B. RECREATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Condition No. 6 - Project Recreation Plan

Within 1 year following the date of issuance of this license and before starting any activities the Forest Service determines to be of a land-disturbing nature on National Forest System land, the Licensee shall file with the Director, Office of Hydropower Licensing, a plan approved by the Forest Service for accommodation of project-induced recreation.

The Licensee shall not commence activities the Forest Service determines to be affected by the plan until after 60 days following the filing date, unless the Director, Office of Hydropower Licensing, prescribes a different commencement schedule.

The following new construction and enhancements to existing facilities are needed for the protection and utilization of NFS lands. These improvements shall be designed and constructed to be accessible to people of all abilities.

a. The Thunderbird dispersed use area will be converted into two accessible group campgrounds. These two group campgrounds shall be integrated into the adjacent facilities of Camp 3, as outlined in the following paragraphs. Estimated cost is $84,000.

The southern portion of Thunderbird will be converted into two group campsites joined to the existing Camp 3 facility with a paved road. The two improved group campsites will meet the U.S. Forest Service definition of a "group campsite." Therefore, the sites will be gated (with a sign indicating group site by reservation only), each holding a minimum of 20 people, with three or more tables, a BBQ grill, one large fire ring, and parking for one large bus or five vehicles. At least one parking stall shall accommodate a van with adequate space for side-mounted lifts. The campsites and parking areas will have a stable, firm, and slip resistant surface with a running slope of 5 percent or less, a cross slope of 2 percent or less, and enough room for wheelchair circulation.

The accessible facilities will include tables with tops that extend past the legs by at least 19 inches at both ends with 28 inches minimum clearance between the underside of the table and the ground, and a minimum 3 foot clearance radius around the table. The cooking surfaces of grills would be 30 to 36 inches high, within comfortable horizontal reach from a wheelchair (15 inches), and have 27 inches of knee clearance below base of grill.

A path with a stabilized tread will connect the group areas. Two sets of new accessible portable toilets (each set has one male and one female toilet) will be installed between the two group camp- sites. Drinking water will be brought into the sites by way of a 700-foot extension of the existing Camp 3 main water line.

b. Should the Forest Service acquire the land where the existing whitewater rafting take out and put in facilities within the Thunderbird dispersed use area are located, the parking lot grade will be improved and made accessible, the surface reinforced with gravel, and an identifying sign installed. Estimated cost is $10,000.

c. The modification of several sites within the Hospital Flat campground to be made accessible is outlined in the following paragraphs. Estimated cost is $12,800 (site 2 - $2,600; sites 8,9, and 10 - $7,500; and site 35 - $2,700).

Site 2 will be modified to be accessible. This will include the leveling and hardening of about 70 square feet in the general use area where the table is located. An accessible BBQ/fire pit will be constructed.

Three existing dispersed campsites, Sites 8, 9, and 10, will be combined into a single accessible group campsite. The construction actions will include the grading and hardening of about 36 square feet of a partially asphalt parking area and an adjoining path. Accessible tables, BBQ, and fire pit will be installed.

Site 35 will be modified so it is accessible. This will include the addition of 36 square feet of stabilized surface to the existing parking area and a stabilized tread to the general use area. Accessible picnic tables, fire pit, and BBQ will be installed.

d. Three sites within the Fairview Campground will be modified to be accessible, and an accessible trail will be constructed as de- scribed in the following paragraphs. Estimated cost is $14,400 (sites 4 and 5 - $9,700; site 19 - 44,700).

Existing dispersed sites 4 and 5 will be combined into one group campsite. This will include widening and expansion of the roadway and parking area (four regular and two accessible stalls), the installation of an accessible group fire ring, two smaller fire rings, two group picnic tables (one must be accessible), and a BBQ. A path treated with stabilized material would be constructed from the parking area to the group area.

An accessible picnic table and BBQ will be installed at site 19, which is an existing accessible site. A 300-foot accessible trail from site 19 to the low water line of the river will be constructed. The trail will be constructed of concrete to the high water line, with a stabilized tread surface to the low water line.

e. SCE shall design a simplified, low impact portage around Fair- view Dam to permit whitewater rafters and kayakers to bypass the dam. SCE shall submit the portage design to the Forest Service for approval. The Forest Service will make the plans available for public review prior to construction. Within ninety (90) days of the Commission license becoming final and the FS decision being no longer subject to appeal. The Licensee shall enter into a collection agreement with the Forest Service requiring the Licensee to pay the Forest Service $250,000 to cover the construction costs and $50,000 to cover the reasonable operation and maintenance costs for a simplified, low impact portage around Fairview Dam. Over the license term, the Forest Service will review the need for additional operation and maintenance funds for the portage. If, at any time, the Forest Service documents that insufficient funds exist in the collection agreement to cover the reasonable portage operation and maintenance costs over the remainder of the license term, the Licensee shall provide additional funds to cover those costs upon written request by the Forest Service.

f. "River flow" refers to the instream flow above the project diversion at Fairview Dam.

On weekends, from April 1 through April 15, flows from 700 cfs to 1100 cfs will be available for boating, and the licensee can use 300 cfs for power generation. (This means that the river flow must be 1000 cfs to 1400 cfs.) The licensee can use river flows below 1000 cfs for power generation. River flows above 1400 cfs can also be used for power generation. Refer to Table 1.

On weekends, from April 16 to the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend, flows from 1100 cfs to 1400 cfs will be available for boating, and the licensee can use 300 cfs to 600 cfs for power generation, as shown in Table 2. (This means that the river flow must be 1400 cfs to 2000 cfs; increases from 1400 cfs to 2000 cfs are shared equally between boating and power generation.) The licensee can use river flows below 1400 cfs for power generation. Above 2000 cfs, the project is operating at full capacity.

Weeklong (all 7 days), from the beginning of the Memorial Day week- end through the end of the July 4th weekend, flows from 1100 cfs to 1400 cfs will be available for boating, and the licensee can use 300 cfs to 600 cfs for power generation, as shown in Table 2. (This means that the river flow must be 1400 cfs to 2000 cfs; in- creases from 1400 cfs to 2000 cfs are shared equally between boating and power generation.) The licensee can use river flows below 1400 cfs for power generation. Above 2000 cfs, the project is operating at full capacity.

On weekends, from the day after the July 4th weekend through August 15th, flows from 700 cfs to 1100 cfs will be available for boating, and the licensee can use 300 cfs for power generation. (This means that the river flow must be 1000 cfs to 1400 cfs.) The licensee can use river flows below 1000 cfs for power generation. River flows above 1400 cfs can also be used for power generation. Refer to Table 1.

Table 1. Flow Regime for the Kern River from the KR-3 Project Diversion at Fairview Dam through the Diverted Reach to the KR-3 Powerhouse

Table 2. Flow Regime for the Kern River from the KR-3 Project Diversion at Fairview Dam through the Diverted Reach to the KR-3 Powerhouse