[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69956-69958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29670]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Yosemite 
Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park Madera, Mono, Tuolumne, and 
Mariposa Counties, California; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub L.91-190, as amended), and the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Part 1500-1508), the National 
Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement identifying and evaluating 
five alternatives for a Yosemite Valley Plan within Yosemite National 
Park. The foreseeable potential for environmental impacts, and 
appropriate mitigation, are identified and assessed for each 
alternative. When approved, the plan is intended to guide management 
actions during the next 15-20 years.

Proposal

    The proposed Yosemite Valley Plan (Alternative 2--Preferred) would 
restore approximately 176 disturbed or developed acres in Yosemite 
Valley to natural conditions. In addition, 173 acres of developed land 
would be redeveloped and 73 acres of undeveloped land would be 
developed to accommodate visitor and employee services, such as 
campgrounds, day-visitor parking, and employee housing. The net effect 
of this proposal would be to reduce development in Yosemite Valley by 
approximately 71 acres. This

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proposal would locate a new Valley Visitor Center and consolidate 
parking for day-visitors at Yosemite Village, and also consolidate 
parking in three areas outside Yosemite Valley. There would be more 
campsites and fewer lodging units than there are now. Vehicle travel in 
the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley during summer months would be 
greatly reduced. The area of the former Upper and Lower River 
Campgrounds would be restored to a mosaic of meadow, riparian, and oak 
woodland communities, roads would be removed from Ahwahnee and Stoneman 
Meadows, and much of Curry Orchard would be restored to natural 
conditions. Southside Drive would be converted to two-way traffic from 
El Capitan crossover to Curry Village, and Northside Drive would be 
converted to a paved bicycle and pedestrian trail from El Capitan 
crossover to Yosemite Lodge. There would be minimal new development 
west of Yosemite Lodge.

Alternatives

    Alternative 1 maintains the status quo in Yosemite Valley, as 
described in Chapter 3, Affected Environment. It provides a baseline 
from which to compare other alternatives, to evaluate the magnitude of 
proposed changes, and to measure the environmental effects of those 
changes. This ``no new actions'' concept follows the guidance of the 
Council on Environmental Quality, which defines such base-line 
alternatives as no change from the current management direction or 
level of management intensity.
    Alternative 3 would restore approximately 209 disturbed or 
developed acres in Yosemite Valley to natural conditions; and 148 acres 
of developed land would be redeveloped and 99 acres of undeveloped land 
would be developed to accommodate visitor and employee services. The 
net effect would be to reduce development in Yosemite Valley by 
approximately 72 acres. This alternative consolidates parking for day-
visitors in the Taft Toe area; a Valley Visitor Center would also be 
constructed there. There would be fewer campsites and lodging units 
than there are now. The area of the former Upper and Lower River 
Campgrounds and the Camp 6 parking area near Yosemite Village would be 
restored to riparian habitat, roads would be removed from Ahwahnee and 
Stoneman Meadows, and parking and the historic fruit trees would be 
removed from Curry Orchard. Northside Drive would be converted to a 
trail for pedestrians and bicyclists from Yosemite Lodge to El Capitan 
Crossover, and Southside Drive would be converted to two-way traffic 
from Taft Toe to Curry Village.
    Alternative 4 would restore approximately 194 disturbed or 
developed acres in Yosemite Valley to natural conditions. In addition, 
154 acres of developed land would be redeveloped and 99 acres of 
undeveloped land would be developed to accommodate visitor and employee 
services. The net effect would be to reduce development in Yosemite 
Valley by approximately 66 acres. This alternative would consolidate 
parking for day-visitors in the Taft Toe area in mid Yosemite Valley 
and in three parking areas outside the Valley. A Valley Visitor Center 
would be constructed at Taft Toe. There would be fewer campsites and 
lodging units than there are now. The area of former Upper and Lower 
River Campgrounds and the Camp 6 parking area near Yosemite Village 
would be restored to riparian communities; roads would be removed from 
Ahwahnee and Stoneman Meadows; and parking would be removed from Curry 
Orchard. Northside Drive would be converted to a multi-use-paved trail 
for hikers and bicyclists, from Yosemite Lodge to El Capitan crossover. 
Southside Drive would be converted to two-way traffic from Taft Toe to 
Curry Village.
    Alternative 5 would restore approximately 157 disturbed or 
developed acres in Yosemite Valley to natural conditions. In addition, 
181 acres of developed land would be redeveloped and 54 acres of 
undeveloped land would be developed to accommodate employee and visitor 
services. The net effect would be to reduce development in Yosemite 
Valley by approximately 63 acres. This alternative consolidates parking 
for day-visitors at Yosemite Village and selected areas outside of 
Yosemite Valley. A new transit center would be located at Yosemite 
Village. Traffic circulation would remain similar to the present; 
however, one lane of Northside and Southside Drives would be converted 
to multi-use paved trails between El Capitan Crossover and Yosemite 
Lodge. There would be more campsites and fewer lodging units than now, 
and area of the former Lower and Upper River Campgrounds would be 
restored to a mosaic of riparian and oak woodland communities. There 
would be minimal new development in mid and west Yosemite Valley.

Planning Background

    The draft Yosemite Valley Plan and Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (SEIS) were prepared by the National Park Service 
(NPS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. A Scoping 
Notice was published in the Federal Register on December 16, 1998. 
General issues and specific concerns already raised during previous 
relevant planning processes were provided to the public. Scoping 
comments were received through February 1, 1999. During this scoping 
period, the NPS facilitated over 100 discussions and briefings to 
interested members of the public, congressional delegations, Indian 
Tribes, elected officials, other agencies, public service 
organizations, educational institutions, and other entities. Nearly 600 
letters were received concerning the announced conservation planning 
and environmental impact analysis process.
    The draft Yosemite Valley Plan\SEIS--formally announced for public 
review per Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register on 
April 13, 2000--was sent directly to all individuals, organizations, 
and agencies which had previously contacted the park; copies could also 
be obtained in the park, by mail, at public meetings, and were 
available for review at local and regional libraries (i.e., San 
Francisco and Los Angeles). Finally, the complete document was posted 
on the Yosemite National Park WebPage (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning). Written comments were accepted through July 14, 2000. 
Approximately 10,200 responses were received; all were duly considered 
and adjustments were made to the draft plan. All written comments have 
been archived and are available for public review in the park's 
research library.
    In order to further foster public review and comment, 14 public 
meetings were held throughout California--half of these were conducted 
in major metropolitan areas of the State, and half in cities and towns 
neighboring Yosemite National Park. All meetings consisted of a 
combined open house (where participants could view displays and talk 
with park management and planning staff) and formal hearings where oral 
testimony before park officials was documented by a court reporter. 
Approximately 1,500 persons attended these meetings, and 365 
individuals and organization representatives testified during the 
hearings. In addition, public meetings were conducted in Seattle, 
Washington, Denver, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois, and Washington D.C. 
Over 100 individuals attended these out-of-state meetings.

Decision Process

    Subsequent to release of the final Yosemite Valley Plan\SEIS, 
notice of an approved Record of Decision shall be

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published in the Federal Register not sooner than thirty (30) days 
after the final document has been distributed. This is expected to 
occur by the end of December 2000. 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: November 13, 2000.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-29670 Filed 11-20-00; 8:45 am]
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