Smith Lake and Mt. Elwell Trail Reroute
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2008092028
Lead Agency
Eastern Plumas Recreation District
Document Title
Smith Lake and Mt. Elwell Trail Reroute
Document Type
MND - Mitigated Negative Declaration
Received
Present Land Use
Lakes Basin Recreation Area (Management Area 35)
Document Description
The proposed project is located in the Lakes Basin Recreational Area, Plumas County, California, which is positioned in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Beckwourth Ranger District has analyzed a proposal to reroute portions of the Smith Lake and Mt. Elwell Trails. This proposed project would move the Smith Lake Trail out of the riparian area and install one or two bridge crossings at Smith Creek east of Smith Lake. Boardwalks may also be constructed to raise the trail above the wet areas. It would also move the through trail around Smith Lake (which connects to the Jamison Creek Trail) to the ridge on the north side of the lake. Access for camping and fishing at the lake would still be available using the old trail. The existing trail at the west end of lake, as it climbs out, would be decommissioned. The fisherman path along the southern shore would remain. The reroute of the Smith Lake trail would require approximately 1 mile of new construction.
The reroutes for the Mt. Elwell Trail would include the construction and realignment of about a dozen switchbacks. The grades would be reduced from 25%+ to a continuous 8-10%. There would be a few sections that would be slightly greater slope. The switchbacks will be placed to avoid "stacking" of the trail sections, which often leads to trail cutting. Brush and other obstacles will also be used to discourage hikers from leaving the established trail. The trail realignment location avoids all drainages and the cutting of live trees. Some brush work would need to be done. The reroute would include approximately 1 mile of new trail construction.
Contact Information
Name
Jennifer Lacy
Agency Name
Eastern Plumas Recreation District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
Plumas
Zip
96103
Waterways
Little Jamison Creek, Smith Creek, Gray Eagle Creek
Township
22N
Range
12E
Section
25,30
Other Location Info
Lakes Basin Recreational Area
Notice of Completion
State Review Period Start
State Review Period End
State Reviewing Agencies
Cal Fire, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, North Central Region 2 (CDFW), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, District 2 (DOT), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Redding Region 5 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Department of Water Resources, Office of Historic Preservation, Resources Agency, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
State Reviewing Agency Comments
California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
Development Types
Recreational (trail relocation, bridge construction)
Local Actions
401,404
Project Issues
Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology/Soils, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Transportation
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above.