[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 57566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22841]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-15903; PX.P0131800B.00.1]


Record of Decision for Tuolumne River Comprehensive Management 
Plan, Yosemite National Park, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service has prepared and approved a Record 
of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Tuolumne River Comprehensive Management Plan. Approval of the Tuolumne 
River Comprehensive Management Plan concludes an extensive conservation 
planning and environmental impact analysis effort that began during 
2005. The requisite no-action ``wait period'' was initiated on March 
14, 2014, with the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register 
announcement of the filing of the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: Those wishing to review the Record of Decision may obtain a 
copy by contacting the Superintendent, Attn: Division of Project 
Management, Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 700-W, 5083 Foresta Road, 
El Portal, CA 95318 or via telephone request at (209) 379-1202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Morse, Chief of Planning, 
(209) 379-1270.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service has prepared and 
approved a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Tuolumne River Comprehensive Management Plan. This 
process was conducted pursuant Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the 
regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 
1505.2). The National Park Service has selected ``agency preferred'' 
Alternative 4 (with minor modifications incorporated in regards to 
continued operations of the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp) for 
implementation as the approved Tuolumne River Comprehensive Management 
Plan.
    Under the selected alternative, Tuolumne Meadows will retain its 
rustic character, the scenic driving experience through the corridor 
area will be enhanced, and limited facilities and services will be 
provided. There will be a comprehensive restoration program, including 
a rigorous program of monitoring and adaptive management. The Tuolumne 
Meadows campground will be completely rehabilitated. Approximately 
4,700 people at one time will be accommodated in the entire Tuolumne 
River corridor during periods of peak visitation.
    Selected key components of the approved plan are as follows: (1) 
Restore 171 acres of meadow and riparian habitat, including removing 
concessioner housing, 21 campground sites, and other structures that 
are too close to the river; (2) mitigate effects of stock grazing in 
Lyell Canyon by establishing fixed campsites with approved access 
routes and implement a grazing capacity based on establishing range-
readiness criteria for stock grazing; (3) provide for a new visitor 
contact station adjacent to Tioga Road across from Parsons Memorial 
Lodge, including parking for day use hikers (the old contact station 
will be converted to office space and its appurtenant parking will be 
re-purposed for use by hikers to Cathedral Lakes); (4) continue 
traditional recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, and 
artistic pursuits, and allow whitewater boaters to float new river 
reaches through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne; and (5) increase 
shuttle frequency within Tuolumne Meadows during periods of peak use, 
and provide additional transit runs connecting to Yosemite Valley and 
Mammoth Lakes.
    Four other alternatives were evaluated, the full range of 
foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate 
mitigation measures were identified.

    Dated: September 11, 2014.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-22841 Filed 9-24-14; 8:45 am]
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