Yosemite Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California; Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69303-69304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33248]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Yosemite Valley Plan, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, 
California; Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) and Council on Environmental 
Quality regulations (40 CFR 1502.9(c)), and in order to foster 
coordinated valley planning and operations, the National Park Service 
intends to supplement the 1980 Final General Management Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement (1980 GMP/EIS) with a single, 
comprehensive Yosemite Valley Plan for Yosemite National Park. The 
Yosemite Valley Plan (YVP) will integrate alternatives (or elements 
thereof) and environmental analysis formerly part of four distinct 
initiatives: (a) the 1992 and 1996 Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan/
EIS intended to supplement the 1980 GMP/EIS; (b) the 1997 Draft 
Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/EIS intended to supplement the 1980 
GMP/EIS; (c) the Yosemite Lodge Development Concept Plan/Environmental 
Assessment; and (d) a Yosemite Falls facilities design project. In 
addition, the YVP will implement previously approved actions set forth 
in the 1992 Concessions Management Plan.
    Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service (NPS) will 
prepare a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to 
update the 1980 GMP/EIS. This SEIS/YVP consolidates ongoing 
conservation planning and impact analysis efforts into one plan for the 
valley, so as to provide for a holistic, landscape-view of critical 
initiatives so vital for preserving the valley environs for visitor 
inspiration now and in the future. The decision to prepare a 
consolidated SEIS/YVP also results from proactive public involvement; 
and in response to public comment, the SEIS/YVP may include new or 
modified alternatives or mitigation strategies.

Background

    In July, 1992 a Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan/Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement intended to amend the 1980 GMP/EIS was 
issued (57 FR 34146), with the public comment period ending September 
30, 1992. This document examined the effects of a proposal and four 
alternatives for housing NPS and concession employees who work in 
Yosemite Valley. After reviewing public comments, the NPS identified 
two additional alternatives. A second Draft Housing Plan/SEIS was 
issued in December 1996 (61 FR 64361) with the public comment period 
ending March 31, 1997. Housing alternatives that are still under 
consideration and responses to the 1992 and 1996 public comments will 
be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
    The 1997 Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan/SEIS examined 
the effects of alternatives for implementing 1980 GMP goals of 
reclaiming priceless natural beauty, reducing traffic congestion, 
allowing natural processes to prevail, reducing visitor crowding, and 
promoting visitor understanding and enjoyment in Yosemite Valley. It 
was intended to develop a coherent, comprehensive site plan for all 
necessary visitor services in Yosemite Valley. It included alternatives 
for relocating non-essential NPS and concession functions and 
facilities out of sensitive resource areas and hazardous areas; and for 
redesigning essential buildings, roads, campgrounds, interpretive 
centers and concession facilities. It identified alternative site plans 
for past and current implementation of the 1980 GMP, as well as the 
1992 Concession Services Plan, the draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan, 
and various transportation studies. The Draft Valley Implementation 
Plan/SEIS was issued in November 1997 (62 FR 60264) with an extended 
public comment period ending February 23, 1998 (63 FR 3000). Public 
open houses and workshops were held. Implementation alternatives that 
are still under consideration and responses to the 1997-98 public 
comments will be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
    In April 1997, as part of the park's urgent response to a 
disastrous flood, the Yosemite Lodge Development Concept Plan/
Environmental Assessment was released for public review, with the 
public comment period ending May 16, 1997. Public walk-throughs and 
public information sessions were conducted. The DCP considered 
alternative site plans for the lodge area lodging, housing, circulation 
and visitor services. Subsequent to various legal proceedings, an 
approved Finding of No Significant Impact was formally rescinded on 
December 3, 1998. Lodge DCP alternatives that are still under 
consideration and a summary of the public comment will be included in 
the consolidated SEIS/YVP.
    After several Yosemite Falls Design Elements, Issues and Questions 
workshops were held during 1998, a

[[Page 69304]]

preliminary Draft Program Statement was prepared for internal review 
which addressed alternatives for site design at the falls. Design 
elements such as falls view area, main entry area, picnic area, main 
trail, main bridge, eastern channel trail, parking, revegetation, and 
signs were considered. Yosemite Falls site plans that are still under 
consideration will be included in the consolidated SEIS/YVP.

Scoping/Decision Process

    The existing four park stewardship initiatives summarized above 
yielded very extensive and detailed baselines which will be 
corroborated, clarified, or refined as necessary in the consolidation 
effort. Moreover, incisive public comment and agency consultations 
provided a valuable foundation for preparing those documents. As noted 
above, all comments received during past scoping activities or formal 
response periods are safeguarded in detailed administrative records, 
and will be duly re-considered in developing the consolidated SEIS/YVP. 
Consequently at this time it is necessary to submit only new issues or 
concerns not voiced previously. Also, all past respondents are being 
incorporated into a single mailing list--information about this 
comprehensive conservation planning and impact analysis process will be 
timely distributed via newsletters, mailings, and regional and local 
news media. To request being added now to the inclusive mailing list, 
or to obtain details about information options, please contact park 
staff via telephone at (209) 372-0261. Interested individuals, 
organizations, and agencies wishing to provide written comments on new 
issues or concerns should respond to: Superintendent, Attn: SEIS/YVP, 
P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389. Any new comments must 
be postmarked not later than January 15, 1999.
    Availability of the Draft SEIS/YVP for review and written comment 
will be announced by formal Notice, via local and regional news media, 
and direct mailing. At this time the Draft SEIS/YVP is anticipated to 
be available for public review during late spring 1999. Comments on the 
Draft SEIS/YVP will be fully considered, and incorporated in a Final 
SEIS/YVP as appropriate. At this time it is anticipated that the Final 
SEIS/YVP would be completed during fall 1999. Notice of an approved 
Record of Decision would be published in the Federal Register not 
sooner than thirty (30) days after the Final SEIS/YVP is distributed. 
This is expected to occur by the end of 1999. 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: December 9, 1998.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 98-33248 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P