Comprehensive Management Plan for the Merced Wild and Scenic River, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa and Madera Counties, California; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Comprehensive Management Plan for the Merced Wild and Scenic

River, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa and Madera Counties,

California; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact

Statement

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

Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190) and Council on Environmental

Quality regulations (40 CFR 1508.22), the National Park Service intends

to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Comprehensive

Management Plan that encompasses protection and enhancement of the

values for which the Merced River was designated as a Wild and Scenic

River. During the ensuing conservation planning-impact analysis

process, management alternatives will be developed which will address

resource protection, development of lands or facilities, user

capacities, and various stewardship practices necessary or desirable to

achieve the purposes of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, as

amended. The Merced River planning process will be conducted in

consultation with affected federal agencies, State and local

governments, tribal groups, and interested organizations and

individuals.

Background

The National Park Service has previously completed the tasks of

establishing detailed boundaries, classifying segments of the Merced

River as either wild, scenic, or recreational (as required by 16 USC

1274(b)), and identifying the outstandingly remarkable values (ORV) for

each river segment. These factors were presented for public review and

comment in the 1996 Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan (Addendum/

Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General

Management Plan). The Merced River planning process will incorporate

that information (and germane comments) into the preparation of the

Environmental Impact Statement for the Merced River Comprehensive

Management Plan (MCMP/EIS).

Scoping Results

The MCMP/EIS is being prepared by the NPS pursuant to the Wild and

Scenic Rivers Act, as amended (16 USC 1274(d)). The NPS has completed

the scoping phase through a concerted public involvement effort,

including the following activities. An invitation letter initiating

scoping and announcing four public meetings was mailed to over 8,500

individuals, organizations, agencies, and other entities during the

week of June 7, 1999. On June 11, 1999 the NPS formally noticed the

MCMP scoping period in the Federal Register (V64-N112-P31605),

accepting comments through July 14, 1999. Altogether six public

meetings were held in San Francisco (June 22), Modesto (June 23),

Mariposa (June 24), Yosemite Valley (June 28), Wawona (July 7), and El

Portal (July 12). In addition to direct mailing and the internet, all

meetings were publicized via news releases sent to over 110 media

contacts on June 3 and July 1, 1999. In deference to public interest,

the NPS on July 13, 1999 via direct mailing and news release issued a

two-week extension of the scoping period through July 30, 1999. Formal

notice of the extension appeared in the Federal Register on July 23,

1999 (V64-N141-P40037).

Results of Scoping and Future Information

As a result of the scoping effort which elicited over 330

responses, it has been determined that an Environmental Impact

Statement (not an Environmental Assessment) will be prepared. All

comments received during June 11-July 30 in response to the scoping and

extension notices have been duly considered, and will remain in the

administrative record throughout this conservation planning-impact

analysis process. In addition to the considerations mentioned above, as

a direct result of the public responses received the following issues

will be considered: recreational use; commercial use; access for

persons with disabilities; riparian habitat protection; private

property in Wawona; the river boundaries; development in Yosemite

Valley within the corridor; and air, water, and noise pollution.

Updated information about various aspects of the Merced River

planning process will be periodically distributed via newsletters,

mailings, the Yosemite National Park Webpage (http://www.nps.gov/yose/

planning), and regional and local news media. To request placement on

MCMP/EIS mailing list, please leave your name and address on the voice

mail telephone at (209) 372-0261--interested individuals,

organizations, and agencies may also respond to: Superintendent, Attn:

CMP/EIS, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389.

Decision Process

On July 12, 1999 a federal judge ordered the NPS to complete a

Comprehensive Management Plan for the Merced Wild and Scenic River

within twelve (12) months. This ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought

by plaintiffs opposing the ongoing reconstruction of State Highway 140

(El Portal Road) along the first seven miles of the highway situated

within the park. Consequently the MCMP/EIS effort will proceed on the

following compressed time schedule:

The Draft CMP/EIS is anticipated to be available for public review

and comment during January and February 2000. Availability of the Draft

document for review and written comment will be announced by formal

Notice in the Federal Register, through local and regional news media,

Yosemite's Webpage, and direct mailing. Comments on the Draft CMP/EIS

will be fully considered, and incorporated into a Final CMP/EIS as

appropriate. At this time it is anticipated that the Final CMP/EIS will

be completed during early June 2000. Subsequently, notice of an

approved Record of Decision will be published in the Federal Register

not sooner than thirty (30) days after the Final CMP/EIS is

distributed. This is expected to occur by mid-July of 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: August 13, 1999.

Martha K. Leicester,

Acting Regional Director, Pacific West.

[FR Doc. 99-21801 Filed 8-20-99; 8:45 am]

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