Notice of Scoping for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Plan, Yosemite National Park; Mariposa and Madera Counties, California

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 112 (Friday, June 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31605-31606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14823]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Scoping for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Management 
Plan, Yosemite National Park; Mariposa and Madera Counties, California

SUMMARY: Pursuant to provisions of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (Pub. L. 91-190) and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Pub. L. 90-
542), the National Park Service is initiating public scoping for a 
conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process for a 
Merced River Management Plan for river segments in Yosemite National 
Park. This will culminate with a river management plan that 
comprehensively encompasses protection and enhancement of the values 
for which Merced River was designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The 
plan will address resource protection, potential development of lands 
and facilities, user capacities, and other management practices 
necessary or desirable to achieve the purposes of the 1968 Wild and 
Scenic Rivers Act. The purpose of this scoping phase is to elicit early 
public comments regarding issues and concerns, a suitable range of 
alternatives and appropriate mitigation measures, and the nature and 
extent of potential environmental impacts which should be addressed.

Background

    In 1987 Congress designated 122 miles of the Merced River as Wild 
and Scenic, including 81 miles within Yosemite National Park. 
Subsequently the Bureau of Land Mangement and U.S. Forest Service 
jointly completed a comprehensive river management plan for Merced 
River segments outside of Yosemite National Park. The National Park 
Service is now initiating planning for the remaining segments. The two 
segments subject to this effort are the Merced River (the main stem, 
originating near Mt. Lyell and meandering through Yosemite Valley and 
flowing out of the park near El Portal) and the South Fork (originating 
near Triple Divide Peak and flowing out of the park near Wawona). In 
accord with the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the river segments 
within Yosemite

[[Page 31606]]

National Park have been classified, boundaries delineated, and 
outstandingly remarkable values identified.

Scoping and Public Meetings

    Involvement of interested individuals and organizations will be a 
key element of the current conservation planning and environmental 
analysis process, and concurrently Tribal, federal, state, and local 
governments will be consulted. At this time it has not been determined 
whether an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact 
Statement may be appropriate. However, all written responses and 
comments received during the forthcoming public meetings will aid in 
the preparation of either document. Suggestions regarding issues to be 
addressed and information relevant to determining scope of the current 
planning and analysis process are being sought, through July 14, 1999. 
Four public scoping meetings will be held from 6pm to 8pm, as noted 
below; additional information will be released via regional and local 
news media, and updates are also available by phone at (209) 372-0584.
    June 22, San Francisco (Upper Fort Mason, Building 201, Golden Gate 
National Recreation Area, near the intersection of Bay and Franklin 
Streets);
    June 23, Modesto (Mallard Inn, 1720 Sisk Road);
    June 24, Mariposa (Best Western Yosemite Way Station, 4999 Highway 
140);
    June 28, Yosemite Valley (Visitor Center, East Auditorium).

Decision Process

    Scope of issues identified to date include: cultural and natural 
resource protection, development standards for any facilities, land 
management, user capacities, appropriate types of recreation, and 
protection of visual resources. All scoping feedback received will be 
incorporated into the information base guiding the preparation of a 
comprehensive plan for future management of the river. Written comments 
should be addressed to the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, PO 
Box 577, Yosemite National Park, California 95389, and must be 
postmarked not later than July 14, 1999 (or if sent via e-mail, 
transmitted by that date to ``Yose__Merced__River@nps.gov'').
    Notice of future developments, including availability of the draft 
environmental document and plan, will be accomplished via regional news 
media, direct mailings, and Federal Register if warranted. The official 
responsible for final decision regarding the forthcoming plan is the 
Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service; the 
official responsible for subsequent implementation would be the 
Superintendent, Yosemite National Park.

    Dated: June 4, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-14823 Filed 6-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P