Chap

Purpose and 

 

CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND NEED 


INTRODUCTION 

The Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Final Environmental Impact Statement 

(Mariposa Grove FEIS) presents and analyzes four alternatives to restore natural conditions, protect 

natural and cultural resources, and improve visitor experience and access to the Mariposa Grove of 

Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park, California (also referred to as the Mariposa Grove). A 

National Park Service (NPS) interdisciplinary team developed the Mariposa Grove FEIS in 

conjunction with park staff and leadership; American Indian tribes and groups; federal, state and 

local agencies; and substantial input and participation from park partners and the public. This plan 

addresses the required elements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 of 

the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other legal mandates that govern decisionmaking and planning in the NPS. This FEIS also fulfills the public review requirements of the 

California Environmental Quality Act. This FEIS presents a “no-action” alternative and three comprehensive alternatives for meeting the goals of the plan. The action alternatives are consistent with 

overall direction for the Mariposa Grove established in the General Management Plan (GMP) (NPS 

1980a) for Yosemite National Park. The NPS expects this plan to have a lifespan of at least 20 years. 

BACKGROUND 

In 1864, the U.S. Congress passed landmark legislation granting the 

Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees to the State 

of California (Act of June 30, 1864, 13 Stat., 325). Signed by 

President Lincoln, the statute decreed both Yosemite Valley and 

the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees to be set aside “... for public use, 

resort, and recreation; shall be inalienable for all time.” This was 

the first time Congress set aside public lands for the express 

purpose of preserving scenic and natural values. Protection of the 

Mariposa Grove was crucial at that time, as logging was ongoing in 

other giant sequoia groves in California. 

The natural distribution of the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron 

giganteum) is limited to about 75 isolated groves on the west slope 

of the Sierra Nevada of California. These groves are relicts of 

extensive forests that existed thousands of years ago (figure 1-1). 

These impressive trees are known for their massive size and 

longevity, with life spans that may reach 3,200 years (York 2011). 

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias supports about 500 mature 

giant sequoia trees. It is the largest of three giant sequoia groves 

within Yosemite National Park, containing 86 percent of the park’s 

mapped adult giant sequoias (figure 1-2), and is estimated to 

receive more than one million visitors annually. 

The Great Trees Mariposa Grove 

California, by Albert Bierstadt, 

1876 

Source: Albert Bierstadt, 1876 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-1 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Background 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

Figure 1-1 – Distribution of Giant Sequoia Groves in California 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-2 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
 

 

Background 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

Distribution of the giant sequoia trees is influenced by several factors, including surface and ground 

water (typically supplied by melting snow), topography, elevation, aspect, soil type, relative humidity, 

and temperature. Giant sequoias have extensive shallow lateral root systems that can radiate up to 

200 feet from the base of the tree. 

Fire plays an important role in giant sequoia ecology, creating canopy openings and releasing soil 

nutrients needed for seedling establishment. Fire scars on the trees within Mariposa Grove indicate 

that fires occurred at intervals of approximately 3 to 15 years within the Grove until the late 19th 

century (NPS 2011b). 

The Mariposa Grove ecosystem provides important habitat for wildlife and plants, including special 

status species such as the Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti), a federal candidate for listing under the 

Endangered Species Act; California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis); and numerous rare 

herbaceous plants, including Bolander’s woodreed (Cinna bolanderi), and Coleman’s piperia (Piperia 

colemanii). 

Figure 1-2 – Giant Sequoia Groves in Yosemite National Park 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-3 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Background 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

There is a rich cultural history in the Mariposa Grove area. Cultural 

resources in the area include pre-contact and historic-era archeological 

resources, several historic properties either listed or eligible for listing 

on the National Register of Historic Places, and American Indian 

traditional cultural resources. The Mariposa Grove Historic District 

includes all of the Mariposa Grove Road from the South Entrance to 

Wawona Point, several pedestrian and bridle trails, the Wawona Point 

overlook, and a comfort station, drinking fountains, and the Mariposa 

Grove Museum in the upper part of the Grove. The museum building 

was constructed circa 1930 near the former site of a cabin originally 

constructed in 1864 by Galen Clark, the first government-appointed 

guardian of the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees (figure 1-3). The South 

Entrance Historic District includes a comfort station, the ranger 

residence/garage, and the park entrance checking station. 

The Mariposa Grove Archeological District includes several discrete 

prehistoric and historic sites located within and near Mariposa Grove 

of Giant Sequoias. Archeological sites are fragile, non-renewable resources with important potential 

for containing information about past life ways, and represent tangible heritage resources for 

traditionally associated American Indian tribes and groups, as well as the visiting public. Other 

National Register-eligible archeological sites are present near South Entrance. The Mariposa Grove 

of Giant Sequoia and its varied flora and fauna and natural topographic prominences (e.g., Wawona 

Point), along with certain of the archeological sites, also represent traditional cultural resources of 

importance to American Indian tribes and associated groups. 

Figure 1-4 displays the project area, which encompasses the Mariposa Grove, South Entrance, and 

the surrounding area. 

Figure 1-3 – Galen Clark 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-4 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Restoration of the Maripo

Figure 1-4 – Mariposa Grove Restoration Project Area and Vicinity 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-5 

Chap
Background 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

The State of California and private entrepreneurs built trails and 

facilities in and near the Mariposa Grove as early as the 1860s. In 

the early to mid-20th century, the NPS developed more visitor 

facilities including parking lots, comfort stations, a lodge, and a 

campground. During this time, park managers attempted to 

protect the Grove from fire in various ways such as installing fire 

hydrants, removing surface fuels and downed trees, and 

extinguishing wildfires. Following this development period 

which extended into the 1970s, management practices evolved as 

understanding of the biology and ecology of giant sequoias 

improved. Subsequently in 1971, after nearly a century of fire 

suppression, prescribed fire was reintroduced to the Grove as 

resource managers recognized that vegetation composition and 

forest structure had changed, and that heavy fuel accumulation 

could threaten the long-term survival of giant sequoias. 

Growing concerns about traffic congestion and visitation impacts 

also eventually led to the decision in 1970 to prohibit private 

vehicles in the upper Mariposa Grove area and at Wawona Point. By 1980, when the Yosemite GMP 

(NPS 1980a) was issued, the NPS recognized the need to mitigate traffic congestion at South 

Entrance, reduce infrastructure and traffic within the Grove, control the intensity of visitor use, and 

reestablish a more natural fire regime in this rare ecosystem. Today, buildings and infrastructure 

present in Mariposa Grove include tour bus and visitor parking areas; a shuttle stop; a concessioneroperated gift shop; a commercial tram; the Mariposa Grove Museum; comfort stations and an 

associated septic system/leach field in the upper Grove area; several pedestrian/hiking trails; paved 

roadways; drainage control structures such as road-side ditches and culverts; a water storage, 

treatment, and distribution system that serves both Mariposa Grove and South Entrance; and 

communications equipment at Wawona Point. 

The GMP (NPS 1980a) for Yosemite National Park outlines goals and actions to protect and restore 

Mariposa Grove and to improve conditions at the nearby South Entrance. A few actions have been 

implemented, such as removal of the campground and lodge from the Grove, and more recently, 

removal of the commercial tram fueling station. However, several major actions have yet to be 

undertaken, including removing the parking lot and gift shop from the lower part of the Grove, 

improving visitor facilities, upgrading utilities, and improving access to the park and to Mariposa 

Grove through the South Entrance. 

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT 

The primary purpose of the Mariposa Grove FEIS is to restore the dynamic ecological processes that 

sustain the Mariposa Grove, increase the resiliency of the Grove to withstand emerging stressors, 

and improve the overall experience in the Grove for visitors. Comprehensive action is needed to 

ensure that the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias thrives and continues to provide inspiration and 

enjoyment for current and future generations. The NPS has completed studies to assess the potential 

impacts of infrastructure, operations, and visitor use on the condition and health of the ecosystem. 

Studies also assessed the condition of cultural resources, the condition of existing facilities and 

infrastructure, visitor access and use patterns, and traffic flow at South Entrance. Based on these 

studies, actions are needed to ensure the long-term ecological health of the Mariposa Grove and 

address the following issues: 

Figure 1-5 – Vintage promotional 

poster of Wawona Tunnel Tree 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-6 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
 

Purpose of and Need for the Project 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

	 Water availability is important for giant sequoia survival and regeneration. Roads, trails, and 

other infrastructure disrupt the natural hydrologic functioning of the Grove, reducing the 

infiltration of water into soils, and in some instances diverting water outside the Grove 

watershed. 

	 Infrastructure concentrated in the lower portion of the Grove encroaches on individual giant 

sequoias and their roots, and reduces habitat for giant sequoia propagation. This 

infrastructure includes a paved roadway, a 115-space parking lot, a commercial tram staging 

area and tram ticket booth, generators, a comfort station, and a gift shop. 

	 Ongoing pedestrian and vehicle traffic throughout the Grove damages giant sequoia bark and 

trunks, leads to soil compaction, and exposes shallow giant sequoia roots, stressing the trees 

and potentially making them less resilient and more susceptible to external threats such as 

disease, wildfire, and climate change. 

	 A deteriorated water treatment, storage, and distribution system in the upper part of the 

Grove is leaking thousands of gallons of chlorinated water per day, and may be affecting 

shallow hydrology and local vegetation. 

Current factors affecting the quality of the visitor experience include the following: 

	 Wayfinding information is insufficient to orient visitors upon arrival at the Grove and on 

trails within the Grove. 

	 Poor road conditions between the South Entrance and the lower Grove area contribute to 

seasonal closures, limit vehicle types, and are a safety concern for visitors and park 

employees. 

	 The Grove parking lot often fills early in the day, forcing temporary closures of the lot and 

Mariposa Grove Road, and causing visitor frustration as visitors are redirected to limited 

overflow parking at South Entrance or to Wawona to await a shuttle to return to the Grove. 

	 Long lines form at the South Entrance station kiosks and intersection as visitors attempt to 

get information, find parking, or turn around due to Grove parking lot and road closure. 

	 Shuttles from Wawona to the Grove are often already full when they arrive at the South 

Entrance shuttle stop, limiting boarding and increasing visitor wait times. 

	 Trails and facilities in and around the Grove need improvements to reduce grades and/or 

increase connectivity to provide better universal accessibility. 

	 Operation of the commercial tram within the Grove creates vehicle/pedestrian conflicts 

along the loop road, and intrudes on the experience of pedestrian visitors seeking to enjoy 

the majestic setting and natural soundscapes, particularly in the upper, more remote areas of 

the Grove. 

	 The vault toilets in the lower part of the Grove are inadequate and not fully accessible, and 

are the source of nuisance odors that detract from the Grove experience. 

	 The historic comfort station and the associated septic system and leach field in the upper 

Grove area should address accessibility, water-use efficiency, and maintainability goals. 

	 Historic features at Wawona Point, including the masonry overlook wall, steps, and railing, 

are in disrepair and require repair to meet current standards. 

With the exception of Alternative 1, No Action, each of the alternatives meets the project purpose 

and need of the plan to varying degrees and in different ways. All alternatives would retain the 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-7 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Purpose of and Need for the Project 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

existing visitor use levels of a typical day in the Mariposa Grove, though visitor use would 

concentrate in different areas. The daily visitor use level proposed in the Mariposa Grove FEIS 

approximates the visitor use levels established for the Mariposa Grove in the 1980 GMP for 

Yosemite National Park (3,850 visitors per day). 

GOALS PRESCRIBED IN THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR YOSEMITE 

Specific direction in the GMP for management of the Grove is outlined in Appendix A. The 

management goals identified in the GMP (NPS 1980a) for the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

include the following: 

	 Retain the Grove as the primary park location for visitor enjoyment and interpretation of 

giant sequoias 

	 Provide only those visitor facilities consistent with preservation of the giant sequoia 

ecosystem, and remove all other facilities not necessary for visitor enjoyment of the resource 

	 Upgrade facilities to eliminate resource impacts and meet current standards 

PROJECT-SPECIFIC GOALS 

Additional project-specific goals for the protection, restoration, and enjoyment of Mariposa Grove 

are summarized as follows: 

Natural Resources 

 Protect and restore giant sequoia habitat and associated wetlands 


 Protect special status wildlife and plant species 


 Protect air and water quality and natural soundscapes 


Cultural Resources 

 Protect and maintain historic buildings, structures, and cultural landscapes, including the 

giant sequoia trees 

 Protect and stabilize prehistoric and historic archeological sites 

 Sustain and interpret traditional cultural resources 

Sustainability, Durability, and Efficiency 

 Incorporate sustainable practices 


 Improve efficiency and maintainability of park infrastructure 


 Optimize constructability 


Visitor Experience 

 Improve visitor education
 

 Improve orientation and wayfinding within the Grove 


 Provide options for quality visitor access to the Grove
 

 Upgrade visitor facilities 


Public and Employee Health, Safety, and Welfare 

 Enhance universal access and design 


 Improve visitor and park/concessioner staff safety 


Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-8 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Ecological Restoration Goals and Objectives 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 

The long-term preservation of giant sequoias depends on mitigating and minimizing the adverse 

influences of human activities. In the past 40 years, managers across the Sierra Nevada have sought to 

remove infrastructure (such as the large restoration project in Giant Forest of Sequoia National 

Park) and to restore natural fire regimes and hydrologic connectivity within giant sequoia groves. 

This ecosystem approach centers on three key management goals (Piirto and Rogers 1999): 

	 Protect naturally occurring groves from human impacts (e.g., infrastructure, logging) and 

disturbances outside the natural range of variability (e.g., stand-replacing fire) 

	 Preserve the groves by promoting natural ecosystem processes and allowing them to prevail 

	 Actively restore altered ecosystem functions, particularly fire and hydrology 

The overarching goals of ecological restoration in the Mariposa Grove are to promote giant sequoia 

germination and establishment and ensure the persistence and longevity of the giant sequoia 

population. To achieve these goals, a combination of restoration actions would provide the best 

means of achieving the following ecological restoration objectives: 

	 Protect, maintain, and enhance environmental conditions and ecosystem function required 

to sustain the population of giant sequoias 

o	 Ensure germination and recruitment through frequent surface fires 

o	 Create and maintain canopy gaps to facilitate giant sequoia germination and recruitment 

o	 Conduct prescribed burning outside of the Mariposa Grove to reduce the risk of a 

catastrophic fire originating outside of the Grove 

o	 Protect individual trees and seedling habitat from structural damage caused by roads, 

trails, utilities, and visitor trampling 

	 Protect, maintain, and restore natural hydrologic functions in the Mariposa Grove of Giant 

Sequoias 

o	 Remove or modify infrastructure that impacts sheet flow hydrology 

o	 Where roads and trails remain, remove inside ditches, outslope cutbank areas, and 

repair, replace, or install culverts to facilitate surface flow 

o	 Protect and restore wetlands 

	 Restore areas impacted by the removal, alteration, or relocation of buildings or infrastructure 

to natural conditions 

	 Maintain and manage structure and composition of native vegetation within the range of 

natural variability so that the vegetation functions dynamically over a long-term time frame 

(50-100 years) 

o	 Continue prescribed burning and modify as needed to reach target forest conditions 

o	 Retain large snags for wildlife habitat 

o	 Continue invasive plant removal in and around the Grove 

By removing non-essential buildings and infrastructure; protecting the roots of giant sequoias from 

impacts of roads, trails, and foot traffic; removing impediments to natural surface and subsurface 

water flow; and restoring a more natural fire regime (augmented by prescribed fire as necessary), the 

NPS can effectively preserve, protect, and restore the rare ecosystem of the Mariposa Grove. 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-9 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Policy and Planning Context 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

POLICY AND PLANNING CONTEXT 

The NPS developed the alternatives considered in the Mariposa Grove FEIS in accordance with 

public laws, treaties, proclamations, executive orders, regulations, and directives of the Secretary of 

the Interior and the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. The NPS Organic Act, 

passed by the U.S. Congress in 1916, provides fundamental management direction for all units of the 

National Park System. The Organic Act requires that the NPS “shall promote and regulate the use of 

...national parks...by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said 

parks....which purpose is to conserve the scenery and natural and historic objects and the wildlife 

therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave 

them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Fragile ecosystems such as that of the 

giant sequoia warrant special care if the groves are to survive and thrive. 

Congress amended the Organic Act with the 1970 General Authorities Act, which affirms that all of 

the nation’s parks—whether they include natural, cultural or historic resources—are united under 

the mission, purpose and protection of the Organic Act. The 1978 Redwood National Park 

Expansion Act also amended the Organic Act, re-affirming the mandate and directing the NPS to 

manage park lands in a manner that would not degrade park values. In addition, federal management 

decisions must be consistent with national laws, including NEPA, NHPA, the Endangered Species 

Act, and the Clean Water Act. The following laws and policies are most relevant to this planning 

process. 

Federal Statutes and Executive Orders 

 National Park Service Organic Act (1916) 

 National Park Service General Authorities Act (1970) 

 National Environmental Policy Act (1969) 

 National Historic Preservation Act (1966), as amended 

 Clean Water Act (1972) 

 Clean Air Act (1970), as amended 

 Endangered Species Act (1973) 

 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) 

 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968), as amended 

 Archaeological Resources Protection Act (1979) 

 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) 

 American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) 

 Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) (1973) 

 Architectural Barriers Act (1968), as amended 

 Executive Order 11593: Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment 

 Executive Order 13007: Indian Sacred Sites 

 Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic 

Performance 

 Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards for Federal Facilities (GSA 2006) 

 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (NPS 1995) 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-10 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Policy and Planning Context 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

National Park Service Policies, Guidance, and Directors Orders 

 Management Policies 2006 (NPS 2006) 

 Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design (NPS 1993) 

 Director’s Order 12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decisionmaking (NPS 2001) 


 Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management (NPS 1998)
 

 Director’s Order 42: Accessibility for Visitors with Disabilities in National Park Service 


Programs and Services (NPS 2000a) 

 Director’s Order 77-1: Wetland Protection (NPS 2002) 

Yosemite National Park Plans 

 General Management Plan (NPS 1980a) 

 Fire Management Plan (NPS 2004a) 

 Scenic Vista Management Plan (NPS 2011) 

 A Sense of Place: Design Guidelines for Yosemite National Park (NPS 2012) 

 Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Mariposa Grove (NPS 2004b) 

 Cultural Landscapes Inventory, South Entrance Station (NPS 2004c) 

 Self Evaluation and Transition Plan, Yosemite National Park Accessibility Program (NPS 

2010a)

Laws, policies, and plans that relate to specific resources or impact topics (e.g., vegetation) are 

identified in the respective sections in Chapter 3: Affected Environment and Environmental 

Consequences. 

INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PLANS AND PROJECTS 

In addition to the complex legal framework of the Mariposa Grove FEIS, the following Yosemitespecific plans play a strong role in the planning framework. 

Concession Services Plan (1992). This plan supplements the 1980 General Management Plan for 

Yosemite National Park. Revisions to certain concession services action items of the General 

Management Plan are described, and the environmental consequences of those items are evaluated. 

The final plan reduced overall lodging, replaced lodging at Yosemite Lodge with economy cabins 

and cottages rather than motel units, retained 150 tent cabins at Curry Village (rather than 100), and 

increased food service seats, among other actions. 

Fire Management Plan (2004). This plan guides a complex fire management program, which 

oversees wildland fire suppression, wildland fire used to achieve natural and cultural resource 

benefits, fire prevention, prescribed fire, fire ecology research, and the use of mechanical methods to 

reduce and thin vegetation in and around communities. Actions prescribed in the Fire Management 

Plan will help achieve natural resource goals of the Mariposa Grove/FEIS. 

General Management Plan for Yosemite (1980). The GMP, as amended by the 1992 Concession 

Services Plan, is the overall management document for Yosemite National Park. The GMP directs 

the NPS to “Retain [the Mariposa Grove] as the primary location within the park for visitor 

enjoyment and interpretation of the giant sequoia. Provide only visitor facilities consistent with 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-11 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Policy and Planning Context 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

preservation of the unique ecosystem; remove all other facilities not necessary for visitor enjoyment 

of the resource.” The Mariposa Grove Plan FEIS is consistent with this overall GMP direction for the 

Mariposa Grove area. 

The GMP directs a number of specific actions for the Mariposa Grove. The Mariposa Grove FEIS is 

consistent with most of these specific actions and it would amend several specific actions. Actions 

that are consistent with the GMP include: accommodate the physically disabled, repair and 

reconstruct trails, remove the 150-car parking lot, convert the existing bus parking area to shuttle 

turn-around and off-season parking for the Grove, remove the gift shop, and upgrade physical 

facilities (toilets). Actions that amend the GMP are described in Appendix A. 

Draft Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan) (in 

progress). The Merced River Plan proposes transportation and transportation facility actions in 

Wawona. It also proposes public transit opportunities for visitors traveling from Fresno, California 

to Wawona and beyond. The options proposed in the Merced River Plan are integrated into planning 

for the Mariposa Grove FEIS. For example, facility and shuttle operations are being designed to 

accommodate anticipated public transit operations outlined in the Merced River Plan. 

Invasive Plant Management Plan Update (2011). This plan updates the 2008 Invasive Plant 

Management Plan to create a more comprehensive and adaptive plan for protecting Yosemite’s 

natural and cultural resources from non-native, invasive plants. 

Appendix B: Cumulative Actions describes additional plans related to the Merced River Plan/DEIS. 

ISSUES AND CONCERNS IDENTIFIED IN SCOPING 

The NPS sought to understand and consider input from the public, NPS staff, subject-matter 

experts, American Indian tribes and groups, and other federal, state, and local agencies, as part of the 

planning process for the Mariposa Grove FEIS. The NPS conducted an open process, referred to as 

“scoping,” to identify and determine the scope of issues to be addressed in the environmental 

analysis. The public scoping period for the Mariposa Grove /EIS was conducted from August 31, 

2011, through February 3, 2012. During the public scoping period, the NPS collected written 

comments and conducted public open houses (see Chapter 4, Consultation and Coordination). 

Internal scoping, including consultation with traditionally associated American Indian tribes and 

groups, other public agencies, and park staff, continued throughout the planning process. 

During the public scoping period, the park received 43 letters from 41 individuals and 2 

organizations. Analysis of these letters identified 126 discrete substantive comments, from which the 

following 15 issue statements were generated: 

	 Concern #1: Existing visitor amenities at the Grove are adversely affecting the giant sequoia 

trees. 

	 Concern #2: Continue prescribed fire; it is vital to maintaining the health of the Grove. 

	 Concern #3: Long-term sustainability of the health of the Grove ecosystem is important and 

should be considered in the management of the Grove. 

	 Concern #4: The Grove parking lot often fills to capacity, forcing temporary closures of the 

parking lot and road. 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-12 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
 

Issues and Concerns Identified in Scoping 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

	 Concern #5: The Grove parking lot and its associated noise and traffic diminish the visitor 

experience. 

	 Concern #6: Information and signage are inadequate to properly orient visitors when 


traveling to the Grove, upon arrival at the Grove, and within the Grove. 


	 Concern #7: Vehicle operation on Grove roads adversely impacts the visitor experience. 

	 Concern #8: Grove accessibility should be improved for visitors with disabilities. 

	 Concern #9: Additional recreation opportunities should be provided at the Grove. 

	 Concern #10: Protect the Grove by limiting/managing visitation. 

	 Concern #11: Road configuration, pedestrian crossings, and access at South Entrance are 

unsafe for visitors and staff. 

	 Concern #12: Inadequate parking at the Grove contributes to long shuttle rides and traffic 

congestion at South Entrance. 

	 Concern #13: Noise from vehicle traffic and commercial tram audio presentations is 


adversely affecting the Grove’s soundscape. 


	 Concern #14: The bathroom facilities are inadequate. 

	 Concern #15: The Mariposa Grove planning process is not integrated with other park 

planning efforts. 

The NPS used the public and internal scoping comments to identify issues and concerns, develop 

and refine alternatives, and evaluate potential environmental impacts. 

DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION 

The Mariposa Grove FEIS is organized as follows: 

Chapter 1, Purpose and Need – The first chapter includes a discussion of the significance of the 

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the purpose of and need for the proposed action, the 

relationship to laws and other plans, input from the consultation and public involvement process, 

and issues used to inform the plan. 

Chapter 2, Alternatives – This chapter presents the four alternatives proposed in the Mariposa 

Grove FEIS: three action alternatives and one No-Action Alternative. It also discusses alternatives 

considered but dismissed. 

Chapter 3, Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences – This chapter describes the 

existing environment that could be affected by implementation of the alternatives. It also analyzes 

the potential impacts that could result from implementation of each alternative. 

Chapter 4, Consultation, Coordination, and Preparers – This chapter summarizes the 

consultations undertaken in the preparation and review of this document, including public 

involvement, and lists the names and qualifications of the individuals who have contributed to this 

document. 

Chapter 5, Bibliography – This chapter lists the references cited in this document. 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-13 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need 
Issues and Concerns Identified in Scoping 

Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 

Appendices – The appendices are as follows: 

Appendix A: Amendments to the General Management Plan 

Appendix B: Cumulative Actions 

Appendix C: Public Comments and Responses 

Appendix D: Restoration Plan 

Appendix E: Mitigation Measures 

Appendix F: Draft Statement of Findings for Protection of Wetlands 

Appendix G: Draft Memorandum of Agreement 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-14 October 2013 

Chapter 1: Purpose and Need