[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 128 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41083-41084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16703]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement and Comprehensive Management 
Plan; Merced Wild and Scenic River; Yosemite National Park; Madera and 
Mariposa Counties, California; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council of 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500), the National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior has prepared a Final Environmental 
Impact Statement identifying and evaluating five alternatives for a 
Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced 
River Plan) for segments of the river within lands managed by the 
National Park Service at Yosemite National Park, California. Potential 
impacts, and appropriate mitigation measures, are assessed for each 
alternative. Responses to public comment are provided in the document.

[[Page 41084]]

When approved, the plan will guide management actions during the next 
15-20 years which are necessary to protect and enhance the 
``Outstandingly Remarkable Values'' (ORVs) for which the river was 
designated, pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1271).
    Proposal: The proposed Merced River Plan (Alternative 2--Preferred) 
would provide management direction for the Merced Wild and Scenic River 
by establishing seven management elements: ORVs, boundaries, 
classifications, Section 7 determination, River Protection Overlay 
(RPO), management zoning, and research and monitoring. The Wild and 
Scenic Rivers Act requires the first four elements; the final three 
elements were developed in the Merced River Plan to respond to the 
Act's requirement to protect and enhance ORVs. This plan modifies the 
ORVs, boundaries and classifications from the present situation to 
respond to public comment, to more accurately respond to the Wild and 
Scenic Rivers Act, and to reflect updated information. The proposed 
alternative presents the management elements to guide future decision-
making and management actions with the intent that natural processes 
will prevail.
    Alternatives: In addition to the proposal, four other alternatives 
are identified and analyzed. Alternative 1 (``no action'') is a 
continuation of the existing situation, based on the ORVs, boundaries, 
and classifications as published in the 1996 Draft Yosemite Valley 
Housing Plan/Supplemental EIS. If approved, Alternative 1 will not 
implement the three management elements--establishment of a RPO, 
management zoning, and a research and monitoring program--that are not 
required by the Act. Nor would it present the specific Section 7 
determination process outlined in the proposed action.
    Alternative 3 differs from the proposed alternative (Alternative 2) 
with regard to the boundaries, classifications, and management zones. 
The effect of the differences would promote more resource protection, 
using a narrower corridor in east Yosemite Valley and in Wawona, within 
the river corridor than under Alternative 2.
    Alternative 4 varies from Alternatives 2 and 3 by presenting yet 
another combination of boundaries, classifications and management 
zoning. Of the alternatives presented, Alternative 4 would present the 
most resource protection within the developed areas along the Merced 
River.
    Alternative 5 presents the same boundaries and classifications as 
Alternative 4, but with zoning that would allow for more use and 
facilities in developed areas than that presented under any of the 
other action alternatives. In addition, there would be no river 
protection overlay under Alternative 5, reducing the ability to protect 
the areas immediately adjacent to the Merced.
    Planning Background: The draft and final Merced River Plan/EIS were 
prepared pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and National 
Environmental Policy Act. A Scoping Notice was published in the Federal 
Register on June 11, 1999; and the Notice of Intent was published on 
August 23, 1999. An intensive scoping phase was undertaken during June 
and July 1999, which included a series of six public meetings. The 
invitation letter requesting input into the development of the draft 
Merced River Plan/EIS was sent to the park's general mailing list. In 
addition, the scoping effort was publicized via regional and local 
media and on the park's Webpage. As a result of this outreach, over 330 
responses were received and used in the development of issues upon 
which preparation of the draft Merced River Plan/EIS was based. A 
summary of the scoping process is available on the park's Webpage 
(address noted below). On January 7, 2000, a Notice of Availability for 
the Draft Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan/
EIS appeared in the Federal Register. A press briefing was held earlier 
the same week to raise public awareness of the plan. Over 9000 plans 
were mailed to each person or organization listed on the park's mailing 
list. A 70-day public comment period began on January 14, 2000 and 
ended on March 24, 2000. Fourteen public hearings were held throughout 
the state of California in January and February. Local press was 
notified days in advance of each meeting to help raise awareness of the 
meetings. Yosemite National Park management and planning officials 
attended all sessions to present the draft Merced River Plan/EIS, to 
receive oral and written comments, and to answer questions. More than 
2300 comments were received by mail, fax, electronic mail, recorded 
testimony, and other means.
    Distribution of MRP/Final EIS: A post-card was mailed to all 
individuals and organizations on the park's general mailing list to 
determine whether a printed copy or a CD-ROM version (or both) of the 
Merced River Plan/FEIS should be mailed to the respective address. 
Another option presented on the postcard was to receive nothing by 
mail, considering that the complete final plan will be available on the 
park's website (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning). Still another option 
was to receive a ``user's guide'' after a Record of Decision is signed. 
In view of these options, the Merced River Plan/FEIS will be mailed, in 
format requested, until quantities are exhausted. Copies will also be 
available at park headquarters in Yosemite Valley, the Warehouse 
Building in El Portal, and at local and regional libraries (i.e., San 
Francisco and Los Angeles).
    Decision Process: Depending upon the response from other agencies, 
organizations and the general public, at this time it is anticipated 
that the notice of an approved Record of Decision would be published in 
the Federal Register not sooner than July 31, 2000 (nor would it be 
signed until at least 30 days have elapsed after publication by the EPA 
of the filing notice for the Final MRP/EIS). The official responsible 
for the decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, 
National Park Service; the official responsible for implementation is 
the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park.

    Dated: June 23, 2000.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-16703 Filed 6-30-00; 8:45 am]
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