................................................................. 3-3 3.1.3 Campground Reservation Data ................................................................ 3-5 3.2 2024 Day Use Area Occupancy ............................................................................... 3-6 3.3 2024 Sandy Point Boat Launch Use ........................................................................ 3-8 3.4 2024 Social Monitoring ......................................................................................... 3-12 3.4.1 Visitor Profile......................................................................................... 3-14 3.4.2 Recreation Activity Participation ........................................................... 3-15 3.4.3 Reservoir Water Surface and Use .......................................................... 3-19 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Table of Contents Page ii November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.4.4 Project Recreation Facilities .................................................................. 3-21 3.4.5 Visitor Responses to Open-ended Question .......................................... 3-26 3.5 Watercraft Use On Bucks Lake, 2024 ................................................................... 3-27 4.0 SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Project Campgrounds and Day Use Area Occupancy ............................................ 4-1 4.2 Sandy Point Boat Launch Use ................................................................................. 4-1 4.3 Visitor Survey Responses ........................................................................................ 4-1 4.4 Watercraft Use on Bucks Lake ................................................................................ 4-1 5.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 5-1 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Attachment A. Recreation Monitoring Methodology at Project Recreation Facilities, October 2023 Attachment B. Consultation with Plumas National Forest Attachment C. Coded Responses to Open-Ended Survey Question Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page iii Table of Contents Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara LIST OF TABLES Table 2.6-1. Target number of visitor surveys adjusted to delete planned surveys (1) in May and (2) at Hutchins Group Campground and Three Lakes. .................. 2-5 Table 3.1-1. Daily campground occupancy, 2023.a .............................................................. 3-2 Table 3.1-2. Daily campground occupancy, 2024.a .............................................................. 3-4 Table 3.1-3. Number of campsites reserved and occupied by walk-in campers at Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake campgrounds in 2023 and 2024. ............. 3-5 Table 3.1-4. Daily campground occupancy for Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake in 2023 and 2024 as reported in PG&E’s reservation database. ........................... 3-6 Table 3.2-1. Daily day use area occupancy, 2024.a ............................................................... 3-7 Table 3-3-1. Daily average number of watercraft launched and retrieved at Sandy Point Boat Launch............................................................................................. 3-9 Table 3.4-1. Target and actual number of visitor surveys collected at Project recreation facilities.a ........................................................................................ 3-13 Table 3.4-2. Survey respondents’ place of residence. ......................................................... 3-14 Table 3.4-3. Party size by facility........................................................................................ 3-14 Table 3.4-4. Response frequencies to survey questions about Project water surface and use. ........................................................................................................... 3-19 Table 3.4-5. Response frequencies for survey questions about Project recreation facilities. .......................................................................................................... 3-21 Table 3.4-6. Number of coded responses to the open-ended question: “Is there any additional information you would like to provide about the Bucks Creek Project or the general area? ............................................................................. 3-26 Table 3.5-1. Bucks Lake watercraft use observations, 2024. .............................................. 3-28 Table 3.5-2. Bucks Lake water surface elevation and corresponding water surface area on survey dates. ....................................................................................... 3-30 Table 3.5-3. Average monthly Bucks Lake elevation for water year types. ....................... 3-30 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Table of Contents Page iv November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1-1. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project recreation facilities monitored in 2024................................................................................................................... 1-2 Figure 2.7-1. Bucks Lake water surface zones for monitoring watercraft. ............................ 2-6 Figure 3.3-1. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the peak season on non-holiday weekends at Sandy Point Boat Launch.................................. 3-10 Figure 3.3-2. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the peak season on weekdays at Sandy Point Boat Launch. ......................................... 3-10 Figure 3.3-3. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the non-peak season on weekends at Sandy Point Boat Launch. ......................................... 3-11 Figure 3.3-4. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the non-peak season on weekdays at Sandy Point Boat Launch. ......................................... 3-11 Figure 3.3-5. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the peak season on holiday weekends at Sandy Point Boat Launch. ............................ 3-12 Figure 3.4-4. All recreation activities identified by visitors at Bucks Lake. ........................ 3-16 Figure 3.4-5. Visitors’ primary activity participation at Bucks Lake. .................................. 3-16 Figure 3.4-6. All recreation activities identified by visitors at Lower Bucks Lake. ............. 3-17 Figure 3.4-7. Visitors’ primary activity participation at Lower Bucks Lake. ...................... 3-17 Figure 3.4-8. All recreation activities identified by visitors at Grizzly Forebay. ................. 3-18 Figure 3.4-9. Visitors’ primary activity participation at Grizzly Forebay. ........................... 3-18 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page v Acronyms and Abbreviations Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND SPECIAL TERMS CSC City of Santa Clara FERC Federal Energy Regulation Commission Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service hp horsepower License Year A full calendar year starting after license issuance (e.g., License Year 1 is the first full calendar year after license issuance, or 2023) Licensees Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara, joint Licensees Non-peak season May 15 through Friday of Memorial Day weekend and Tuesday after Labor Day to September 30. Peak season Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company Plan Recreation Management Plan for the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Project Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 RV recreational vehicle Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Acronyms and Abbreviations Page vi November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 1-1 Section 1.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 1.0 Introduction Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the City of Santa Clara (collectively referred to as the Licensees) are filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this Report on Recreation Resources, Monitoring 2024, a requirement of the Recreation Management Plan (Plan) for the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project (Project), FERC Project No. 619 (PG&E and City of Santa Clara [CSC], 2019). The Licensees are the owners of the Project—PG&E operates the Project, and the Licensees are jointly responsible for implementing the Plan. 1.1 Background The Project is located on Bucks, Grizzly, and Milk Ranch creeks, which are tributaries to the North Fork Feather River (Figure 1.1-1). The Project is located entirely within Plumas County, California, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, approximately 17 miles southwest of the community of Quincy. The Project consists of two developments that contain four dams, four reservoirs, and two powerhouses, and associated facilities. Bucks Lake has most of the developed recreation facilities—three day use areas and 97 campsites—and receives the most Project visitation and boating use. Grizzly Forebay and Lower Bucks Lake each have one day use area and seven campsites; by county ordinance boats exceeding 15 horsepower (hp) are not allowed to operate on Lower Bucks Lake, and boats exceeding 10 hp are not allowed to operate on Grizzly Forebay. Three Lakes is very remote and the access road requires using a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle. Three Lakes has no developed day or overnight recreation facilities and receives low levels of dispersed day and overnight use. License Article 401(a) requires the Licensees to implement the Plan, which is also required by U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) Condition No. 55 and California State Water Resources Control Board Condition No. 21. The Plan requires the Licensees to conduct annual monitoring beginning in the first full year after license issuance (2023) and conduct periodic (i.e., on a cycle of once every 6 or 12 years) monitoring beginning in License Year 2 (2024). To comply with these requirements, the Licensees designed a monitoring program to (1) provide annual Project campground occupancy data to the Forest Service and (2) report recreation monitoring results every 6 years in a Report on Recreation Resources. Annual monitoring data collection— campground occupancy only—began in 2023. Data collection for the first 12-year monitoring cycle was conducted in 2024 to report information about Project recreation in terms of campground and day use area occupancy, visitor survey responses, and watercraft use on Bucks Lake. The Licensees conducted relicensing studies in 2015 to collect information about Project recreation resources. For reference, the following technical memoranda filed with the Final License Application (PG&E and CSC 2016) contain the 2015 study results that relate to Project facility occupancy, visitor preferences and satisfaction, and Bucks Lake shoreline and water surface use: •Technical Memorandum 28, Reservoir Shoreline and Water Surface Use Assessment •Technical Memorandum 30, Recreation Visitor Use •Technical Memorandum 31, Recreation Questionnaires Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Management Plan Section 1.0 Page 1-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 1.1-1. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project recreation facilities monitored in 2024. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 1-3 Section 1.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 1.2 Objectives The objective of this report is to comply with the Project license that requires the Licensees to report recreation monitoring results for the following: • Project campground 1 occupancy for 2023 and 2024; • Parking area and picnic site occupancy for 2024 at Project day use areas; • Launches and retrievals at Sandy Point Boat Launch; • Visitor survey responses collected at Project recreation facilities;2 and • Watercraft use data for Bucks Lake. 1.3 Contents of the Report on Recreation Resources This report includes the following sections: • Section 1.0, Introduction, provides introductory information, including background and monitoring objectives. • Section 2.0, Monitoring Methodology, describes monitoring methods for recreation resources, and implementation. • Section 3.0, Monitoring Results, summarizes 2024 monitoring results for campground occupancy (2023 and 2024), day use area occupancy, Sandy Point Boat Launch use, visitor survey responses, and watercraft use on Bucks Lake. • Section 4.0, Summary, presents an overview of the findings of the recreation monitoring. • Section 5.0, References, provides the references used to prepare this report. In addition, this report includes the following attachments: • Attachment A, Recreation Monitoring Methodology at Project Recreation Facilities, October 2023 • Attachment B, Consultation with Plumas National Forest • Attachment C, Coded Responses to Open-Ended Survey Question 1 The Plan specifies monitoring at Hutchins Group Campground; however, this facility was closed to public use in 2023 and 2024 because of the presence of slash, burn piles, and hazard tree debris associated with the Dixie Fire. 2 The Plan specifies monitoring at Three Lakes. Monitoring was not conducted in 2024 because the access road was closed to public access during the recreation season to remove hazard trees. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 1.0 Page 1-4 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 2-1 Section 2.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 2.0 Monitoring Methodology 2.1 Overview In 2023, the Licensees began (1) collecting Project campground occupancy data and (2) planning for 2024 monitoring data collection (i.e., visitor surveys, day use occupancy, watercraft use on Bucks Lake), as required in the Plan. The 2023 campground occupancy included in this report is a subset of the comprehensive recreation monitoring required every 6 and 12 years by the Plan. Campground occupancy in 2023 is included in the report; however, most of the information presented in this report relates to monitoring that the Licensees conducted in 2024. In 2023, the Licensees prepared a detailed monitoring methodology for the 2024 recreation season that specified monitoring sites, sampling strategies, and period of data collection (Appendix A). The methodology described the visitor survey content, stratified sampling approach and spatial delineation of Bucks Lake water surface used for data collection. The Licensees provided the monitoring methodology to the Plumas National Forest for review and comment on October 19, 2023. On November 17, 2023, the Plumas National Forest provided minor clarifying comments that the Licensees incorporated into the monitoring methodology (Appendix B). The Licensees developed a field schedule for the monitoring period, May through September 2024, and conducted field staff training in May 2024. Although the Licensees were prepared to begin monitoring before Memorial Day, late-melting snow delayed opening the developed recreation facilities to the public until June 1, which was the weekend after Memorial Day. For the purpose of data collection and reporting, recreation use occurring from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend is considered peak season use, while recreation use occurring from May 15 through Friday of Memorial Day weekend and Tuesday after Labor Day through September 30 is considered non-peak season use. The definitions of weekdays and weekends are based on the general visitor use pattern, whereby most overnight visitors arrive on Friday, stay overnight on Saturday, and leave on Sunday. Accordingly, the Licensees sorted the daily campground occupancy data into weekends (Friday and Saturday observation data) and weekdays (Sunday through Thursday observation data). Unlike daily campground occupancy data, the Licensees collected visitor survey responses and day use area observations based on a stratified sample of weekdays and weekends. Weekday visitor surveys and observations were collected on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, and weekend data were collected on Saturdays. This approach provided distinct weekday and weekend datasets for the visitor survey responses and day use area observations by avoiding data collection on Fridays and Sundays. Independence Day and Labor Day weekends were the two holidays monitored in 2024. Because Independence Day was on a Thursday, the Licensees monitored recreation use on the following Saturday, July 6, to meet the holiday weekend monitoring requirement. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 2.0 Page 2-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 2.2 Monitoring Implementation The Licensees monitored Project recreation as described in the Plan, which requires collecting monitoring data from May 15 through September 30 when the recreation facilities are accessible by vehicle, open for public use, and under active operation and maintenance for the recreation season. In 2024, late-melting snow delayed opening the recreation facilities to the public until after Memorial Day weekend, so the Licensees were not required to collect data in May. Also, the Licensees did not monitor recreation use at Hutchins Group Campground (located near Bucks Lake) because it was closed in 2023 and 2024 for cleanup after the Dixie Fire. Many large piles of timber slash and hazard trees had yet to be removed from the campground, creating a public safety concern and being the main reason for keeping the facility closed to public use. In addition, the access road to Three Lakes was closed to public use for hazard tree removal during the recreation season so this location did not require monitoring in 2024. The Licensees collected occupancy data and conducted visitor surveys on 17 days at five Project campgrounds and six Project day use areas. Although monitoring in May was not required, the Licensees scheduled an additional weekend survey date in June in an effort to capture early season use information. Weekday data collection in July was scheduled for July 30 and 31, and while the Licensees collected data on July 30, data collection on July 31 was cancelled due to hazardous air quality related to the Park Fire near Chico, California. To make up for the second weekday missed in July, the Licensees scheduled an additional weekday of data collection in August. The Licensees monitored watercraft use on Bucks Lake on one day in each month of June, July, and August. In addition to the seasonal and logistical conditions that required adjusting data collection, some minor deviations from the monitoring methodology occurred, as described in Section 3.0. 2.3 Campground Occupancy The Licensees collected occupancy data at Project campgrounds at Bucks Lake, Lower Bucks Lake, and Grizzly Forebay: • Bucks Lake campgrounds—Haskins Valley, Mill Creek, Sundew campgrounds • Lower Bucks Lake Campground • Grizzly Forebay Campground The Licensees collected daily occupancy data from July 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023, and from June 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. During these periods, campground hosts visually inspected all campsites at Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake every evening when the facility was open for public use. When Grizzly Forebay campground is open for public use during the recreation season, the Plan specifies the Licensees use an 18-day sample of weekdays, weekends, and holiday weekends to estimate occupancy during the monitoring period: • Two weekdays (Monday through Thursday) in June, July, and August; • Two non-holiday Saturdays in June, July, and August; Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 2-3 Section 2.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara • One non-holiday weekday (Monday through Thursday) in May and September; • One non-holiday Saturday in May and September; and • Two of the three Saturdays of peak season holiday weekends (Memorial Day [May 25, 2024], Independence Day [July 6, 2024], or Labor Day [August 31, 2024]). Because the campgrounds did not open until June and monitoring was not required in May, only 16 monitoring days were required in 2024. And although not required, the Licensees scheduled an additional monitoring day in early June in an effort to capture early season use information and collected monitoring data for a total of 17 days in 2024. Under both daily and stratified sampling approaches used for estimating campground occupancy, staff conducted one observation at each campground, generally, between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and recorded whether each campsite had evidence (e.g., tent, vehicle, cooler) of being occupied. The Licensees’ campground hosts recorded observations on hard copy forms and transferred the data to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Data were regularly checked for quality assurance and quality control purposes. In addition to conducting onsite occupancy observations, the Licensees compiled 2023 and 2024 campsite reservation data tabulated in PG&E’s campground database. Data from this source tabulates Haskins Valley Campground daily reservations—the only Project campground with reservable sites—and the number of campsites occupied by walk-in campers in Sundew and Mill Creek campgrounds and in Lower Bucks Lake Campground. Grizzly Forebay Campground is a non-fee facility; therefore, no PG&E reservation system walk-in data were collected. 2.4 Day Use Area Occupancy The Licensees collected parking and picnic site occupancy data at Bucks Lake, Lower Bucks Lake, and Grizzly Forebay: • Bucks Lake day use areas—Haskins Valley Boat Launch, Indian Rock 3 Day Use Area, Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area, West End Cove Day Use Area • Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area • Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area The Licensees used the same stratified sampling approach described for Grizzly Forebay Campground in Section 2.3, Campground Occupancy, to collect monitoring data at the day use areas. Staff conducted at least one observation 4 at each day use facility on 17 days, generally, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and recorded the number of occupied designated parking spaces and picnic sites. The Licensees’ monitoring staff used electronic tablets to record observations on an ArcGIS Survey123 form and then uploaded data at the end of each monitoring day. Data were 3 This facility is also known as Indian Rocks Day Use Area. 4 Although only one observation at facility was required on a sampled day, the Licensees occasionally conducted more than one spot-count during the day. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 2.0 Page 2-4 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara regularly checked for quality assurance and quality control purposes. Three Lakes Trailhead was not surveyed because the facility access road was closed for Dixie Fire hazard tree removal. 2.5 Sandy Point Boat Launch Use The Licensees used the same stratified sampling approach described for Grizzly Forebay Campground (Section 2.3 Campground Occupancy) to collect monitoring data for the Sandy Point Boat Launch. Staff continuously monitored the launch ramp between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on each monitoring day and recorded the time of each trailered boat launched or retrieved using the launch ramp. 2.6 Social Monitoring Visitor surveys were scheduled throughout the monitoring period and conducted at all Project campgrounds and day use areas from June 1 through September 7, 2024. The Licensees used the same stratified sampling approach described for Grizzly Forebay Campground (Section 2.3, Campground Occupancy) to conduct visitor surveys. Based on the visitor survey content used for the 2015 relicensing study, the Licensees developed a short, focused survey to collect basic information about visitors’ satisfaction, perceived crowding of recreation facilities and water surface, and user conflicts. The survey content was customized for each facility so that information relevant to only that facility and location would be collected (e.g., surveys at Grizzly Forebay did not include questions about Bucks Lake water surface). Based on 2015 visitor use estimates and assuming the recreation facilities would be open and available for public use between May 15 and September 30, the Licensees planned to collect 378 visitor survey responses. Because the recreation facilities were not open for public use in May and Hutchins Group Campground and Three Lakes were never open during the monitoring period, the target number of survey responses was reduced to 309. Table 2.6-1 shows the survey target adjustments, which are consistent with the Licensees’ methodology to not reallocate the target number of surveys assigned to closed facilities among the open and available facilities. The Licensees collected 338 visitor surveys, which exceeded the adjusted target number of surveys that the Licensees had planned to collect. Taking into account the adjustment of 69 surveys, the total planned target of 378 surveys was reduced to 309 surveys. Staff conducted visitor surveys at each Project recreation facility on 17 days, generally, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sandy Point Boat Launch had a narrower survey window from 9:00 a.m. to11:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visitors were randomly contacted at each facility, asked whether they would be willing to participate in the survey, and screened to confirm the person was at least 18 years old and had not been previously surveyed. For visitors who did not want to participate in a survey, the attempted survey was tabulated as a refusal. The Licensees’ monitoring staff used electronic tablets to record visitors’ responses and then uploaded data at the end of each monitoring day. Data were regularly checked for quality assurance and quality control purposes. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 2-5 Section 2.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 2.6-1. Target number of visitor surveys adjusted to delete planned surveys (1) in May and (2) at Hutchins Group Campground and Three Lakes. Project Recreation Site Target No. of Surveys to Collect in June, July, and August Target No. of Surveys to Collect in May and September Target No. of Surveys to Collect on Holiday Weekends Planned Weekday Adjusted Weekday Planned Weekend Adjusted Weekend Planned Weekday Adjusted Weekday Planned Weekend Adjusted Weekend Planned Holiday Adjusted Holiday Mill Creek Campground 12 12 12 12 4 2 4 2 4 4 Haskins Valley Campground 36 36 36 36 12 6 12 6 13 13 Sundew Campground 19 19 19 19 6 3 6 3 7 7 Lower Bucks Lake Campground 5 5 5 5 2 1 2 1 2 2 Grizzly Forebay Campground 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 Hutchins Group Campground 10 0 10 0 3 0 3 0 4 0 Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 20 20 20 20 7 4 7 4 8 8 Indian Rock Day Use Area 9 9 9 9 3 1 3 1 3 3 West End Cove Day Use Area 6 6 6 6 2 1 2 1 2 2 Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 Three Lakes Trailhead 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 4 4 4 4 1 1 1 1 2 2 Total 125 114 125 114 42 20 42 20 47 44 Adjustment to target -11 -11 -22 -22 -3 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Section 2.0 Page 2-6 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 2.7 Bucks Lake Water Surface Monitoring The Licensees’ monitoring staff used a boat to conduct direct observations of watercraft use on Bucks Lake on June 22, July 20, and August 17, 2024, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The monitoring staff recorded the type of recreation use associated with each observed watercraft along with the number and type of watercraft observed at-one-time in each of the water zones depicted in Figure 2-7.1. Data were recorded on hard copy forms that were uploaded at the end of each monitoring day. Figure 2.7-1. Bucks Lake water surface zones for monitoring watercraft. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-1 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.0 Monitoring Results 3.1 Campground Occupancy 3.1.1 2023 Campground Occupancy The Licensees’ campground hosts began collecting campground occupancy data in July 2023, representing the first effort to collect monitoring data under the new license; consequently, this task was new for onsite personnel. Data collection required training and mid-season adjustments to ensure facility operators were accurately and consistently recording data. During this learning period, a few deviations from the sampling protocol occurred, such as missed daily observations; however, most inconsistencies were corrected during the season. The heavy snowpack and the excessive number of hazard tree removals delayed facility opening and data collection until July and, in some cases, August. Haskins Valley Campground opened on July 1, Lower Bucks Lake Campground opened August 24, and Grizzly Campground was closed for the entire season because of hazard trees and fuel reduction activities. Mill Creek and Sundew campgrounds opened July 19 and 22, respectively. Hutchins Group Campground was not available for public use because of ongoing Dixie Fire cleanup (e.g., hazard tree removal, presence of debris and slash piles), so no monitoring data were collected. Table 3.1-1 presents the daily occupancy for the four open campgrounds in 2023 for the periods they were open to the public. The Licensees calculated weekday (Monday through Thursday) and non-holiday weekend (Friday and Saturday) occupancies in peak and non-peak season. Overall occupancy for each campground is based on all days of the week. Holiday weekend occupancy at Haskins Valley Campground is based on observations recorded over the Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. Because Independence Day occurred on a Tuesday, occupancy is based on number of campsites occupied Friday, July 1, through Monday, July 3. Labor Day occupancy is based on the number of campsites occupied on Friday, September 1, through Sunday, September 3. Mill Creek, Sundew, and Lower Bucks Lake campgrounds were not open until after Independence Day, so the holiday occupancy is only based on Labor Day weekend. The estimated campground occupancies in this section, including tables, are presented on a daily basis. Mill Creek, Haskins Valley, and Sundew campgrounds were open until at least September 30, the end of the monitoring period. Lower Bucks Lake Campground closed September 14. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3.1-1. Daily campground occupancy, 2023.a Project Recreation Site 2023 Monitoring Period Non-Holiday Weekend Occupancy (% of capacity) Non-Holiday Weekday Occupancy (% of capacity) Holiday (% of capacity) Overall (% of capacity) Overall Peak season Non-peak season Overall Peak season Non-Peak season Mill Creek Campground July 19– September 30 59 78 30 40 53 16 17b 43 Haskins Valley Campground July 1– September 30 49 70 8 27 37 4 62c 35 Sundew Campground July 22– September 30 50 63 33 29 39 13 55b 36 Weighted Average- Bucks Laked -- 50 69 16 29 39 7 56 36 Lower Bucks Lake Campground August 24– September 14 21 35 7 13 21 8 81b 24 a Occupancy data for Hutchins Group Campground and Grizzly Forebay Campground are not reported because these campgrounds were not available for public use in 2023. b Based Labor Day weekend. c Based on Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. d Based on proportionate number of total campsites at Bucks Lake in each open facility: Mill Creek with 10 sites = 10%; Haskins Valley with 65 sites = 67%; and Sundew with 22 sites = 23%. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-3 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.1.2 2024 Campground Occupancy The heavy snowpack and excessive number of hazard tree removals delayed facility opening and data collection until after Memorial Day. Haskins Valley, Mill Creek, and Sundew campgrounds opened for public use on June 1. Lower Bucks Lake and Grizzly Forebay campgrounds opened for public use on June 15. The Licensees did not monitor recreation use at Hutchins Group Campground because of ongoing Dixie Fire cleanup (e.g., hazard tree removal, presence of debris and slash piles), and the site was closed to public use in 2024. The campgrounds were available through October 6, 2024, and occupancy data were collected through September 30, 2024. The Licensees used the monitoring methodology to collect campground occupancy data; however, some deviations occurred and resulted in three missing observations: •Mill Creek Campground—September 9; and •Grizzly Forebay Campground—Independence Day (Saturday, July 6) and one non-holiday Saturday in August. Table 3.1-2 contains the daily occupancy rates sorted by season, weekends, weekdays and holidays. The table also shows a weighted average occupancy for the three Bucks Lake campgrounds. Mill Creek Campground had the highest occupancy for peak and non-peak seasons, weekends, weekdays, and holidays. Mill Creek Campground’s high occupancy rate can be attributed to its proximity to the shoreline and because it has the fewest number of sites of the three Bucks Lake campgrounds. High occupancy at the campgrounds on holiday weekends is typical for summertime visitor use, and the second highest use typically occurs on weekends during the peak season. This pattern is consistent with occupancy determined by the campground monitoring data. The average peak season weekend occupancy at Bucks Lake campgrounds ranged from 47 to 71 percent with a weighted average for all three campgrounds of 56 percent. These occupancy rates indicate that campground capacity is adequate for the existing levels of use and that these campgrounds could also accommodate increased future use. Lower Bucks Lake and Grizzly Forebay campgrounds are much smaller and receive low use as compared with Bucks Lake. The peak season weekend occupancy rates of 46 and 36 percent for Lower Bucks Lake and Grizzly Forebay campgrounds, respectively, also indicate that campground capacity is adequate for the existing levels of use and that these campgrounds could also accommodate increased future use. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-4 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3.1-2. Daily campground occupancy, 2024.a Project Recreation Site 2024 Monitoring Period Non-Holiday Weekend Occupancy (% of capacity) Non-Holiday Weekday Occupancy (% of capacity) Holiday Overall Overall Peak season Non-peak season Overall Peak season Non-Peak season % of capacity Mill Creek Campground June 22–September 30 58 71 29 51 63 24 95b 55 Haskins Valley Campground June 1–September 30 50 57 12 23 30 3 85b 32 Sundew Campground June 4–September 30 40 47 19 28 34 8 54b 32 Weighted Average for Bucks Lakec -- 49 56 15 27 34 6 79 34 Lower Bucks Lake Campground June 15–September 30 52 63 29 32 40 9 83b 40 Grizzly Forebay Campground June 15–September 30 33 36 17 23 24 0 33d 29 a Occupancy data for Hutchins Group Campground is not reported because it was not available for public use in 2024. b Based on Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. c Based on proportionate number of total campsites at Bucks Lake in each open facility: Mill Creek with 10 sites = 10%; Haskins Valley with 65 sites = 67%; and Sundew with 22 sites = 23%. d Based on Labor Day weekend. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-5 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.1.3 Campground Reservation Data Visitors can make reservations at Haskins Valley Campground by using a PG&E website. No campsites at Mill Creek, Sundew, Lower Bucks Lake, and Grizzly Forebay campgrounds are reservable and are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. PG&E’s reservation database also tabulates campsites occupied by walk-in campers at the Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake campgrounds. Table 3.1-3 shows the number of campsites reserved and occupied by walk-in campers at the Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake campgrounds in 2023 and 2024. Table 3.1-4 shows the monthly and seasonal daily average occupancy rate based on the number of campsites and the number of days in each month that the facility was open for public use. Table 3.1-3. Number of campsites reserved and occupied by walk-in campers at Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake campgrounds in 2023 and 2024. Month No. of Campsites Reserved or Occupied by Walk-in Camper Mill Creek Campground Haskins Valley Campground Sundew Campground Lower Bucks Lake Campground 2023 May 0 0 0 0 June 0 0 0 0 July 93 1,028 136 0 August 172 718 276 0 September 60 231 151 0 Seasonal total 325 1,977 563 0 2024 May 0 13 0 0 June 121 615 267 56 July 163 1,219 497 99 August 176 805 262 83 September 80 165 78 31 Seasonal total 540 2,817 1,104 269 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-6 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3.1-4. Daily campground occupancy for Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake in 2023 and 2024 as reported in PG&E’s reservation database. Month % of Available Capacity Mill Creek Campground Haskins Valley Campground Sundew Campground Lower Bucks Lake Campground 2023 May 0 0 0 0 June 0 0 0 0 July 78 51 20 0 August 55 36 40 0 September 20 12 23 0 Seasonal average 45 33 25 0 2024 May 0 0 0 0 June 27 32 40 27 July 46 60 73 46 August 38 40 38 38 September 15 8 12 15 Seasonal average 44 36 41 31 3.2 2024 Day Use Area Occupancy The heavy snowpack and excessive number of hazard tree removals delayed facility opening and data collection until June 1, the weekend after Memorial Day. The Licensees’ monitoring staff conducted 117 occupancy observations at day use areas from June 1 to September 7, 2024. Although the methodology only required conducting one occupancy observation on a sampled day, the Licensees occasionally conducted two observations at a day use area, as time permitted. When multiple observations were completed on a sampled day, the observation with the highest number of occupied parking spaces and picnic sites was used to compute occupancy. The Licensees calculated average daily occupancy of parking areas and picnic sites at the day use areas for weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and non-holiday weekends (Friday and Saturday) in peak and non-peak season weekends and holiday weekends (Table 3.2-1). Overall average occupancy for each day use area is based on all days of the week in peak and non-peak seasons. The estimated day use area occupancies in this section, including tables, are presented on a daily basis. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-7 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3.2-1. Daily day use area occupancy, 2024.a Project Recreation Site 2024 Monitoring Period Non-Holiday Weekend Occupancy (% of capacity) Non-Holiday Weekday Occupancy (% of capacity) Holidayb Overall Overall Peak Season Non-peak Season Overall Peak Season Non-Peak Season (% of capacity) Sandy Point Day Use Area and Boat Launch-Parking (52 spaces) June 1–September 7 49 51 38 12 13 6 80 38 Sandy Point Day Use Area and Boat Launch-Picnic sites (30 sites) July 1–September 7 18 19 10 5 6 0 33 15 Indian Rock-Parking (8 spaces) June 1–September 7 80 84 50 66 71 38 94 75 Indian Rock-Picnic sites (2 sites) June 1–September 7 55 65 0 50 50 50 100 60 West End Cove Day Use Area-Parking (6 spaces) June 1–September 7 38 40 17 45 45 50 67 43 West End Cove Day Use Area-Picnic sites (3 sites) June 1–September 7 20 23 0 37 43 0 33 30 Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area-Parking (20 spacesc) June 1–September 7 18 17 20 12 13 5 38 18 Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area (12 spaces) June 1–September 7 8 8 0 0 0 0 17 5 Haskins Valley Boat Launch (8 spaces) June 22–September 7 41 45 25 11 13 0 106 36 a Occupancy data for Three Lakes Trailhead is not reported because it was not available for public use in 2024. b Based on Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. c Capacity is estimated because parking spaces are not designated. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-8 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Average daily holiday weekend occupancy is based on observations conducted over Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. Because Independence Day occurred on a Tuesday, occupancy is based on number of parking spaces and picnic sites occupied Saturday, July 6. Labor Day occupancy is based on the number of parking spaces and picnic sites occupied on Saturday, August 31. High occupancy at the day use areas on holiday weekends is typical for visitor use during the summer, and the second highest use typically occurs on weekends during the peak season. This pattern is consistent with occupancy determined by the day use area monitoring data. Among all Bucks Lake day use areas, Indian Rock had the highest occupancy for parking (84 percent) and picnic sites (65 percent) on peak season weekends. Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area has the most capacity with 52 parking spaces and 30 picnic sites, and the average peak season weekend occupancies were 51 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Low picnic site occupancy may reflect visitors’ preference to use the abundant and gentle sloping shoreline to be close the water’s edge at the day use area, rather than using the picnic sites. Across all Bucks Lake’s day use areas, parking and picnic site occupancies indicate adequate capacity for the existing and potential increased future use of day use areas at Bucks Lake. Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area and Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area had occupancy rates of 17 percent and 8 percent, respectively, on peak season weekends. These very low occupancy rates are expected because these smaller reservoirs have remote access and do not allow high speed boating. Data collection included recording anecdotal information about events and conditions observed at the day use areas on the sampled days. Reviewing these monitoring staff comments revealed additional information about day use area visitor use. Some of the relevant comments follow: • Indian Rock – Vehicles were often parked along the road shoulder near the designated parking area. Monitoring staff counted as many as 16 to 25 vehicles parked along the shoulder on each of three sampled days. – Picnic sites were not occupied on about one-third of the sampled days despite there being many visitors using the site. Most visitors appeared to prefer to be close to the water’s edge rather than at the upslope picnic sites. • Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area – Most visitors parked their vehicles at and near the water’s edge. • West End Cove Day Use Area – Vehicles were often parked along the road shoulder near the designated parking area. Staff counted as many as 13 and 19 vehicles parked along the shoulder on each of two sampled days. – Monitoring staff observed vehicles using the designated parking area and adjacent road shoulder even when no visitors were using the shoreline, indicating that the parking area is being used by those who are not using the day use area. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-9 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.3 2024 Sandy Point Boat Launch Use The Licensees continuously monitored the watercraft launch and retrieval activities at Sandy Point Boat Launch on 17 days from June 1 to September 7 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Table 3.3-1 shows the daily average number of launches and retrievals, and Figures 3.3-1 to 3.3-5 show the average number of watercraft launched and retrieved in 15-minute intervals in peak and non-peak seasons, non-holiday weekends and weekdays, and holidays. As expected, the highest use occurs during the peak season weekends and holidays. During the busiest times at the boat launch on peak weekends, the 15-minute interval with the highest use had about 1.5 boat launches or retrievals. The morning hours were slightly busier than other times of the day, but the Licensees’ monitoring staff observed activity throughout the monitored times. Overall, holidays were the busiest days at the boat launch. During the busiest times for the launch on holidays the 15-minute interval with the highest use had about three boat launches or retrievals. The Licensees observed continuous launch-and-retrieval activity throughout the day with a slight trend of greater activity in the earlier and later parts of the day. The Licensees analyzed the visitor responses collected at Sandy Point Boat Launch to assess whether visitors encountered wait times when launching or retrieving their boats. Two of the 23 respondents (about 8 percent of respondents) said they encountered wait times. One visitor reported waiting 5 minutes on a peak season weekday, and another visitor reported waiting 10 minutes on a holiday (Labor Day). Twenty visitors rated the Sandy Point Boat Launch condition by providing a rating of 1 (strongly disagree) to 9 (strongly agree) with the following statement: The Sandy Point Boat Launch is well maintained and in good general condition. A total of 18 visitors provided a rating of 9, 1 visitor provided a rating of 8, and 1 visitor provided a rating of 1. The response frequencies indicate the boat launch provides adequate capacity for the existing level of use and is in good condition. Table 3-3-1. Daily average number of watercraft launched and retrieved at Sandy Point Boat Launch. Daily Average No. of Watercraft Launched and Retrieved during Observation Periods Peak Season Non-Holiday Weekends (n = 7) Peak Season Weekdays (n = 6) Non-Peak Season Weekends (n = 1) Non-Peak Season Weekdays (n = 1) Holidays (n = 2) 19.6 6.2 16.0 9.0 37.5 Note: n = Number of days when the Licensees’ monitoring staff collected observations at the Sandy Point Boat Launch. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-10 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3.3-1. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the peak season on non-holiday weekends at Sandy Point Boat Launch. Figure 3.3-2. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the peak season on weekdays at Sandy Point Boat Launch. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-11 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3.3-3. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the non-peak season on weekends at Sandy Point Boat Launch. Figure 3.3-4. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the non-peak season on weekdays at Sandy Point Boat Launch. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-12 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3.3-5. Average number of watercraft launches and retrievals in the peak season on holiday weekends at Sandy Point Boat Launch. 3.4 2024 Social Monitoring This section contains an analysis of visitor response frequencies about visitor characteristics, activities, facilities, use, accessibility, suggestions for improvements and general comments. Response frequencies are sorted by reservoir and facility, as appropriate. The Licensees’ monitoring staff conducted visitor surveys on 17 days from June 1 to September 7, 2024, and attempted to interview 372 visitors. For this effort, responses were collected from 338 visitors, exceeding the adjusted target number of 309 surveys. Of the 34 visitors who did not complete surveys, 18 had already been surveyed earlier in the season and 16 visitors refused to take surveys. Most of those visitors who refused to take the survey said they were either too busy or did not give a specific reason. The overall survey refusal rate of 5 percent was low. The weather during the visitor survey collection was warm and clear and typical for the season. Table 3.4-1 contains the target and actual number of surveys collected at each facility. The Licensees did not conduct surveys at Hutchins Group Campground and Three Lakes because they were not available to the public in 2024. Overall, the Licensees collected more visitor surveys (338) than specified in the adjusted methodology (309). The actual number of surveys completed for a facility or season was sometimes lower than the target number of surveys mainly because some facilities did not have visitors present on the sampled days within the specified time frame or visitors did not want to participate in the survey. In some cases, the Licensees conducted additional surveys to make up the differences, and completed surveys were collected at available Project recreation facilities in peak and non-peak seasons and on weekends, weekdays, and holidays. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-13 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3.4-1. Target and actual number of visitor surveys collected at Project recreation facilities.a Project Recreation Site Peak Season—June, July, and August (no. of visitor surveys) Non-Peak Season—May and September (no. of visitor surveys) Holiday Weekends (no. of visitor surveys) Total Target/Actual (no. of visitor surveys) Target WD Actual Target WE Actual Target WD Actual Target WE Actual Target HD Actual Mill Creek Campground 12 12 12 17 2 2 2 0 4 5 32/36 Haskins Valley Campground 36 36 36 44 6 2 6 7 13 16 97/105 Sundew Campground 19 18 19 21 3 4 3 0 7 8 51/51 Lower Bucks Lake Campground 5 6 5 8 1 2 1 0 2 2 14/18 Grizzly Forebay Campground 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 3/5 Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 20 25 20 17 4 2 4 2 8 9 56/55 Indian Rock Day Use Area 9 9 9 11 1 2 1 5 3 4 23/31 West End Cove Day Use Area 6 6 6 7 1 2 1 1 2 3 16/19 Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 3 5 3 6 1 2 1 0 1 2 9/15 Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 4 0 4 3 1 0 1 0 2 0 12/3 Total 115 117 115 137 20 18 20 15 43 51 309b/338c Notes: HD = holiday; WD = weekday; WE = weekend a Hutchins Group Campground and Three Lakes were not available for public use in 2024, and visitor surveys were not conducted at these locations. b The target number of surveys in this column adds up to 313; however, the adjusted target is 309 due to rounding in the target adjustment calculation (Table 2.6-1). c The number of surveys collected at each reservoir: Bucks Lake = 297; Lower Bucks Lake = 33; and Grizzly Forebay = 8 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-14 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.4.1 Visitor Profile This section presents an analysis of visitor survey responses about visitors’ place of residence, party size, and activity participation. Table 3.4-2 contains the percentages of visitors’ places of residence based on zip codes provided in the survey responses. Most survey respondents reside in Northern California, and a considerable percentage of these visitors reside in nearby Butte and Plumas counties. These results are similar to the percentages compiled in the 2015 visitors’ places of residence reported in Technical Memorandum 31, Recreation Questionnaires (PG&E and CSC 2016). Party size reported in the survey responses ranged from 1 to 32 people with an average among all day use areas and campgrounds of 5.2 people per party. Table 3.4-3 lists the average party size for each facility. Table 3.4-2. Survey respondents’ place of residence. Place of Residence Percent of Visitor Survey Respondents (%) Butte and Plumas counties 45.60 Other Northern California countiesa 38.70 Southern California countiesb 0.90 Nevada 11.60 Other out of state 3.30 a Includes Northern California counties of Alameda, Amador, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba. b Includes Southern California counties of San Bernadino and San Luis Obispo. Table 3.4-3. Party size by facility. Campground Average Party Size (no. of people) Day Use Area Average Party Size (no. of people) Bucks Lake Mill Creek Campground 4.4 Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area 4.6 Haskins Valley Campground 5.7 Indian Rock Day Use Area 5.4 Sundew Campground 5.4 West End Cove Day Use Area 5.4 Lower Bucks Lake Lower Bucks Lake Campground 5.2 Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 5.9 Grizzly Forebay Grizzly Forebay Campground 4.6 Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 3.2 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-15 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.4.2 Recreation Activity Participation This section reports visitor responses about all activities as well as the primary activity visitors participated in during their visit. The response frequencies are tabulated for each reservoir (Figures 3.4-4 through 3.4-9). The horizontal axis lists all of the activities that were included in the visitor survey. Consequently, the bars with zeros indicate no visitors surveyed said that they participated in these activities. Bucks Lake and Lower Bucks Lake visitors participated in more kinds of activities than Grizzly Forebay visitors. Swimming, camping, and angling were the most frequent responses about primary activities at Bucks and Lower Bucks Lake. Angling and camping were the most frequent primary activity responses from Grizzly Forebay visitors. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-16 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3.4-4. All recreation activities identified by visitors at Bucks Lake. Figure 3.4-5. Visitors’ primary activity participation at Bucks Lake. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-17 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3.4-6. All recreation activities identified by visitors at Lower Bucks Lake. Figure 3.4-7. Visitors’ primary activity participation at Lower Bucks Lake. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-18 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3.4-8. All recreation activities identified by visitors at Grizzly Forebay. Figure 3.4-9. Visitors’ primary activity participation at Grizzly Forebay. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-19 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.4.3 Reservoir Water Surface and Use This section presents the survey response frequencies related to Project reservoir water surface and use (Table 3.4-4). Responses were sorted as appropriate to each question (e.g., only responses collected at Bucks Lake were analyzed for satisfaction with Bucks Lake water level). Table 3.4-4. Response frequencies to survey questions about Project water surface and use. Survey Question or Statement Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up/Comments Did the water level of Bucks Lake constrain your ability to participate in all of your planned activities? No = 91% Yes = 6% NA = 2.7% Water level was too high (2 responses) Water level was too low (9 responses) What kind of boat did you use today on Bucks Lake? Non-motorized watercraft = 47% High hp motorboat = 30% Low hp motorboat = 16% PWC = 3.5% Pontoon boat = 2.3% Other = <1% None Were there any specific areas on the reservoir where you wanted to take your boat today on Bucks Lake but something prevented you from using these areas? No = 88% Yes = 4% NA = 7% Reported areas of difficulty: • Haskins Bay/shallow (4 responses) • Mill Creek inlet/shallow (1 response) • Sandy Point/stumps (1 response) How satisfied are you with the level of Bucks Lake today? (rating scale 1=very unsatisfied to 5 = very satisfied) All months = 4.7 June = 4.8 July = 4.8 August = 4.6 September = 4.9 None Did you have to wait to launch your boat? No = 57% Yes = 4% NA = 39% Average wait time of 6.25 minutes Did you have to wait to retrieve your boat? No = 43.1% Yes = 0% NA = 57% Average wait time of 0 minutes (no visitors reported a wait time) Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-20 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Survey Question or Statement Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up/Comments How crowded did you feel today during your visit in or on: (rating scale 1 = not at all crowded to 9 = extremely crowded)? Bucks Lake 2.1 10 of 92 responses > 4 Lower Bucks Lake 2.1 3 of 33 responses >4 Grizzly Forebay 1.0 NA I experienced conflicts (at Bucks Lake) with watersport boaters (e.g., waterskiing, wakeboarding). (rating scale 1 = strong disagreement to 9 = strong agreement) 1.5 14 responses about conflicts (summarized here): • Boaters that do not drive well and make large wakes • Boats making wakes in no wake zones • Loud boats and music • PWC operated too fast or close to swimmers, anglers, and non-motorized watercraft • Sailboats beached too close to campsites (Sundew) I experienced conflicts (at Bucks Lake) with personal watercraft users. (rating scale 1=strong disagreement to 9=strong agreement) 1.3 4 responses about conflicts: • Large wakes • Speeding and crossing fishing lines • Loud noise • PWC operating too close to non-motorized watercraft I experienced conflicts with anglers at: (rating scale 1 = strong disagreement to 9 = strong agreement) Bucks Lake 1.1 NA Lower Bucks Lake 1.1 NA Grizzly Forebay 1.0 NA Notes: hp = horsepower NA = not applicable because visitor’s numerical response did not generate a follow-up question or visitor did not provide a response PWC = personal watercraft Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-21 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.4.4 Project Recreation Facilities This section presents the survey response frequencies related to Project recreation facilities. The response frequencies are sorted by facility (Table 3.4-5). Table 3.4-5. Response frequencies for survey questions about Project recreation facilities. Survey Question Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up I experienced disruptive behavior by other visitors at: (rating scale 1 = strong disagreement to 9=strong agreement) 1.5 NA Mill Creek Campground 1.8 NA Haskins Valley Campground 1.4 NA Sundew Campground 1.8 NA Lower Bucks Lake Campground 1.7 NA Grizzly Forebay Campground 1.0 NA Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 1.5 NA Indian Rock Day Use Area 1.7 NA West End Cove Day Use Area 1.2 NA Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 1.1 NA Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 1.0 NA The campground facilities are well maintained and in good general condition at: (rating scale 1=strong disagreement to 9=strong agreement) Mill Creek Campground 6.1 • Restrooms not functioning • Portable restroom full or not clean • Potable water not available • Potholes in access road Haskins Valley Campground 8.5 • Restrooms not clean • Campsite was not clean when arrived Sundew Campground 7.1 • Potable water not available • Low hanging vegetation impedes RV access • No online notification about fire restrictions Lower Bucks Lake Campground 7.4 • Potable water not available Grizzly Forebay Campground 6.6 • Restroom not clean Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-22 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Survey Question Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up The day use areas are well maintained and in good general condition 1=strong disagreement to 9=strong agreement) Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 8.3 NA Indian Rock Day Use Area 8.2 NA West End Cove Day Use Area 8.8 NA Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 8.7 NA Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 8.5 NA maintained and in good general condition. 9=strong agreement) 9.0 NA maintained and in good general condition. (rating scale 9=strong agreement) 6.7 • Potholes in ramp and crumbling concrete pavement I felt safe while recreating today at:.(rating agreement) 8.9 NA Mill Creek Campground 8.9 NA Haskins Valley Campground 8.9 NA Sundew Campground 8.8 NA Lower Bucks Lake Campground 8.8 NA Grizzly Forebay Campground 9.0 NA Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 9.0 NA Indian Rock Day Use Area 8.8 NA West End Cove Day Use Area 8.8 NA Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 8.8 NA Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 9.0 NA There was available parking when I arrived. 9=strong agreement) Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 8.9 NA Indian Rock Day Use Area 8.2 NA West End Cove Day Use Area 8.6 NA Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 8.9 NA Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 9.0 NA Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-23 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Survey Question Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up There were available campsites when I arrived 9=strong agreement) Bucks Lake: 7.8 • Hard to find sites at first come/first served campgrounds Mill Creek Campground 8.2 NA Haskins Valley Campground 7.8 NA Sundew Campground 7.9 NA Lower Bucks Lake Campground 7.1 NA Grizzly Forebay Campground 9.0 NA difficulties, due to any disability, in their use of the recreation facilities during this trip? No = 96% Yesa = 4% • Suggested improvements listed by facilityb: Mill Creek Campground No = 88% Yes = 12% • Increase the number of accessible campsites • Repair road surface • Clear trails of overgrown vegetation • Replace stairs with ramps • Improve access routes to restrooms and beach • Improve restrooms to make them accessible • Designate front campsite for persons with disabilities • Provide accessible dock for fishing Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-24 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Survey Question Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up Haskins Valley Campground No = 98% Yes = 2% • Add/widen parking spaces near boat ramp • Provide more accessibility in restrooms (e.g., handrails) • Provide restrooms closer to the lake • Allow persons with disabilities to park near boat ramp • Provide accessible route to shoreline • Provide signage for visually impaired • Provide more accessibility at campsites (e.g., ramps, surfacing) • Provide showers and power at accessible sites • Provide loaner wheelchairs for beach access • Provide benches near shoreline Sundew Campground No = 98% Yes = 2% • Provide paved/accessible routes to shoreline and within the campground • Allow disabled visitors to reserve sites • Increase the number of accessible campsites • Only allow disabled persons to use the designated campsite Lower Bucks Lake Campground No = 100% Yes = 0% • Provide accessible routes to fire pits and shoreline Grizzly Forebay Campground No = 80% Yes = 20% • Constructing ramps, stairs and clear trails • Provide accessible campsites (pave) Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area No = 96% Yes = 4% • Clear debris on the ground • Provide paved/accessible route to shoreline Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-25 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Survey Question Response Frequency (%) or Average Rating (number) Survey Question Follow-up Indian Rock Day Use Area No = 97% Yes = 3% • Provide an accessible route to shoreline (e.g., slope, surfacing) • Provide benches near shoreline West End Cove Day Use Area No = 89% Yes = 11% • Provide paved/accessible route to shoreline • Improve the stairs • Suggest developing accessible day use area near the spillway. Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area No = 100% Yes = 0% • Provide more accessibility in restrooms • Identify tripping hazards by painting • Provide accessible route to shoreline Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area No = 100% Yes = 0% • Clear debris • Provide staircases • Provide more parking near ramp • Install signage How crowded did you feel today at this facility? (rating scale 1=not at all crowded to 9=extremely crowded): 2.4 NA Grizzly Forebay Campground 1.0 NA Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 1.0 NA Haskins Valley Campground 2.5 NA Indian Rock Day Use Area 2.4 NA Lower Bucks Lake Campground 2.5 NA Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 1.4 NA Mill Creek Campground 3.3 NA Sundew Campground 2.9 NA West End Cove Day Use Area 1.2 NA Notes: NA = not applicable because visitor’s numerical response did not generate a follow-up question RV = recreational vehicle a Some affirmative responses reflected the visitors’ personal limitation (e.g., bad knees), rather than a limitation presented by the facility. The suggestions listed relate to potential facility accessibility improvements. b Only summarizes the visitors’ responses related to accessibility. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-26 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.4.5 Visitor Responses to Open-ended Question The visitor survey included the following open-ended question to solicit any ideas, concerns, opinions, or suggestions about the Project or area: “Is there any additional information you would like to provide about the Bucks Creek Project or the general area?” The Licensees received responses from almost all visitors and categorized the 335 responses into 1 of 11 themes, or coded responses. The coded category includes both positive and negative responses about the category (e.g., water level). Table 3.4-6 contains the number of coded responses to the open-ended question. Most of the visitors responded to this survey question with positive comments or comments about facility maintenance and management. Appendix C contains a table of the verbatim survey responses sorted by the eleven general themes for each facility where the survey was conducted. Table 3.4-6. Number of coded responses to the open-ended question: “Is there any additional information you would like to provide about the Bucks Creek Project or the general area? Coded Response Category Number of responses 1. General positive comment 90 2. New or improved facilities 44 3. Facility maintenance or management 79 4. Improve signage or visitor information 20 5. Road or trail condition 5 6. Reservations, website or passes 44 7. Cellular service or internet access 5 8. Reservoir level 6 9. Fish or angling 2 10. Like it as is 6 11. Other 34 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-27 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.5 Watercraft Use on Bucks Lake, 2024 In 2024, the Licensees’ monitoring staff conducted on-water observations between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on one Saturday in each month in June, July, and August. The weather during the observations was warm and clear and typical for the season. Table 3.5-1 lists, by day, the number and types of watercraft observed at-one-time and its associated recreation use by zone (Figure 2- 7.1). The most frequent type of watercraft observed on the lake was high-horsepower motorboats (i.e., greater than 35). Non-motorized boats (e.g., kayak) was the second most frequently observed watercraft, particularly in water zone A (Haskins Bay). The highest (91) and lowest (23) numbers of watercraft were observed in July and August, respectively, with a seasonal average of 60 watercraft. The Licensees’ monitoring staff observed most watercraft use in water zones B and C, the largest and center part of the reservoir, and general boating was the most frequently observed activity. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-28 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3.5-1. Bucks Lake watercraft use observations, 2024. Type (no. of watercraft) Activity (no. of activities associated with watercraft) Water surface zone PW C / ka bo a t -po w e r ) Observation Date and Time: June 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. A 3 1 0 9 2 1 1 6 0 9 0 0 0 16 B 8 0 3 3 2 1 1 8 3 3 1 0 1 17 C 13 0 2 5 0 1 0 9 2 5 5 0 0 21 D 9 1 0 0 0 1 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 Daily Total 33 2 5 17 4 4 2 34 5 17 6 0 1 65 Observation Date and Time: July 20, 2:42 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. A 3 0 3 15 0 1 0 5 2 12 1 0 2 22 B 16 0 4 2 1 5 4 11 4 1 4 0 4 28 C 12 2 5 5 0 6 2 9 5 5 5 0 4 30 D 4 4 0 2 0 1 4 4 0 2 0 0 1 11 Daily total 35 6 12 24 1 13 10 29 11 20 10 0 11 91 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-29 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Project Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Type (no. of watercraft) Activity (no. of activities associated with watercraft) Water surface zone PW C / ka bo a t -po w e r ) Observation Date and Time: August 17, 1:00 p.m. to 1:49 p.m. A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 B 8 1 0 3 0 0 1 6 3 0 1 1 0 12 C 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0 7 D 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 Daily total 18 2 0 3 0 0 3 14 3 0 2 1 0 23 Totals 86 10 17 44 5 17 15 77 19 37 18 1 12 179 Average daily totals 29 3 6 15 2 6 5 26 6 12 6 0 4 60 Notes: hp = horsepower PWC = personal watercraft a Includes stand-up paddleboards. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-30 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Lake has a maximum water surface elevation of 5,157 feet, which creates a water surface area of about 1,827 acres. Reservoir elevations during monitoring ranged from a high of about 5,152 feet in June to a low of 5,147 feet in August (Table 3.5-2). This range of reservoir elevations—and the resulting range of water surface acreage—that existed during monitoring were typical for and consistent with the Normal water year type (which was discussed in Technical Memorandum 16, Reservoir Level Assessment) as determined for 2024 (Table 3.5-3). Table 3.5-2. Bucks Lake water surface elevation and corresponding water surface area on survey dates. Monitoring Date and Time Water surface Elevation (above mean sea level)a Water Surface Area (acres) Total no. of Observed Watercraft Watercraft Density (acres/watercraft) June 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. 5151.93 feet 1,787 65 27 July 20, 2024, 2:42 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. 5148.94 feet 1,751 91 19 August 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 1:49 p.m. 5146.98 feet 1,728 23 75 Average 1,755 60 29 a PG&E datum. Table 3.5-3. Average monthly Bucks Lake elevation for water year types. Month All Water Years Critically Dry Dry Normal Wet May 5,143.93 5,137.05 5,141.83 5,146.26 5,146.95 June 5,149.68 5,140.36 5,146.34 5,152.71 5,154.19 July 5,148.56 5,140.02 5,144.23 5,151.85 5,152.98 August 5,146.04 5,137.16 5,138.80 5,146.52 5,146.92 September 5,138.02 5,133.38 5,134.25 5,140.89 5,140.26 Source: See Table 1 and Table 4 in Technical Memorandum 16, Reservoir Level Assessment. The monthly average watercraft density ranged from 19 to 75 acres per watercraft. The Licensees calculated an overall average of 29 acres per watercraft based on the overall average of 60 observed watercraft and an average water surface area of 1,755 acres over the three monitoring days. The highest observed density in July—19 acres per watercraft—was about the same as the highest density of the safe boating density standard of 20 to 50 acres per watercraft for Bucks Lake, as reported in Technical Memorandum 28, Reservoir Shoreline and Water Surface Use Assessment (PG&E and CSC 2016). The watercraft densities observed in June (27 acres per watercraft), Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 3-31 Section 3.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara August (75 acres per watercraft), and overall (60 acres per watercraft) are all within the range of the safe boat density standard of 20 to 50 acres per watercraft. The Licensees analyzed survey responses about conflicts and perceived crowding from visitors who were surveyed at Sandy Point and Haskins Valley on the same days that watercraft observations were conducted. Visitors provided a numbered rating from 1 to 9 for three separate statements to indicate the degree to which they agreed (a rating of 9) or disagreed (a rating of 1) that they experienced conflicts with (1) watersport boaters (e.g., water skiing, wakeboarding); (2) personal watercraft users; and (3) anglers. Of the 27 responses, 26 visitors said they did not experience any conflicts with any of these three user groups. One visitor indicated a conflict with a wake boat that came too close to the visitor’s fishing boat, but did not identify conflicts with the other two user groups. When asked how crowded they felt during their visit in or on Bucks Lake (where 1 indicates not at all crowded and 9 indicates extremely crowded), 15 of the 27 visitors said they did not feel at all crowded (a rating of 1), and the remaining responses ranged from a rating of 2 to 9. The average response frequencies about crowding on Bucks Lake for each month were 2.6, 2.7, and 1.5 for June, July, and August, respectively, with an overall average rating of 2.2 for the monitoring period. These results indicate user conflicts are extremely rare, and watercraft users perceive a low sense of crowding on the reservoir. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 3.0 Page 3-32 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 4-1 Section 4.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 4.0 Summary 4.1 Project Campgrounds and Day Use Area Occupancy The average peak season weekend occupancy at Bucks Lake campgrounds in 2024 ranged from 47 to 71 percent with a weighted average for all three campgrounds of 56 percent. Lower Bucks Lake and Grizzly Forebay campgrounds have peak season weekend occupancy rates of 63 and 36 percent, respectively. These occupancy rates indicate that adequate capacity is available for the existing levels and that these campgrounds could also accommodate increased future use. Similarly, average peak season weekend occupancies at Project day use areas show the facilities have adequate capacity for existing and increased future use. 4.2 Sandy Point Boat Launch Use The Licensees’ observations and visitor survey responses did not identify problems with congestion or wait times to launch and retrieve boats at Sandy Point Boat Launch. The single lane ramp appears to adequately accommodate the level of use. 4.3 Visitor Survey Responses As shown by the number of positive responses to the survey questions, most visitors had positive experiences at the Project and were able to participate in all of the activities they had planned. They did not feel crowded, and few experienced conflicts with other users. Although visitors were, in general, pleased with their visit, some visitors identified the need to improve facility maintenance, provide new facilities, and make improvements to provide access for persons with disabilities. In addition, visitors also identified problems with making campsite reservations and requested PG&E honor interagency entrance passes for campground fees (e.g., Golden Age Passport). Some responses specifically mentioned the lack of potable water at Mill Creek Campground. Although a potable water system serves the campground, water testing in 2024 indicated potential contamination from failing water system components (e.g., storage tank, underground lines). Consequently, Mill Creek visitors obtained potable water at Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area. To restore potable water availability, PG&E proposes to rebuild Mill Creek Campground and replace the water system in 2026, which is a year earlier than specified in the Plan. 4.4 Watercraft Use on Bucks Lake The Licensees’ observations and the visitor survey responses did not identify crowding or watercraft density concerns on Bucks Lake. Responses to the visitor survey question about crowding on Bucks Lake on the days when the Licensees conducted on-water observations indicate user conflicts are extremely rare and watercraft users perceive a low sense of crowding on the reservoir. The watercraft densities observed in June (27 acres per watercraft), August (75 acres per watercraft), and overall (60 acres per watercraft) are all within the range of the safe boat density standard of 20 to 50 acres per watercraft. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 4.0 Page 4-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page 5-1 Section 5.0 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 5.0 References PG&E and CSC (Pacific Gas and Electric Company and City of Santa Clara). 2019. Recreation Management Plan, Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 (Accession no. 20191003-5160). Dated October 2019, approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and incorporated into License Article 401(a), June 16, 2022. PG&E and CSC. 2016. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619, Final License Application, December 2016. Technical memoranda Contained in Volume III, Parts F1 and F2 (Accession Nos. 20161212-5232(31820172) and 20161212- 5232(31820174). Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Section 5.0 Page 5-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara APPENDIX A RECREATION MONITORING METHODOLOGY AT PROJECT RECREATION FACILITIES Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-1 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara BUCKS CREEK HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (FERC NO. 619) RECREATION MONITORING METHODOLOGY AT PROJECT RECREATION FACILITIES Final November 2023 INTRODUCTION The license for the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 619; Project) requires periodic recreation monitoring on a cycle of once every 6 or 12 years. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company and CSC’s (Licensees’) monitoring program is designed to collect data to (1) provide annual Project campground occupancy data to the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) and (2) present recreation monitoring results every 6 years in a Report on Recreation Resources. Data collection for the first 12-year monitoring cycle will be completed in 2024. This document describes the methodology for collecting the following data for inclusion in the recreation monitoring report: •Campground occupancy data, annually collected and provided to the Forest Service; annual occupancy data are also included in the 6-year recreation monitoring report; •Day use area occupancy data collected and reported once every 6 years; •Social monitoring (i.e., visitor survey) data collected and reported once every 12 years; and •Bucks Lake water surface use data collected and reported once every 6 years METHODOLOGY Campground Occupancy Hosts or onsite managers will record the number of campsites that are visually occupied each evening, generally between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., at the following Project campgrounds: •Haskins Valley Campground •Hutchins Group Campground •Lower Bucks Lake Campground •Mill Creek Campground •Sundew Campground Daily occupancy at these sites will be reported for weekdays (Sunday through Thursday), non- holiday weekends (Friday and Saturday), and holiday weekends and tabulated to report daily, annual, peak season and non-peak season occupancy. 5 The Licensees plan to conduct observations 5 Weekday is defined as Sunday through Thursday; non-holiday weekend is defined as Friday and Saturday. Peak season is defined as Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend; non-peak season is defined as May 15 through Friday of Memorial Day weekend and Tuesday after Labor Day to September 30. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara between May 15 and September 30 at each facility, but this monitoring period is subject to change due to weather (i.e., snow) or unexpected conditions (e.g., wildland-fire closure). Consequently, occupancy data for each campground will be collected only when it is accessible by vehicle, open for public use and under active operation and maintenance. Occupancy data for Grizzly Forebay Campground, which does not have a host or onsite manager, will be collected between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on the following stratified sampling schedule: •2 weekdays (Monday through Thursday) in June, July, and August; •2 non-holiday Saturdays in June, July, and August; •1 non-holiday weekday (Monday through Thursday) in May and September; •1 non-holiday Saturday in May and September; and •2 of the 3 Saturdays of peak season holiday weekends (Memorial Day [May 25, 2024], Independence Day [July 6, 2024], or Labor Day [August 31, 2024]). Daily occupancy at Grizzly Forebay Campground will be reported for sampled weekdays (Sunday through Thursday), non-holiday weekends (Friday and Saturday), and holiday weekends and tabulated to report daily, annual, peak season and non-peak season occupancy. The Licensees plan to conduct observations between May 15 and September 30 at Grizzly Forebay Campground, but this monitoring period is subject to change due to weather (i.e., snow) or unexpected conditions (i.e., wildland-fire closure). Consequently, occupancy data for each campground will only be collected when it is accessible by vehicle, open for public use and under active operation and maintenance. Occupancy observations will be recorded using electronic tablets and the data will be uploaded for tabulation at the end of each monitoring day for quality control/quality assurance review. The Licensees will also report other occupancy-related information such as reservation system records for facilities with reservable campsites and first-come/first-served records for campgrounds that do not have reservable campsites. Day Use Area Occupancy The Licensees will conduct visual observations at the following Project day use areas (parking areas, picnic sites, and boat launch) to record occupancy. Project Recreation Day Use Area Monitored Site Component(s) Haskins Valley Boat Launch Parking area Indian Rock Day Use Area Picnic tables, parking area Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area Picnic tables, parking area, number of trailered watercraft launched and retrieved West End Cove Day Use Area Picnic tables, parking area Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area Parking area Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area Parking area Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-3 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Project Recreation Day Use Area Monitored Site Component(s) Three Lakes Trailhead Parking area Parking area and picnic table occupancy data will be recorded as the number of occupied spaces observed at-one-time. The Licensees will record the total number of observed launched and retrieved watercraft at Sandy Point Boat Launch from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the monitored day. Occupancy data will be collected between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the following stratified sampling schedule: •2 weekdays (Monday through Thursday) in June, July, and August; •2 non-holiday Saturdays in June, July, and August; •1 non-holiday weekday (Monday through Thursday) in May and September; •1 non-holiday Saturday in May and September; and •2 of the 3 Saturdays of peak season holiday weekends (Memorial Day [May 25, 2024], Independence Day [July 6, 2024], or Labor Day [August 31, 2024]). Daily occupancy at the Project day use areas will be reported for weekdays (Sunday through Thursday), non-holiday weekends (Friday and Saturday), and holiday weekends and tabulated to report daily, annual, peak season and non-peak season occupancy. The Licensees plan to conduct observational monitoring between May 15 and September 30, but this monitoring period is subject to change due to weather (i.e., snow) or unexpected conditions (i.e., wildland-fire closure). Consequently, occupancy data for each day use area will only be collected when a facility is accessible by vehicle, open for public use, and under active operation and maintenance. Occupancy observations will be recorded using electronic tablets, and the data will be uploaded for tabulation at the end of each monitoring day for quality control/quality assurance review. Social Monitoring The Licensees will conduct social monitoring using in-person visitor surveys at the Project recreation facilities to report information about (1) visitors’ satisfaction with Project recreation facilities, opportunities, and management; (2) perceived crowding of Project land and water surface areas; and (3) conflicts between user groups. The Licensees will prepare a short, focused questionnaire to collect basic information from visitors at all Project recreation facilities. The questionnaire will be designed to collect information similar to that collected during the 2015 relicensing study for recreation resources (Technical Memo 31, Recreation Questionnaires [RR- S1], Attachment A, Survey Instruments [PG&E and CSC 2016]). The questionnaire will be used to collect information about visitors’ (1) recreation activity participation and preferences, (2) zip code, (3) group size, (4) user conflicts, (5) perceived crowding, (6) accessibility, and (7) satisfaction with recreation facilities. The questionnaire also Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-4 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara includes questions about Bucks Lake water surface and wait time to launch at Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area and Haskins Valley Boat Launch. Attachment A contains the set of questions included in the visitor questionnaires that will be conducted at Project recreation facilities as described in Section 5.2, Social Monitoring, in the Bucks Creek Project Recreation Management Plan (Plan) (PG&E and CSC 2019). The questionnaire will be designed to collect recreation data that are similar to the recreation data collected in 2015 (Study RR-S1, Recreation Questionnaires) for the license application. The Licensees will use a stratified sampling scheme to collect approximately 378 questionnaire responses. The sampling scheme is based on visitor use estimates prepared in 2015 for each facility and allocates the total number of questionnaires for each facility during peak and non-peak seasons among weekdays (Sunday through Thursday), non-holiday weekends (Friday and Saturday), and holiday weekends (Saturday). Attachment B displays the sampling approach for collecting questionnaire responses at each facility by season and type of monitoring day. This approach assumes all facilities will be open and available for public use during the monitoring period. However, if a facility were to be partially or completely closed or vehicular access were prevented for some unanticipated reason, the associated number of target questionnaires with any such facility will not be reallocated among the remaining open and available facilities. In this case, the Licensees will conduct fewer than the total target of 378 visitor questionnaires. The Licensees will randomly contact visitors at each facility between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to collect questionnaire responses. Within this schedule, Sandy Point Boat Launch has a narrower survey window from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visitors will be screened to determine whether they are willing to participate in the survey, and if so, before conducting the survey, Licensee staff will confirm the person is at least 18 years old and has not been previously surveyed. The Licensees will report the number of visitors who refused to participate in the survey. Visitor responses will be collected using electronic tablets, and the data will be uploaded for tabulation at the end of each monitoring day quality control/quality assurance review. Bucks Lake Water Surface Monitoring The Licensees will conduct direct observations of watercraft use on Bucks Lake on one non- holiday Saturday per month in June, July, and August between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Watercraft use data will be recorded by type of active watercraft (Table 1) observed at-one-time in each of the water zones shown in Figure 1 and the associated type of activity (e.g., fishing). The Licensees will report the water surface elevation and corresponding water surface area on monitoring days using Bucks Lake Stage-Storage-Area Curves (PG&E and CSC 2016). Water surface monitoring will also report tabulated visitor questionnaire responses (see Social Monitoring section) about perceived crowding and user conflicts on Bucks Lake water surface from surveys collected at Sandy Point and Haskins Valley Boat Launches on the same days when direct water surface observations are conducted. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-5 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 1. Bucks Lake Water Surface Data Collection Table Type (# of Watercraft) Activity Date Time (11:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.) Comments A B C D Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-6 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 1. Bucks Lake water surface areas for monitoring REFERENCES PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) and City of Santa Clara. 2016. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619, Final License Application, December 2016. Technical Memos Contained in Volume III, Parts F1 and F2 (Accession nos. 20161212-5232(31820172) and 20161212-5232(31820174). PG&E and City of Santa Clara. 2019. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619, Recreation Management Plan. October 2019. (Accession no. 20191003-5160). Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-7 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT A QUESTIONNAIRE CONTENT FOR 2024 SOCIAL MONITORING Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-8 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-9 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This document provides the set of questions that will be included in the questionnaires for visitor monitoring that will be conducted at Project recreation facilities as identified in Section 5.2, Social Monitoring, of the Bucks Creek Project Recreation Management Plan (Plan) (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019). The social monitoring questionnaire is designed to collect recreation data that are similar to recreation data collected in 2015 (Study RR-S1, Recreation Questionnaires) for the license application. The results of this relicensing study are reported in Technical Memo 31, Recreation Questionnaires, July 2016. As specified in the Plan, the questionnaire content is designed to collect information about (1)visitors’ satisfaction with Project recreation facilities, opportunities, and management; (2)perceived crowding of Project land and water surface areas; and (3) conflicts between user groups. To collect information relevant to the site and conditions where the questionnaire is administered, the questionnaires for each location will be tailored to contain only the appropriate questions from this comprehensive set of questions. For example, questions about the level of Bucks Lake will not be included in questionnaires for Grizzly Forebay. The order of the questions will not necessarily follow the order presented in this document. To assist visitors’ orientation, the maps that staff will have available when administering the questionnaires are included at the end of the document. SITE INFORMATION [included in all questionnaires] Location [developed site name] Date and time General weather conditions Staff name INTRODUCTION [included in all questionnaires] Pacific Gas and Electric Company is studying recreation use of the area in the vicinity of Bucks Lake. We are particularly interested in the reservoir/site you are currently visiting (see Figure 1). SCREENING [included in all questionnaires] 1.Have you already participated in a recreation survey here this year? Yes [stop and enter as an attempt] No [continue] 2. Are you at least 18 years old? Yes [continue] No [stop and enter as an attempt] Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-10 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3. Are you willing to take a few minutes to answer a few questions related to your recreation experience? Yes [continue] No [enter reason for refusal] GENERAL INFORMATION [included in all questionnaires] 1.What is your home zip code? [enter zip code] 2. How many people are in your party? [enter number] RECREATION ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION AND PREFERENCES [included in all questionnaires] 1.Which of the following activities will you participate in during this trip? (circle as many as apply) Angling Shoreline Boat Motorized boating (e.g., firewood, mushrooms) Picnicking Non-motorized boating Recreational panning for gold Camping RV Tent Trailer Bicycling/Mountain Biking Viewing scenery Swimming OHV Use Photography Watersports (e.g., waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing) Trail use/Hiking Day hiking Backpacking Viewing interpretive displays Personal watercraft use Hunting Scenic driving Standup paddleboard Observing wildlife Other (Fill-in) ______________ 2.Of the activities you identified, which of these activities is your primary recreation activity during this trip? [enter primary recreation activity] Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-11 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara BUCKS LAKE RESERVOIR WATER LEVEL [included in questionnaires conducted at Bucks Lake locations ] 1.Did the water level of Bucks Lake constrain your ability to participate in all of your planned activities? Yes, reservoir was too high Yes, reservoir was too low No NA [did not recreate at Bucks Lake] 2.What kind of boat did you use today on Bucks Lake? High horsepower motorboat (e.g., suitable for watersports) Personal watercraft (e.g., Sea-Doo) Low horsepower motorboat (e.g., small fishing boat) Pontoon boat Non-motorized watercraft (e.g., kayak, canoe, paddle board, sailboat) Other [list] NA [did not use a boat] 3.Were there any specific areas on the reservoir where you wanted to take your boat today on Bucks Lake but something prevented you from using these areas? Yes [note and list how affected] No [note and continue] NA [did not use a boat at Bucks Lake] 4. How satisfied are you with the water level of Bucks Lake today? 5—Very satisfied 4—Somewhat satisfied 3—Neutral 2—Somewhat unsatisfied 1—Very unsatisfied NA [did not recreate at Bucks Lake] Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-12 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara LAUNCH WAIT TIME [include only on questionnaire conducted at Sandy Point and Haskins Valley Boat Launches] 1. Approximately how long did you have to wait to launch or retrieve your boat? Record number of minutes Did not have to wait NA [did not launch a boat at Sandy Point or Haskins Valley] ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS [included in all questionnaires] 1.Did anyone in your group experience difficulties, due to any disability, in their use of the recreation facilities during this trip? Yes [note and list reason] No [note and continue] 2. Do you have any suggestions that could improve recreational access for persons with disabilities at any of the recreation facilities at Bucks Lake, Lower Bucks Lake, Grizzly Forebay, or Three Lakes? Yes [note and list reason and any suggested improvements] No [note and continue] PERCEIVED CROWDING 1.How crowded did you feel today during your visit in or on Bucks Lake? [include on all questionnaires at Bucks Lake] Note response or indicate NA (did not recreate on Bucks Lake) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Not at all Slightly Moderately Extremely crowded crowded crowded crowded 2.How crowded did you feel today during your visit in or on Lower Bucks Lake? [include on all questionnaires at Lower Bucks Lake] Note response or indicate NA (did not recreate on Lower Bucks Lake) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Not at all Slightly Moderately Extremely crowded crowded crowded crowded Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-13 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 3.How crowded did you feel today during your visit in or on Grizzly Forebay? [include on all questionnaires at Grizzly Forebay] Note response or indicate NA (did not recreate on Grizzly Forebay) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Not at all Slightly Moderately Extremely crowded crowded crowded crowded 4.How crowded did you feel today during your visit in or on Three Lakes? [include on all questionnaires at Three Lakes] Note response or indicate NA (did not recreate on Three Lakes) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Not at all Slightly Moderately Extremely crowded crowded crowded crowded 5.How crowded did you feel today at this facility? [include on all questionnaires] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Not at all Slightly Moderately Extremely crowded crowded crowded crowded SATISFACTION WITH FACILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND USER CONFLICTS [included in all questionnaires] On a scale of 1 to 9 where 1 indicates strong disagreement and 9 indicates strong agreement, please rank the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. If the statement is not applicable to your visit, please respond NA. [Record verbatim statements about conflict/problem for statements receiving rankings 1 to 3 or 7 to 9, as appropriate to the statement.] I experienced conflicts with watersport boaters (e.g., waterskiing, wakeboarding). I experienced conflicts with personal watercraft users. I experienced conflicts with fishermen. I experienced disruptive behavior by other visitors. The campground facilities are well maintained and in good general condition. The day use areas are well maintained and in good general condition. The Sandy Point Boat Launch is well maintained and in good general condition. The Haskins Valley Boat Launch is well maintained and in good general condition. I felt safe while recreating today. There was available parking when I arrived. There were available campsites when I arrived. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-14 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara OTHER COMMENTS [included in all questionnaires] 1.Is there any additional information you would like to provide about the Bucks Creek Project or the general area? Yes [note and list] No [note and conclude] Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-15 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT B SAMPLING APPROACH FOR 2024 SOCIAL MONITORING Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-16 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page A-17 Appendix A Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Visitor Questionnaire Sampling Approach, 2024 Social Monitoring Note: 378 surveys for 95 percent and +/–5 percent confidence interval Notes: JJA = June, July, August MS = May, September Some totals may not sum because of rounding. Est. Annual Rec- Days % of Annual use No. of surveys Weekday/ JJA # surveys per day Weekend /JJA # surveys per day Weekday/ MS # surveys per day Weekend/ MS # surveys per day Holiday # surveys per day Project Recreation Site TM-30/FLA 33%33%11%11%11% Mill Creek Campground 5553 9% 35 12 2 12 2 4 2 4 2 4 2 Haskins Valley Campground 17245 29% 109 36 6 36 6 12 6 12 6 13 7 Sundew Campground 9137 15% 58 19 3 19 3 6 3 6 3 7 4 Lower Bucks Lake Campground 2642 4% 17 5 1 5 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 Grizzly Forebay Campground 534 1%3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Hutchins Group Campground 4708 8% 30 10 2 10 2 3 2 3 2 4 2 Sandy Point Day Use and Boat Launch 9845 16% 62 20 3 20 3 7 3 7 3 8 4 Indi an Rocks Day Use Area 4141 7% 26 9 1 9 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 West End Cove Day Use Area 2649 4% 17 6 1 6 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area 1305 2%8 3 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 Three Lakes Trailhead 403 1%3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area 1888 3% 12 4 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 Total 60050 100% 378 125 125 42 42 47 No. of survey days % of all survey dates 2 Weekdays/mo.-June-August 6 33% 1 Weekday/mo.-May & Sept 2 11% 2 non-holiday Sat/mo.-June-Aug 6 33% 1 non-holiday Sat/mo-May & Sept 2 11% 2 holiday Sat 2 11% Total survey days 18 100% Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Appendix A Page A-18 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Appendix B Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara APPENDIX B CONSULTATION WITH PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Attachment B November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page B-1 Attachment B Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Consultation emails between Forest Service and PG&E staff about the 2024 Monitoring Methodology and Forest Service review comments (shown in track changes on p.2 of the draft methodology. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Recreation Monitoring Report, 2024 Attachment B Page B-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara APPENDIX C CODED RESPONSES TO OPEN-ENDED SURVEY QUESTION Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-1 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara The following tables categorize the visitor responses to the open-ended question: “Is there any additional information you would like to provide about the Bucks Creek Project or the general area?” Responses are presented in 11 categories for each facility where the survey was conducted: 1. General positive comment 2. New or improved facilities 3. Facility maintenance or management 4. Improve signage or visitor information 5. Road or trail condition 6. Reservations, website or passes 7. Cellular service or internet access 8. Reservoir level 9. Fish or angling 10. Like it as is 11. Other Table C-1. Coded Response Comment 1: General positive comment. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground Their little kid said he loves it and they love the campsite. Nope, they love this place Thank you from them. They love this lake Nice place Have been coming here for many years and like that it hasn’t changed much. Always camp in site 3, They’ve been having a very pleasant trip Mill Creek is their favorite spot They've been really enjoying their stay and plan to come back This is their second time here and they love it Haskins Valley Campground No suggestions, always had a great time. This family has been coming to this location for decades No, this is their second time visiting and they’re enjoying it No she is really happy with the facilities Everything is good, love it been coming for years. They love the hosts and sites. Visited 4 years in a row and have enjoyed each time. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-2 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Haskins Valley Campground (continued) They enjoy it a lot Very impressed and will definitely be back. Very happy it's not crowded right now. He did not actually go on a boat, his wife is out fishing and boating Love it here, been coming for 5 years. They like it and have come here for years and plan to keep coming. This group had just arrived and had a boat but had not used it yet Really like it here, have been coming for years. They just arrived and plan on renting a boat but have not had the chance to yet. Long time visitors, enjoying the campground, no additional comment. Had a good trip, enjoyed the water. Love it here and have been coming for 30 years. They reserved their campsite. They are satisfied and will come back. First time here, loved it. Glad they were able to find a campsite after fire evacuates, love the area. Coming for many generations, always favorite camping trip of the year.. We love Bucks Lake Love it, been coming all my life. Fires weren’t allowed the previous day (August 2nd 2024), so wasn’t happy with that. They love coming here and have been coming for a while. Enjoyed their time, staying an extra day. First time here and really enjoyed it. Happy they came this year because bears were abundant last summer but not this summer. It’d be nice to know where hot beverages are in the cold mornings. First time here, really like it. Bathrooms smelled nice, appreciate the hosts. First time here and will come again Nice camp hosts, bathrooms are super clean. Camp host made a round at 9:30 to quiet campground down in evening. Love being here, large spot for trailer. Very beautiful here Wonderful area to visit She said it's awesome to have this place maintained and in good condition. She has a cabin in the Haskins area and comes here frequently. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-3 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Sundew Campground Been visiting since she was a kid and loves the lake and facilities He loves it up here. He’s an elderly man who has been coming here since he was 10. He likes the way things are up here and enjoys the hidden remoteness. Loves the boat-in campsites. No, they’ve enjoyed it here They love it here, and prefer Sundew to Mill Creek where they’ve camped before They love it here and have been coming for 24 years Everything has been awesome Just keep up the good work! Lower Bucks Lake Campground This is the first time they’re camping here and they love it. They’ve been enjoying their experience They love coming every year with their dog to relax, PG&E has done a good job clearing trees that were dangerous It's been great Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area Said it was beautiful and clean and planning on coming with the rest of their family soon Love it here and come every summer They really enjoy this area and had helpful neighbors that gave them firewood. This is their first time visiting and they think the facilities and lakeviews are amazing. He loves it here! This is his favorite place on earth This is a sacred place to them. This couple got married here at Indian Rock Very happy to be out here Love coming here Love it here. Used jet skis and planning on taking a fishing boat from marina Thursday It's awesome Been coming here for decades and love all the improvements that have been made at Sandy Point day use over years. No, they are happy with how things are. They love it here Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-4 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Sundew Campground (continued) They are enjoying their time here Nope, they enjoy it here They love this place and think the facilities are incredible He loves it here and appreciates SWS and PG&E collecting this information Ideally you can launch two boats from the boat launch. Fees are not bad, beautiful area, great hosts Indian Rock Day Use Area Very clean and welcoming. They said they love Bucks Lake. They did say how they don’t see how the area would be accessible to people with disabilities but could not think of suggestions. Enjoy coming here, used to live close but like to keep coming. They’ve been coming here for 35 years and love it, they have a cabin in the area. They want it to stay open on Labor Day weekend - Tuesday or so. She really appreciates the restrooms at the facility. Enjoying their day. Been coming for years, water is clear, love the area. They love it here! West End Cove Day Use Area Good environment with shade, good picnic table placement. “Keep up the good work” Really great area and enjoy coming back here. Very clean Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area We love this place! It’s our happy place. No, they love it here. They work at the youth summer camp here and their activities encompassed what the ~30 campers were participating in this trip. He visits about 15 times each year. Activities: angling (both), biking, camping (all 3), day hiking They absolutely love it here Happy Lower Bucks is now open after being closed for a while due to forest maintenance Thank you to Stillwater sciences for conducting holiday surveys. It's a good area. They love it, would want to come camp in the snow if it was open in the winter. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-5 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-2. Coded Response Comment 2: New or improved facilities. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground Also mentioned accessibility for large RVs is limited. More robust parking options would be nice to avoid mid season crowding. Haskins Valley Campground Bigger overflow in Haskins parking near ramp, pave ramp because it’s rough. They love this spot because it’s the only spot they camp out. Have come here for years. Add more Haskins launch parking. Need more Lower Bucks campsites. Need more parking for non launch parking, mosquitos bad right now. Nice place. Did not like that they took away day use parking at Haskins boat launch. Complaints about little to no ADA compliances (ex. Shower access at campsite, power at campsite, handicap parking at campsite as well as boat launch). Some of the campsites have funky layouts where the parking space is awkwardly positioned. We reserve campsites 6 months ahead of time. Please add showers here and they've come for decades and love it. Even when these camp sites are full they do not feel too crowded because there is lots of space between them. Liked the clean bathrooms and bars inside. Would like potable water closer to campsites. Have power, have a usable toilet. Showers at the campground. Add some showers. Update the picnic tables (sand down or paint) to prevent splinters. Allow campfires. Showers would be nice here. Sundew Campground Add showers at the campsite. First time here and really enjoy the campfire. Sinks to wash your hands. More fresh water for access. More showers across campsites, garbage cans at Indian Rock day use area. More beach access trails to the water would be nice. Rock hazards on the beach, may need clearing. Would be nice to have more campsites at this facility. Activities: angling (both), camping (all 3), day hiking, observe wildlife, PWC, photography, picnicking It would be nice if firewood was available for purchase. Also a recycle bin would be grea.t Flush toilets please, fresh water spigot please. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-6 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Lower Bucks Lake Campground Lower Bucks has lots of room for campsite development. A place to stow away valuables near shore would be nice. Water access is an issue here. More bathrooms especially at this site. Better bathroom access & gravel or paved roads to avoid kicking up dust near campsites. Anglers in the area will walk through campsite: not too much of a complaint, but would prefer additional paths. Grizzly Forebay Campground It would be nice to have ADA compliant campground close to parking lot area. They enjoy that this campground is free and would like to keep it that way. Wood piles are encroaching on campsites. Piles are in tent area. Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area It would be nice to have more designated trails throughout the day use area. Consider raking some of the pine needles, pine cones and debris to make walking access easier. They’ve been coming here for years and call it their second home. Have been to Haskins, didn’t like their boat launch and have avoided it. Really enjoy Sandy Point boat launch. Only complaint about other visitors is dogs and not picking up dog poop. Ability to rent boats at Sandy Point would be cool. Parking lot could be widened; wants more designated day use spots/campsites by the water. Mill Creek could be expanded. Indian Rock Day Use Area Please add bear boxes and more trash cans because people litter a lot, her inflatable kayak got a hole from an underwater tree, saw someone leave their fire going when they went to bed and it concerned her (Bucks RV camp). More picnic tables closer to rocks. Trash receptacles because people don’t always pack out trash. The trail down to Indian Rock needs to be wider beside stairs for wagons/coolers. More full hookups or more electricity hookups for campsites. Ramp or easier access down, one of the gravel slopes is very steep. Very beautiful area. Bear proof trash cans. The interpretive sign is good. West End Cove Day Use Area Providing bear proof trash cans would limit the amount of litter on the ground. Said to not tell anyone about Bucks because too many people come. Trash cans at day use areas so less littering Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-7 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area More development, more campsites in Lower Bucks. Did not like cars parking near water. Fifth wheeler can’t fit in any campsites so should make some much bigger sites, create campsites across from Haskins. More parking at Sandy Point, there is a sand lot that could be parking spaces. Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area More designated signage and stairs/pathways. A dumpster at Grizzly Forebay recreation would be nice. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-8 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-3. Coded Response Comment 3: Facility Maintenance or management. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground Bathrooms not opened, looks like effected by 2021 fires but should be open now. Water got shut down so better upkeep. Porto-potties are full to the brim with waste Faucets broken for 10+ years, now bags over them. Bathroom not fixed since fire. Stumps not cut flat so not very useable for cooking and such. ADA site often sits open even when campground is full. Wants to talk to PG&E bathrooms haven’t been repaired which is disappointing Better maintenance of bathrooms & need running water. Josh the host is awesome, helpful, friendly. Favorite spot to camp there needs to be water and toilets - porta potty full The bathrooms are still out of order and porta potties were filled to the brim until yesterday morning. Host had to call for emergency porta pottie cleaning. No running water, they have to get water from Sandy Point. Not hosts fault. PG&E should fix BR. In need of water supply and outhouse repairs needed Running water would be great to be fixed. Nice to not have boat launch at Mill Creek anymore because it just caused too much commotion, no running water is also a downside Hot showers were not on in the afternoon, even though signage said it would be. Put coins in expecting hot water but there was only cold water. Haskins Valley Campground Light doesn’t work in bathroom, Better maintenance during the week for bathrooms, they aren’t as clean Like how clean the facilities are, have been coming for 4 years straight. Feel safe. Dead trees are well maintained. Camp hosts are nice and managing well. Camp host yelled at them because fire was too high. Clean and well maintained. Host was described as grumpy and complained about tent usage on campsite even though he had no previous issue regarding this. This upset and frustrated the camper. Maintenance for campsite Dogs off leashes was bothersome. They saw the boat launch was pretty uneven and saw others had trouble. Host was rude when checking in Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-9 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Haskins Valley Campground Camp host is incredibly patient when it comes to visitors and fire pit usage. Campground seems to be really well suited for disability accessibility Fix cement on ramp. Fix divet in boat launch Problem with camp host on previous visit. They were being rude to the campers per the interviewee. Bathrooms could be better maintained Campsite was completely cleaned from previous guest. Have enjoyed coming for years. Shelly (camp host) has been rude to them. Otherwise they have been coming here for years and enjoy their time here. They also have complaints about the prices of parking their boat trailer, the prices are too high. Change rules from dogs must be on a leash to dogs must be contained. Sundew Campground Everything is clean and wonderful. There was even firewood at their site upon arrival. Some debris in the road on way to campsite made driving a little tricky. Showers at the campsite. Sandy Point showers tend to be broken so better upkeep would be appreciated. Happy to see showers up and running. One dumpster has been overflowing for about four days. Someone dumped a mattress and tent into the dumpster. Camp host was aggressive, confronted about an issue unrelated to us. Used foul language and made them very uncomfortable. Taking pictures of license plate. Seen campground visitors left early due to treatment. Yelling about lights out at 10 pm. Fix water access. Bring showers to this campsite. better maintenance in bathrooms. Had to wait for a campsite to open up upon arrival No potable water is a problem Bathrooms have been getting dirty and full Running water would be helpful No running water is a bummer Very frustrating there is no water spigot here Repave loop and trim back bushes Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-10 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Indian Rock Day Use Area Bathrooms could be better maintained, possibly needs more frequent attention Picking up more trash than usual. Unsure if it's caused by people so maybe more trashcans that are bearproof. They found there to be some trash that a previous visitor had left in the area. Sun dew the tree branches over the sites/camp loops need to be trimmed higher (15 feet) and bushes wider for taller RVs/roof AC/new trucks concerned about scratches/damages. Had a great time but bathrooms could be cleaner Occasionally you see junk that people leave here but that’s the only time you experience conflict. Bathrooms have a bunch of flies. Otherwise they think the place is really nice. Prefers low crowds because less trash. People leave trash by outhouse, it’s a nuisance. Maybe more frequent garbage pick up, there's lots of cigarette butts and broken glass that they always pick up on their own. West End Cove Day Use Area Hidden gem, don’t tell people. Trash and recycling bins, pretty clean at this site but lots more trash at Sandy Point. Better bathroom maintenance for day use areas. Sundew - water access is an issue, Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area She was impressed by the cleanliness of the bathrooms since she’s seen them a lot worse. Loves this spot, no crowding. Sundew garbage can be overflowing and only gets taken out 2x per week. Should be more maintenance. Better enforcement of not allowing beach parking When they used the bathroom there was no toilet paper Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area More cleanup around campsites. Lots of debris and tree logs everything. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-11 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-4. Coded Response Comment 4: Improve signage or visitor information. Location Comment Haskins Valley Campground More details about dogs eating raw salmon parasites, Need better signage in campground Confusing parking signage and rules, lack of warning before ticketing. Really enjoyed the campsite overall. Would like a map about where the campsite is when reserving it - because no shade in some spots. More information about the fire policy through email/notification ahead of time. Reservation sign showed that the site up the hill was taken when it was available. Maybe be clearer about which sites are available and when. Also frustrated with lack of understanding regarding fire policy, they wanted to make campfires. Sundew Campground A campground facility map at each campground and signs regarding potable water use would be nice. Tree work and snag removal in area is much appreciated. There should be clearer information on Bucks Lake camping website about when fires are and are not allowed, and where there is running water and which places are without. They didn’t know they couldn’t have fire & no running water. Host is friendly/helpful Improve signage, maps of camp grounds posted at entrances, They love it here! It would be nice to have a sign at the entrance of Bucks Lake area stating that there is no cell service. It would help with group coordinating and navigating from far out of town. Group from Europe so area code is different/unique Lower Bucks Lake Campground Confused on how to pay for campsite and if it is cash only, directions unclear They thought it was odd that they couldn’t have fires at campsites since it’s cooler this week, and online it said it was fine. They are enjoying themselves. More signage about what type of boats/horsepower are allowed on Lower Bucks. More signage about no speeding on the dirt roads. Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area Easier communication to find hours because sites have moved and ownership has changed. Otherwise they love coming here every year. Would appreciate signage about when the generator is working for showers. Hours or days it can be used to be better advertised. Also, signage about the fire (historical points, restoration efforts, etc.) would be good to have, they would read them Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-12 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Indian Rock Day Use Area More signage to tell people about the place. Lower Bucks Lake Day Use Area More signage and access to camp sights for walking and driving. Better directions, hard to figure out where to go when no service and no wifi. Lower energy bills. The roads are good, camp sites are good, could use more signage from PG&E to share info about the dam, water releases, fires, etc. Table C-5. Coded Response Comment 5: Road or trail condition. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground Roads are not in good shape around campground area, which is a fall hazard Haskins Valley Campground The road is very narrow and hard to maneuver with a large trailer, this group had just arrived but had been here previous years too. Sundew Campground Some roads are bumpy and the speed bump at the entrance to the campsite is a bit overkill. It rattles all their gear and trailer. Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area The roads along the lake could use some maintenance (crumbling edges and potholes). Indian Rock Day Use Area The roads along the lake could use some maintenance (crumbling edges and potholes) Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-13 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-6. Coded Response Comment 6: Reservations, website, or passes. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground Would like annual passes for visitors. Senior passes would be great. Last trip near Haskins got pushed over by wake of speedboat while in kayak. Site reservations would be nice. Up until 2024 visitors could use their senior pass for all national/state parks, but they took that ability away and she isn’t happy about that because she is a senior on a budget. She hopes this site doesn’t get expanded, she likes it how it is. Camper thinks PG&E is violating law by taking federal land and increasing charges for visitors without any work being done to facilities. Not honoring senior citizen passes is another violation. His pass is honored on all other federal land but here. Not honoring the annual senior passes provided for federal lands seems greedy to her, especially when they charge $30 for campsite and there’s no running water, no bathrooms, and the Senior discount not honored anymore. They do not want reservations at Mills, they like first come first serve, The information on the Plumas National Forest website differs from the reality of the situation. Online it says reservations are accepted but not the case. This has been an issue for the last two years Make some camp sites by reservation at Mills, opening dates can be hard to find on the websites. In the beginning of the season had a camp reservation get cancelled for tree work. Love it here. Not camping today, just here for the day. Haskins Valley Campground Very disappointed about not accepting senior discount and consider adding veterans discount Wish they took the poppy pass for easier access. Recreation.pge.com checkout process is not intuitive and has not defined Haskins campground, also when booking you wait in line for 2.5 hours to book the campgrounds. This should be divided up by region/campground. Include trailer eligibility for campsite They had a spot reserved for them, but everything else was crowded. Reservations system can be adjusted in camp so spots are available if canceled, or send notification if sites become available. Awesome camp sites. Over regulation on reservations, not flexible on three day in advance reservation rule, Mill Creek should be by reservation, been coming for a long time and love it, favorite site is 13, usually quiet, rented boat at marina Reservation system glitched and kicked people out of waiting room. Frustrated with check out process. Activities: angling (both), biking, camping (all 3), forest products, gold panning, day hiking, boating (both), observing wildlife, boating (both) Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-14 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Haskins Valley Campground (continued) Reserved months ago, but can’t change site even if plans change or people can’t make it. Cancellation policy isn’t flexible because you can’t rebook or switch if miss the first night. No cell service. Wooden stumps lining the parking spots limit space. Been coming for decades, campgrounds are being kept in good condition in line with fire safety. Wish anyone using campgrounds would get day use areas for free instead of having to pay twice. Prefer first come first served system to pick site Website is difficult to navigate and understand reservation instructions. Modify campsite reservations with the host directly instead of having to travel to Quincy to log onto website to change a reservation. Improve ability to get reservations on website. If you pay to camp here you should be able to park in the lot, to make it easier for people with disabilities to walk to the water. Also frustrated with lack of understanding regarding fire policy, they wanted to make campfires. Sundew Campground PG&E website for reservations doesn’t work well, needs to be updated better. PG&E falls short on communication for private messaging on updates with emergency or project updates. Reserving campsite with just one item and leaving isn’t fair to first come first serve folks. Need clearer communications on website to reflect reality of campground. It would be good to know which sites are first come first serve, which are reserved, etc. Parks service websites need to be better coordinated and consistent across all resources. List available campsites online. Fines for those with reservations that dont show up Like Sundew not being reservations Reservation system needs improvement. Online portal is outdated. Possible reservation system for campsites. Noticed information regarding campsites online differs from the reality - one site was designated as overnight but was not the case upon arrival Love this place and wish that the reservation on sites was still available, they were disappointed the website failed to say no potable water available, had to wait for campsite to open up upon arrival, some campers had backslipped the site they wanted. Reservable sites would be great, or half reservable to reduce anxiety of coming up and there being nothing Clarity about senior pass. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-15 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Lower Bucks Lake Campground The website said Mill Creek was closed but it’s open. Doesn't like the new fee system. They’ve been coming here for 10 years and never paid, but now it’s a minimum of $25 per night with added fees for dogs and RVs, etc. This fee hike with no improvements is sad (no running water, only 1 toilet) Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area Bring back summer pass for parking. Pay with card options instead of just cash. Season pass should be available for those people without boats that want to come to day use and not launch a boat. Was glad the showers work now but curious why it took so long to get them fixed. PG&E annual passes for day use should be available, currently only allowed day pass for boaters. They were not pleased about not being able to have a fire at their campsite. Website has issues, wants to petition against it due to misinformation. Noticed other visitors reserve spots and don’t show up. Reservation system is unclear. They love coming here. Even when area is full of people it doesn’t seem crowded. They've come here for years. Indian Rock Day Use Area Hutchins group C campsites are closed but his group didn’t know that and paid for a reservation. They now need a refund. Facility is pretty inaccessible but doesn’t know how to change that. West End Cove Day Use Area more information regarding pass usage Table C-7. Coded Response Comment 7: Cellular or internet access. Location Comment Haskins Valley Campground Spot for wifi access so people can check in with fires or loved ones. Enjoyed time. Sundew Campground More areas with cell reception for emergencies. Otherwise love the area and have visited the last 5 years. She’s been coming here for over 40 years and loves it. Keeping an eye on the fire and smoke today. Cell service would help with emergencies such as fire evacuation Indian Rock Day Use Area They want cell service for fire safety. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-16 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-8. Coded Response Comment 8: Reservoir level. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground When water is released in Lower Bucks, fishing up near Mill Creek dries up. As the water gets lower, the shore angling gets worse. Past 4 years, water clarity got worse Water level is great, wouldn’t want it any lower. Haskins Valley Campground Keep water level at current level. Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area They love Bucks lake more than Lake Tahoe! It’s their favorite place. The water level is perfect right now. Liked the water level because enough beach access. Indian Rock Day Use Area Wanted to swim at Lower Bucks but did not like the low water level, makes a muddy beach Table C-9. Coded Response Comment 9: Fish or angling. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground The quality of the trout that’s stocked in the lake is low, and its probably overstocked West End Cove Day Use Area More fish in the lake for fishing, their first time here and they love it and want to camp here. Table C-10. Coded Response Comment 10: Like it as is. Location Comment Haskins Valley Campground They love this place, they’ve been coming here for 30 years and want to keep it a secret from other tourists/campers. Sundew Campground They like the way things are at the facility now - quiet and peaceful. They don’t want to see too much infrastructure out in place that would add to visitor competition. Lower Bucks Lake Campground Keep things how they are! Don’t want too much infrastructure change, preserve the magic. There were people from Oregon, Minnesota, and Central America in this group. Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area Keep things the way they are! They love it here. Thank you! Keep things as they are West End Cove Day Use Area Area sufficiently developed to accommodate visitors, no changes please. Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 November 2024 Page C-17 Attachment C Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-11. Coded Response Comment 11: Other. Location Comment Mill Creek Campground Keep it off Apple Maps to keep campsites low profile. Enjoyed site, wanted waterfront site. One problem with a camper at Sundew taking up multiple sites. Would like to see expanded campsites in the designated wilderness area PG&E just purchased. Drank some of the creek water by the campsite and didn't know if it was drinkable or not. Haskins Valley Campground Best campsite is reserved but not in use Why is there a limit of 6 people per site? Keep the old stoves and grills, prefer that styler over the new ones. Concerned about bears in the area. The group had their spot reserved. Sometimes people cut through campgrounds to bathrooms, etiquette He loves it here, it’s a great campground. His main issue is the two trees on the sides of the entrance to the loop that begins with site 14 that he believes should be cut to allow more space for an RV. Want to be able to have a campfire Cost has gone up really high. Stay open later than Sept, into October, especially because of the late start to the season. Chipmunks are terrorists. Wish they could have a campfire for their dinner and s'mores. First time here Sundew Campground Firewood access at campgrounds would be great. Logging the trees take away and an osprey bird nest that had existed for years. Logging made the campsite dirtier. Leaving early because of the wind Sandy Point Boat Launch and Day Use Area Observed little kids in kayaks and on floaties in the water with no life jackets on. This person heard the Sheriff’s boat is broken down and he hasn’t been on the water since Saturday. Need backup for safety when this happens. Dangerous for those kids Someone put out free tow chain covers made of old firehose, those all got taken and there should be more provided by PG&E because it is a good idea, people love them, and it could prevent fires from starting (stops the friction of chain) To park a motorcycle is still ten dollars when they don’t take very much space in the lot, it should be a cheaper price. He said later he would be on his brothers boat but hasn’t gone yet Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Bucks Creek Attachment C Page C-18 November 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Location Comment Indian Rock Day Use Area Quarry road has logs and people are dumping trash, owned by PG&E so please clean up and enforce. More shade would be nice. Kids really enjoyed their trip. 1 to 9 scale is confusing until state why for mid. They commented that it was really busy when they got here but it then tapered out. They also mentioned that they saw a few cigarette butts around the area which they did not like. It was a bit difficult to get their stroller down the path, but it worked. First time here, just arrived 30 minutes ago. “Drunk [explicative deleted] on their boats/paddleboards” spun around their kids while on the water. Noise levels sometimes a problem with boats/PWCs, people don’t follow pack it in pack it out well, . Have a cabin that they really enjoy staying in, generational. painted hand prints on one of the Indian rocks that should be removed Found a blue mussel on the shore that shouldn’t be here. It’s beautiful and peaceful here. They want PG&E to stop raising rates on utility bills. She dislikes the PG&E random outages because it inconveniences her when she keeps perishables in her fridge. West End Cove Day Use Area Everything around here has to be continually reevaluated. Things change quickly, like the ecology and weather, so you have to continually manage and update them. Was very worked up, made a lot of statements about how PG&E handles fires poorly. Left abruptly near beginning of survey. Grizzly Forebay Recreation Area Trees getting cut down is as bummer. Been coming for years Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024 Document Content(s) PGE20241204_619_Bucks_Recreation_Monitoring.pdf...........................1 Document Accession #: 20241204-5136 Filed Date: 12/04/2024