1 Placer County Water Agency Middle Fork American River Project (FERC No. 2079) Recreation Technical Working Group Meeting February 19, 2008

2 Proposed General Visitor Survey Protocols

3 Survey Population Estimate Survey population estimate is based on vehicle count data Survey population estimate is based on vehicle count data Vehicle count data adjusted for estimates of turnover rates Vehicle count data adjusted for estimates of turnover rates Different turnover rates for different types of sites Different turnover rates for different types of sites  1 = No or Low Turnover  2 = Moderate Turnover  4 = High Turnover Estimated total survey population for holidays, weekdays, and weekend days based upon adjusted vehicle counts and 2.8 people per vehicle Estimated total survey population for holidays, weekdays, and weekend days based upon adjusted vehicle counts and 2.8 people per vehicle

4 Sampling Design Based on the survey population, calculated required number of samples to achieve a statistically valid sample size (± 10%) for individual sites Based on the survey population, calculated required number of samples to achieve a statistically valid sample size (± 10%) for individual sites Determined number of survey days based on: Determined number of survey days based on:  The number of required samples  Average number of daily users on holidays, weekdays, and weekend days  Interception rate of 75% of potential users  Participation rate of 33%

5 Proposed Sampling Approach Proposed survey locations are organized based on use levels: Proposed survey locations are organized based on use levels:  Individual sites proposed for statistical surveys – use is high enough to support statistically valid survey effort  Grouped sites proposed for statistical surveys – when individual sites are combined, use is high enough to support statistically valid survey effort  Grouped sites proposed for qualitative surveys - when individual sites are combined, use is high enough to warrant qualitative survey effort  Sites not proposed for survey – surveys are not feasible or practical due to very low use levels

6 Proposed Sampling Approach Table 5 Table 5

7 General Protocols  Statistical sites will be sampled on weekdays, weekend days and holidays  Qualitative sites will be sampled on weekends and holidays  Sampling effort for Statistical sites is stratified by month based on use distribution – June, July, August  For each month, the number of holiday, weekend-day, and weekday sample-day are assigned  Surveys will not be conducted on Friday  Each sample-day represents two sample-blocks  Each sample-block represents a four hour sample effort

8 General Protocols  Sampling-blocks dates for each month are randomly selected for each “day-type”  Staffing load balancing only occurs within “day-type” categories  Example: A weekday sampling block can be re-assigned to another weekday but not a weekend-day  Sampling block times are systematically selected based on survey location and facility type  Surveyors will remain on site 4 hours (AM, PM, or evening) for each designated survey block  Surveyors will survey all persons encountered during the sampling block, provided they are willing to participate

9 Site-Specific Protocols  Campgrounds  Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or evening blocks (4-8) only  All Other Individual Sites  Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocks (1-5)  Grouped Sites  Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocks (1-5)  Surveyors will rove through groups of sites over a 4-hour period  Starting points within each group of sites will be randomly selected  All persons encountered at any one site will be approached and asked to participate in the survey

10 Proposed Sampling Schedule Random Schedule Random Schedule Systematic Schedule (staff load balanced) Systematic Schedule (staff load balanced)

11 Focus Groups and Flow Studies

12 Recreation Studies REC 1 – Recreation Use   Existing use data   Vehicle counts   Potential future use REC 1 - Recreation Facility Assessment   Facility condition   UDP assessment REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey   Recreation opportunities and experience   Preferences   Demand for opportunities   Angler success   Use patterns and conflicts   User demographics   Seasonality of use REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities   Recreation opportunities   Effect of WSE on recreation opportunities   Access, safety concerns and user conflicts REC 4 – Stream-based Recreation Opportunities   Existing recreation opportunities   Effect of flows on activity- specific recreation opportunities   Flow information dissemination   Public safety REC 5 – Recreation Visual Quality Assessment   VMS inventories   Existing visual conditions of Project facilities, features, and reservoirs

13 REC 4 – Stream-based Recreation Opportunities   Flow information dissemination   Existing recreation opportunities   Public safety   Effect of flows on activity-specific recreation opportunities

14 Effect of flows on activity-specific recreation opportunities   REC 2 Visitor Survey   Focus groups   Trail users at stream crossing   Angling   Whitewater boating   Flow studies   AQ 1 - Instream flow study   Whitewater boating flow study   Associated stream crossing and angling flow study

15 Focus Groups Three Focus Groups Three Focus Groups  Trail Use/Stream Crossing Focus Group  Angling Focus Group  Whitewater Boating Focus Group Utilize information to: Utilize information to:  Expand information developed through existing sources  Help define location of flow studies In consultation with TWG, develop a series of interview questions that are specific to each focus group In consultation with TWG, develop a series of interview questions that are specific to each focus group TWG participants identify focus group participants TWG participants identify focus group participants Assemble focus groups and conduct focus group sessions Assemble focus groups and conduct focus group sessions

16 Trail Users at Stream Crossing Focus Group Participants Participants  Representatives of Western States Trail Foundation  Tevis Cup event organizers  Equestrian users  Other trail users  PCWA  Resource Agency Representatives Objectives Objectives  Develop information about: Preferred stream crossing conditions Preferred stream crossing conditions Endurance event timing Endurance event timing Coordination with PCWA Coordination with PCWA Safety concerns Safety concerns

17 Angling Focus Group Participants Participants  Local fishing guides and outfitters  Local anglers  Business owners  PCWA  Resource agency specialists  Other knowledgeable persons Objectives Objectives  Develop information about: Popular fishing spots Popular fishing spots Fishing access Fishing access Safety concerns Safety concerns Flow-related issues Flow-related issues  Develop list of comparable regional fishing streams

18 Whitewater Boating Focus Group Participants Participants  PCWA  Commercial outfitters and guides  Instructional teachers  Local and regional boaters  Resource agency specialists  Other knowledgeable persons Objectives Objectives  Develop information about: Specific boating runs Specific boating runs Existing and potential uses Existing and potential uses Access conditions or constraints Access conditions or constraints Boatable flow ranges Boatable flow ranges Types of watercraft use Types of watercraft use Timing Timing

19 Focus Group Interview Implementation Timing Timing  February-March 2008: Identify Focus Group participants for each Focus Group  February-March 2008: Develop Focus Group interview questions  April-May 2008: Conduct Focus Group interviews

20 Effect of flows on activity-specific recreation opportunities   REC 2 Visitor Survey   Focus groups   Trail users at stream crossing   Angling   Whitewater boating   Flow studies   AQ 1 - Instream flow study   Whitewater boating flow study   Associated stream crossing and angling flow study

21 Recreation Flow Studies Flow studies focus on three types of users: Flow studies focus on three types of users:  Stream-crossing users  Anglers  Whitewater boaters

22 Recreation Flow Studies Objectives Assess stream crossing conditions over a range of flows at specific (preferred locations) in the peaking reach Assess stream crossing conditions over a range of flows at specific (preferred locations) in the peaking reach Assess fishing conditions over a range of flows at specific (preferred locations): Assess fishing conditions over a range of flows at specific (preferred locations):  Peaking reach  Rubicon River below Ellicotts Bridge Estimate range of flows that support angling Estimate range of flows that support angling Characterize angling fishability Characterize angling fishability Refine boatable flow ranges on following runs: Refine boatable flow ranges on following runs:  Indian Bar Rafting Access to Ruck-a-Chucky  Ruck-a-Chucky to Mammoth Bar  Mammoth Bar to Confluence  Confluence to Oregon Bar Identify boatable flow ranges for a variety of watercraft, representing a range of skills, watercraft and interests Identify boatable flow ranges for a variety of watercraft, representing a range of skills, watercraft and interests Maximum flow to be evaluated is 1,000 cfs Maximum flow to be evaluated is 1,000 cfs

23 Flow Study Implementation Timing Timing  March - April 2008: Develop Flow Study survey instruments for each assessment  March – April 2008: Evaluate water-year data to refine windows for Flow Study Implementation  April - May 2008: Select Flow Study team members for each assessment  June 2008: Orientation of study team members  July – October 2008: Implement Studies in coordination with whitewater flow studies and instream flow studies conducted as part of AQ 1 TSP

24 Proposed Study Flows