[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60264-60265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29458]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan and Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement; Yosemite National Park, California; 
Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190 as amended), the National Park Service, 
Department of the Interior, has prepared a Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) assessing the potential impacts 
of a proposed Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan for Yosemite National 
Park, California. The DSEIS identifies and analyzes a proposed action 
and three alternatives for carrying out certain provisions of the 1980 
General Management Plan (GMP). Those provisions call for removing 
unnecessary structures, restoring and protecting recovered land, 
relocating facilities out of sensitive or hazardous areas, and reducing 
traffic congestion in Yosemite Valley. This DSEIS also incorporates the 
1992 Concession Services Plan and pertinent information from the 1996 
Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan with the GMP into a comprehensive 
implementation plan. Each alternative describes a proposal for the 
management and use of Yosemite Valley and discusses changes in the 
valley's developed areas, cultural and natural resource management, 
interpretation and visitor services, and park operations. The 
environmental consequences of the proposed action and the three 
alternatives are fully documented in the DSEIS, and appropriate 
mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate impacts are identified. Once 
approved, the plan will provide implementation guidance for carrying 
out provisions of the GMP.

Proposal

    Under Alternative 2 (the proposed action), the National Park 
Service (NPS) would emphasize a comprehensive approach to carrying out 
the provisions of the GMP and subsequent plans. Implementation of the 
proposed action would allow for approximately 147 acres in the east end 
of the valley to be restored to natural conditions, 82 acres 
redesigned, and 38 acres developed to accommodate relocated facilities 
or functions. An orientation/transfer facility would be located in the 
west end of the valley at Taft Toe. Day use visitors and out-of-park 
transit bus riders would be intercepted there and would use the valley 
shuttle bus system

[[Page 60265]]

to access other destinations in Yosemite Valley. Day use vehicles and 
parking would be removed from the east end of the valley. Changes to 
circulation and campgrounds are also proposed. Alternative 2 proposes 
an increase in interpretive and educational programs through 
partnerships with supporting organizations. Some cultural resources 
would be affected by the proposed actions.

Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, three other alternatives are 
presented and analyzed. Alternative 1 (no action), continues 
implementation of the GMP, but without a comprehensive approach. 
Implementing this alternative would allow for approximately 41 acres to 
be restored to natural conditions and 15 acres redesigned to 
accommodate relocated facilities or functions. Alternative 3 is similar 
to the proposed action but provides an orientation/transfer facility 
with some interpretive functions in the west end of the valley at 
Pohono Quarry. Implementing this alternative would allow for 
approximately 143 acres to be reclaimed and restored to natural 
conditions, 93 acres redesigned, and 38 acres developed to accommodate 
relocated facilities or functions. Alternative 4 (minimum requirements) 
would provide for implementation of the GMP in a manner more 
comprehensive than the no action alternative but with less habitat 
restoration and fewer improvements than Alternative 2 and Alternative 
3. Implementing Alternative 4 would allow for approximately 118 acres 
to be reclaimed and restored to natural conditions, 95 acres 
redesigned, and 36 acres developed to accommodate relocated facilities 
or functions. Under this alternative, there would be no orientation/
transfer facility and day use vehicles would continue to park in the 
east end of the valley.

Public Meetings

    A series of informational Open Houses will be held to provide 
members of the public with an informal opportunity to learn about the 
Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan, the major issues, and the 
results of impact and mitigation analyses. NPS staff will be available 
to discuss the alternatives and answer questions, and exhibits 
illustrating elements of the proposal and alternatives will be 
displayed. The Open House sessions have been scheduled as follows:

Nov. 13--Yosemite Valley 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Nov. 17--Fresno area 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Nov. 18--Los Angeles area 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Nov. 20--San Francisco 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Nov. 22--Mammoth Lakes 4:00-9:00 p.m.

    In addition, a series of Public Workshops will be held to provide 
NPS staff an opportunity to hear concerns and suggestions from the 
public. In contrast to a formal public hearing, the workshops will 
afford interested individuals and organization representatives the 
opportunity to verbally offer input and engage in dialog about the 
range of alternatives, elements of alternatives, and issues involved. 
This dialog is intended to provide additional guidance to the NPS in 
preparing a Final Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan. This series of 
Workshops has been scheduled as follows:

Dec. 1--Fresno area 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Dec. 2--Los Angeles area 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Dec. 4--San Francisco 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Dec. 6--Mammoth Lakes 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Dec. 10--Yosemite Valley 2:00-4:00 p.m.

    For directions to public meeting locations or information about 
other activities (including site visits), please contact the 
Superintendent's office as noted below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the DSEIS will be available for 
public inspection at the park and area libraries, and at the Office of 
Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 1849 
C Street NW, Washington DC; and Pacific West Regional Office, 600 
Harrison Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA. Requests for copies of 
the document should be directed to: Superintendent, Attn: VIP-PIO, 
Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, or by 
telephone at (209) 372-0265. The draft document will also be available 
on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/planning. All comments should be 
directed to the Superintendent at the above address. Written comments 
must be postmarked no later than January 23, 1998; comments also will 
be accepted via the Internet (per above) if transmitted no later than 
January 23, 1998.

Decision

    After the formal DSEIS review period has concluded, all comments 
and suggestions received will be considered in preparing a final plan. 
Currently the final SEIS and plan are anticipated to be completed 
during spring or summer, 1998; their availability will be similarly 
announced in the Federal Register. Subsequently a Record of Decision 
would be executed no sooner than 30 (thirty) days after release of the 
final SEIS. The responsible officials are John J. Reynolds, Regional 
Director, Pacific West Region and Stanley T. Albright, Superintendent, 
Yosemite National Park.

    Dated: October 31, 1997.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 97-29458 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P