[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66380-66381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26468]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-13843; PX.DYOSE1318.00.1]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Restoration of the 
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa 
County, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and 
consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the 
National Park Service (NPS) has prepared the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias 
(Mariposa Grove FEIS). The primary purpose of the proposed restoration 
is to restore dynamic natural processes that support the giant sequoias 
in Yosemite National Park and increase the resiliency of the Mariposa 
Grove to withstand a range of environmental stressors, and to improve 
the overall visitor experience in the Grove.

DATES: The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision not 
sooner than 30 days after the date the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes its notice of filing of the Mariposa Grove FEIS in the 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimball Koch, Division of Project 
Management, Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 700-W, 5083 Foresta Road, 
El Portal, CA 95318, (209) 379-1202. Request printed documents or CDs 
through email ([email protected]) or by telephone (209) 379-1202. 
The Mariposa Grove FEIS will be available at libraries in local 
communities. Electronic versions will be available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/mariposagrove.
    Background: The Mariposa Grove encompasses about 500 mature giant 
sequoia trees that are among the oldest and largest living organisms in 
the world. These immense trees were so inspirational to early visitors 
that Congress passed legislation to permanently preserve the Mariposa 
Grove in the midst of the Civil War (Act of Congress, June 30, 1864). 
Comprehensive actions are needed to ensure that the Mariposa Grove 
continues to thrive and provide inspiration and enjoyment for future 
generations.
    Range of Alternatives: The National Park Service developed the 
Mariposa Grove FEIS through consultation with traditionally associated 
American Indian tribes and groups, the State Historic Preservation 
Officer, and other federal and state agencies. Organizations and 
interested members of the public provided 334 public correspondences on 
the Draft EIS. The NPS conducted two public meetings during the public 
comment period, attended by about 90 people.
    The Mariposa Grove FEIS identifies and evaluates a No Action 
Alternative (Alternative 1) and three action alternatives (Alternatives 
2-4) to restore natural habitat within the Mariposa Grove and improve 
the visitor experience. Alternatives 2-4 propose comprehensive 
ecological restoration actions, including improvement of hydrologic 
flows, restored natural habitat, and improved visitor orientation and 
interpretation. Key distinctions among Alternatives 2-4 include the 
location of a new hub for public parking and visitor services, and the 
availability of shuttle service and commercial tram service to the 
Grove.
    Alternative 1 (No Action) would continue current management and 
trends. The lower Mariposa Grove area would continue to serve as the 
primary arrival point and visitor information center. Existing 
buildings and infrastructure within the Mariposa Grove, including a 
commercial tram operation, would remain. The shuttle service connecting 
the overflow parking areas at Wawona to the South Entrance and the 
Grove would continue to operate.
    Alternative 2 (South Entrance Hub) is the agency-preferred 
alternative. To allow for restoration of giant sequoia habitat, 
wetlands, and soundscapes within the Mariposa Grove, this alternative 
would relocate parking and the visitor information center to a primary 
transit hub and contact area near the South Entrance of Yosemite. A 
park shuttle would transport visitors two miles from the South Entrance 
to the lower Grove area, or visitors could hike to the Grove along a 
proposed new trail. Commercial tram operations would be removed from 
the Grove. Limited parking would be available in the lower Grove area 
during the off-season, weather permitting.
    Alternative 3 (Grizzly Giant Hub) would provide for restoration of 
wetlands and giant sequoia habitat in the lower portion of the Mariposa 
Grove and construct a new parking and visitor information center near 
the Grizzly Giant tree. This alternative would require construction of 
a new bypass road to the new visitor hub and would eliminate the need 
for commercial tram and park shuttle operations.
    Alternative 4 (South Entrance Hub with Modified Commercial Tram) 
would allow for restoration of wetlands, soundscapes, and giant sequoia 
habitat within the Mariposa Grove by relocating public parking and 
facilities out of the lower portion of the Grove to the South Entrance 
of Yosemite, as in Alternative 2. Alternative 4 would relocate the 
commercial tram operation to the South Entrance area and reduce the 
route and hours of operation within the upper Grove area to enhance 
sequoia habitat and improve the soundscape and overall visitor 
experience within the Grove. As in Alternative 2, parking would be 
relocated to the South Entrance, and visitors would use the park 
shuttle for the two-mile ride to the Grove. Limited off-season parking 
would be available in the lower Grove area, weather permitting.
    Changes Incorporated in Final EIS: In response to the public 
comments received on the Draft EIS and new information derived from 
subsequent geo-technical studies, minor changes are incorporated into 
the Mariposa Grove FEIS in Alternative 2 and Alternative 4. These 
changes do not substantially alter the determinations of potential 
effects as disclosed in the Draft EIS. The changes include:

[[Page 66381]]

    1. Reconfigure facilities at the South Entrance hub to accommodate 
additional parking (up to approximately 285 spaces) and flex-spaces to 
accommodate oversize vehicles.
    2. Provide an off-season overflow parking area near the picnic 
area.
    3. Increase the size of the buried water tank at South Entrance.
    4. Explore additional options for the location of the septic system 
and leach field.
    Decision Process: As noted above, not sooner than 30 days after the 
Environmental Protection Agency notice is published in the Federal 
Register, the National Park Service will prepare a Record of Decision. 
Notice of project approval through the signing of the Record of 
Decision will be published in the Federal Register by the National Park 
Service. Because this is a delegated EIS, the official responsible for 
approval of the project is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, 
National Park Service. Subsequently, the official responsible for 
project implementation is the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park.

     Dated: September 13, 2013.
Cynthia L. Ip,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-26468 Filed 11-4-13; 8:45 am]
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