Placer County Water Agency Middle Fork American River Project (FERC No. 2079)

1. Placer County Water Agency Middle Fork American River Project (FERC No. 2079) Proposed General Visitor Survey Approach and Protocols January 29, 2008

2. Introduction • Overview of Vehicle Count Data • General Visitor Survey Approach • Sampling strategy • Survey protocols

3. Overview of Vehicle Count Data • Vehicle counts were initiated in May of 2007 and will continue through May of 2008. • Vehicle counts were conducted at developed day use areas, dispersed concentrated use areas, turnouts, and Hell Hole Reservoir area campgrounds. • USFS data was used for French Meadows Reservoir area campgrounds • Summer data was compiled and distributed to the TWG on January 15, 2007. • Summary Data • Raw Data • Average daily vehicle count totals assumes complete turnover of vehicles between sampling periods.

4. Turnover • Adjusted vehicle count data based on turnoverrates • 1 = No or Low Turnover • 2 = Moderate Turnover • 4 = High Turnover • Different turnover rates for different types of sites • Campgrounds - no turnover • Developed day use areas - varies by site, from no turnover to 4 times a day • Dispersed concentrated use areas - varies by site, from no turnover to 4 times a day

5. Turnover Table 1 – Proposed Vehicle Turnover Rate by Location

6. Use Levels Table 2 - Vehicle Count Locations Organized by Use Levels

7. Survey Population • Estimated total survey population for holidays, weekdays, and weekend days based upon adjusted vehicle counts and 2.8 people per vehicle.

8. Sampling Design • 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: • 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%

9. Sampling Design Table 3 - Number of Surveys Required to Obtain Statistical Data for Each Individual Site

10. Considerations • Is it practical to obtain statistically valid information at every individual site? • If statistically valid information cannot be obtained at individual sites, is it possible to obtain statistical valid information if related sites are grouped? • Are there individual sites or groups of sites that do not fit into either of the above categories? • Are there sites where meaningful qualitative information could be collected? • Are there sites where use is so low that the collection of meaningful qualitative information is not practical.

11. Proposed Survey Approach • 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.

12. Proposed Survey Approach Table 4 – Site Grouping and Survey Requirements for ± 10% Margin of Error

13. Proposed Survey Approach Table 5 – Proposed Sampling Effort

14. General Protocols • Statistical sites will be sampled on weekdays, weekend days and holidays • Qualitative sites will be sampled on weekends and holidays • Stratify by month based on use distribution – June, July, August • Randomly select survey dates • Systematically select survey time blocks • Surveyors will remain on site for a 4 hour block on each designated survey day • Surveyors will interview all persons encountered during the four hour block, provided they are willing to participate

15. 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 (12-4) • Grouped Sites • Surveys will be conducted during AM blocks (8-12) or PM blocks (12-4) • 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

16. Focus Groups and Flow Studies

17. Focus Groups • Focus Group concept outlined in the REC 4 – Stream-based Recreation Opportunities TSP • Three Focus Groups • Trail Use/Stream Crossing Focus Group • Angling Focus Group • Whitewater Boating Focus Group

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

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

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

21. Focus Group Process • In consultation with TWG, develop a series of interview questions that are specific to each focus group. • TWG participants identify focus group participants. • Assemble focus groups and conduct focus group sessions. • Utilize information to: • expand information developed through existing sources • help define location of flow studies

22. Recreation Flow Studies • Recreation flow studies are described in the REC 4 – Stream-based Recreation Opportunities TSP. • Flow studies focus on three types of users: • Stream-crossing Users • Anglers • Whitewater Boaters

23. Stream Crossing Flow Studies • Objectives • Assess stream crossing conditions over a range of flows at specific (preferred locations) in the peaking reach • Timing • Coordinate with studies conducted as part of AQ 1 Instream flow TSP • Coordinate with whitewater boating flow studies • TWG actions • Identify flow study participants • Determine the locations to be assessed • Develop survey instrument

24. Angler Flow Studies • Objectives • 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 • Characterize angling fishability • Timing • Coordinate with studies conducted as part of AQ 1 Instream flow TSP • Coordinate with whitewater boating flow studies • TWG actions • Identify flow study participants • Determine the locations to be assessed • Develop survey instrument

25. Whitewater Boating Flow Studies • Objectives • 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 • Maximum flow to be evaluated is 1,000 cfs. • Timing • Summer, during normal MFP operations • TWG actions • Identify participants with requisite skill levels • Develop survey instrument