[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10836-10837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04061]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-14407; PX.P0131800B.00.1]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Merced Wild and 
Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan, Yosemite National Park, 
Madera and Mariposa Counties, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), and consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act of 
1966 (NHPA), the National Park Service (NPS) has prepared the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed Merced Wild 
and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan). The 
Merced River Plan fulfills the requirements of the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act (Pub. L. 100-149, as amended) and will provide long-term 
protection of river values and establish a user capacity management 
program for 81 miles of the Merced River that flow through Yosemite 
National Park and the El Portal Administrative Site.

DATES: The NPS 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 Final EIS for the Merced River Plan in the 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen S. Morse, Planning Chief, 
Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, (209) 379-
1110. Printed documents (quantities limited) or CDs may be requested 
through email ([email protected]) or by telephone (209) 379-1110. 
In addition, the Final EIS will be available for public inspection at 
libraries in local communities. Electronic versions will be available 
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_mrp, as well as through the 
Yosemite National Park Web site at http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mrp.htm.

Background

    As defined by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA), the purposes 
of the Merced River Plan/Final EIS are to protect the Merced River's 
free-flowing conditions, and to: (1) Review, and if necessary revise, 
the river corridor boundaries and segment classifications, and provide 
a process for protection of the river's free-flowing condition in 
keeping with Sec.  7(a) of the WSRA; (2) Refine descriptions of the 
river's outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs), which are the unique, 
rare, or exemplary in a regional or national context, and the river-
related/river-dependent characteristics that make the river eligible 
for inclusion in the national wild and scenic rivers system; (3) 
Identify management objectives for the river and specific management 
measures that will be implemented to achieve protection and enhancement 
of river values; (4) Establish a user capacity program that addresses 
the kinds and amounts of public use that the river corridor can sustain 
while protecting and enhancing the river's ORVs; (5) Commit to a 
program of ongoing studies and monitoring to ensure that the ORVs are 
protected and enhanced over the life of the plan.
    The Merced River Plan/Final EIS has been developed through 
consultation with traditionally-associated American Indian tribes and 
groups, the State Historic Preservation Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, and other federal and state agencies. Gateway communities, 
organizations, and interested members of the public have provided more 
than 30,000 public correspondences (including letters, faxes, emails, 
comment forms, and public meeting flip-chart notes). The NPS has 
conducted more than 50 public meetings, presentations, workshops, field 
visits, and open houses in support of the EIS process. Two preliminary 
alternatives concepts workbooks were distributed for public review and 
comment prior to completion of the draft Merced River Plan.
    Based on a thorough examination of the river's baseline conditions 
at the time of designation (1986), a multi-faceted approach to river 
management and stewardship has been proposed. To address the WSRA 
mandate to protect and enhance river values, many of the plan's actions 
would be common to all the action alternatives, including: (1) All WSRA 
management elements (boundaries, classifications, Sec.  7 determination 
process); (2) actions to protect and enhance river values (e.g., 
ecological restoration components); (3) removal and or relocation of 
numerous facilities and services; (4) actions to improve traffic 
circulation and reduce congestion; (5) implementation of a monitoring 
program that sets thresholds for when management actions must be taken 
to protect river values; and (6) a user capacity management program.

Proposal and Alternatives

    In keeping with the expressed purpose and need for federal action, 
the Merced River Plan/Final EIS evaluates the foreseeable environmental 
consequences of five action alternatives and a No-Action alternative in 
accordance with the NEPA, and assesses the potential to cause adverse 
effects to historic properties in accordance with Sec.  106 of the 
NHPA. Actions called for in the 1980 Yosemite General Management Plan 
addressing management within the river corridor would be amended and 
are outlined in the Merced River Plan/Final EIS. The action 
alternatives vary primarily in the degree of restoration and the amount 
of visitor use that could be accommodated by the commensurate level of 
facilities and services necessary to protect river values.
    Alternative 1 (No-Action) would continue current management and 
trends, including ongoing localized effects associated with impacts to 
free-flowing condition of the river and connectivity of meadows, 
development near the river's edge and floodplain, and pedestrian-
vehicle conflicts at major intersections. In 2011, the peak daily 
visitation recorded for East Yosemite Valley was 20,900 people per day.
    Alternative 2: Self-Reliant Visitor Experiences and Extensive 
Floodplain Restoration provides for restoration within the 100-year 
floodplain, significant reduction in facilities and services, and 
significantly lower visitor use than current conditions. Given the 
conditions in this Alternative, visitation to East Yosemite Valley 
would be approximately 13,900 people per day.
    Alternative 3: Dispersed Visitor Experiences and Extensive 
Riverbank Restoration provides for restoration within 150 feet of the 
river, marked reduction in visitor facilities and services, and 
significantly lower visitor use than current conditions. Given the 
conditions in this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley visitation would 
be approximately 13,200 people per day.
    Alternative 4: Resource-based Visitor Experiences and Targeted 
Riverbank Restoration provides for targeted restoration within 150 feet 
of the river, reduced commercial services with a significant increase 
over current camping opportunities, and slightly lower visitor use 
levels. Given conditions in this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley 
visitation would be approximately 17,000 people per day.
    Alternative 5 (agency-preferred and environmentally preferred): 
Enhanced Visitor Experiences and Essential

[[Page 10837]]

Riverbank Restoration provides for essential restoration within 100 
feet of the river, moderately increases current camping opportunities, 
and accommodates approximately the current level of visitor use. Given 
the conditions in this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley visitation 
would be approximately 20,100 people per day. Changes incorporated in 
this alternative based on public review of the Draft EIS are summarized 
below.
    Alternative 6: Diversified Visitor Experiences and Selective 
Riverbank Restoration provides for limited restoration within 100 feet 
of the river, expanded facilities and services with the largest 
increase over current camping opportunities, and accommodation of some 
growth in visitor use levels. Given conditions in this Alternative, 
East Yosemite Valley visitation would be approximately 21,800 people 
per day.

Changes Incorporated in Final EIS

    In response to comments received on the Draft EIS, some 
modifications have been incorporated into Alternative 5 (key changes 
are listed below); all other alternatives are substantially unchanged.
     Revised the user capacity and visitor use management 
program to better articulate how river values, transportation system 
performance, and management objectives work together to develop and 
monitor user capacities.
     Increased the number of sites at the Upper and Lower River 
Campgrounds, and eliminated proposed camping at Eagle Creek. Added 
campsites to the Abbieville/Trailer Village area and increased the 
number of spaces at the seasonally-available El Portal Remote Parking 
Area.
     Retained the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge pools, relocated 
bike rentals and ice skating facilities outside the river corridor, 
provided raft rental opportunities, and retained the Housekeeping Camp 
store.
     Allowed commercial raft rentals in Yosemite Valley and 
included a boating capacity and additional boating information for each 
open segment of river.
     Removed the proposed Huff House employee housing and 
redistributed these units with additional permanent housing at Lost 
Arrow, retained historic housing in the Curry Village area, and 
included new units in Rancheria Flat as well as the El Portal Town 
Center.
     Included additional tour bus parking at the West of Lodge 
parking area and additional parking spaces in areas such as east of the 
Yosemite Lodge registration area and the current Curry Village ice-rink 
location. Relocated parking from West Valley Overflow Parking Area to 
the El Portal Remote Parking area where shuttle service to Yosemite 
Valley would be provided. Established a commercial tour bus and transit 
capacity for Yosemite Valley.
     Further study will assess various long-term management 
strategies for Sugar Pine Bridge. If mitigation measures fail to meet 
defined criteria for success, consideration of bridge removal would 
involve a public review process and additional compliance.
     Clarified changes to Curry Village overnight 
accommodations to reflect recent changes due to the rockfall hazard 
zone update.
     A tiered compliance effort will evaluate alternatives to 
address a grade-separated pedestrian crossing to address traffic 
congestion at the Yosemite Lodge intersection.
     Expanded the Yosemite Valley Historic Resources ORV to 
include the entire Yosemite Valley Historic District and clarified 
specific sites where monitoring will occur to protect and enhance the 
Recreation ORV.
     Established a grazing capacity at Merced Lake East Meadow 
and pack stock limit for the Merced Lake High Sierra Camp.

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. Because this 
is a delegated EIS, the official responsible for approval of the Merced 
River Plan is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park 
Service. Subsequently, the official responsible for implementation of 
the approved Merced River Plan is the Superintendent, Yosemite National 
Park.

    Dated: November 4, 2013.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-04061 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
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