Yosemite Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California; Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Yosemite Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County,

California; Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental

Impact Statement

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) and Council on Environmental

Quality regulations (40 CFR 1502.9(c)), and in order to foster

coordinated valley planning and operations, the National Park Service

intends to supplement the 1980 Final General Management Plan/

Environmental Impact Statement (1980 GMP/EIS) with a single,

comprehensive Yosemite Valley Plan for Yosemite National Park. The

Yosemite Valley Plan (YVP) will integrate alternatives (or elements

thereof) and environmental analysis formerly part of four distinct

initiatives: (a) the 1992 and 1996 Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan/

EIS intended to supplement the 1980 GMP/EIS; (b) the 1997 Draft

Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/EIS intended to supplement the 1980

GMP/EIS; (c) the Yosemite Lodge Development Concept Plan/Environmental

Assessment; and (d) a Yosemite Falls facilities design project. In

addition, the YVP will implement previously approved actions set forth

in the 1992 Concessions Management Plan.

Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service (NPS) will

prepare a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to

update the 1980 GMP/EIS. This SEIS/YVP consolidates ongoing

conservation planning and impact analysis efforts into one plan for the

valley, so as to provide for a holistic, landscape-view of critical

initiatives so vital for preserving the valley environs for visitor

inspiration now and in the future. The decision to prepare a

consolidated SEIS/YVP also results from proactive public involvement;

and in response to public comment, the SEIS/YVP may include new or

modified alternatives or mitigation strategies.

Background

In July, 1992 a Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan/Supplemental

Environmental Impact Statement intended to amend the 1980 GMP/EIS was

issued (57 FR 34146), with the public comment period ending September

30, 1992. This document examined the effects of a proposal and four

alternatives for housing NPS and concession employees who work in

Yosemite Valley. After reviewing public comments, the NPS identified

two additional alternatives. A second Draft Housing Plan/SEIS was

issued in December 1996 (61 FR 64361) with the public comment period

ending March 31, 1997. Housing alternatives that are still under

consideration and responses to the 1992 and 1996 public comments will

be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.

The 1997 Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/SEIS examined

the effects of alternatives for implementing 1980 GMP goals of

reclaiming priceless natural beauty, reducing traffic congestion,

allowing natural processes to prevail, reducing visitor crowding, and

promoting visitor understanding and enjoyment in Yosemite Valley. It

was intended to develop a coherent, comprehensive site plan for all

necessary visitor services in Yosemite Valley. It included alternatives

for relocating non-essential NPS and concession functions and

facilities out of sensitive resource areas and hazardous areas; and for

redesigning essential buildings, roads, campgrounds, interpretive

centers and concession facilities. It identified alternative site plans

for past and current implementation of the 1980 GMP, as well as the

1992 Concession Services Plan, the draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan,

and various transportation studies. The Draft Valley Implementation

Plan/SEIS was issued in November 1997 (62 FR 60264) with an extended

public comment period ending February 23, 1998 (63 FR 3000). Public

open houses and workshops were held. Implementation alternatives that

are still under consideration and responses to the 1997-98 public

comments will be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.

In April 1997, as part of the park's urgent response to a

disastrous flood, the Yosemite Lodge Development Concept Plan/

Environmental Assessment was released for public review, with the

public comment period ending May 16, 1997. Public walk-throughs and

public information sessions were conducted. The DCP considered

alternative site plans for the lodge area lodging, housing, circulation

and visitor services. Subsequent to various legal proceedings, an

approved Finding of No Significant Impact was formally rescinded on

December 3, 1998. Lodge DCP alternatives that are still under

consideration and a summary of the public comment will be included in

the consolidated SEIS/YVP.

After several Yosemite Falls Design Elements, Issues and Questions

workshops were held during 1998, a

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preliminary Draft Program Statement was prepared for internal review

which addressed alternatives for site design at the falls. Design

elements such as falls view area, main entry area, picnic area, main

trail, main bridge, eastern channel trail, parking, revegetation, and

signs were considered. Yosemite Falls site plans that are still under

consideration will be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.

Scoping/Decision Process

The existing four park stewardship initiatives summarized above

yielded very extensive and detailed baselines which will be

corroborated, clarified, or refined as necessary in the consolidation

effort. Moreover, incisive public comment and agency consultations

provided a valuable foundation for preparing those documents. As noted

above, all comments received during past scoping activities or formal

response periods are safeguarded in detailed administrative records,

and will be duly re-considered in developing the consolidated SEIS/YVP.

Consequently at this time it is necessary to submit only new issues or

concerns not voiced previously. Also, all past respondents are being

incorporated into a single mailing list--information about this

comprehensive conservation planning and impact analysis process will be

timely distributed via newsletters, mailings, and regional and local

news media. To request being added now to the inclusive mailing list,

or to obtain details about information options, please contact park

staff via telephone at (209) 372-0261. Interested individuals,

organizations, and agencies wishing to provide written comments on new

issues or concerns should respond to: Superintendent, Attn: SEIS/YVP,

P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389. Any new comments must

be postmarked not later than January 15, 1999.

Availability of the Draft SEIS/YVP for review and written comment

will be announced by formal Notice, via local and regional news media,

and direct mailing. At this time the Draft SEIS/YVP is anticipated to

be available for public review during late spring 1999. Comments on the

Draft SEIS/YVP will be fully considered, and incorporated in a Final

SEIS/YVP as appropriate. At this time it is anticipated that the Final

SEIS/YVP would be completed during fall 1999. Notice of an approved

Record of Decision would be published in the Federal Register not

sooner than thirty (30) days after the Final SEIS/YVP is distributed.

This is expected to occur by the end of 1999. 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: December 9, 1998.

Patricia L. Neubacher,

Acting Regional Director, Pacific West.

[FR Doc. 98-33248 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am]

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