Environmental Impact Statement for Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne Counties, CA, 75558-75559 [2011-31024]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 232 / Friday, December 2, 2011 / Notices
National Park Service. Following
approval of the GMP the official
responsible for implementation would
be the Superintendent, Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park.
Dated: November 3, 2011.
John H. Williams,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011–31040 Filed 12–1–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–KV–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–1002–8566; 8826–1016–
600]
Environmental Impact Statement for
Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of
Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National
Park, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, and
Tuolumne Counties, CA
National Park Service.
Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The National Park Service
(NPS) is preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the
Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of
Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National
Park. This EIS addresses
implementation of actions called for in
the 1980 General Management Plan
(GMP), presenting comprehensive
design alternatives for restoring natural
conditions in the Mariposa Grove, as
well as improving visitor experience
and access within the Grove and at the
nearby South Entrance to the park. The
NPS is initiating public scoping and
consultation with interested members of
the public, agencies, and federally
recognized American Indian Tribes
traditionally associated with the area to
help identify topics, issues, and
concerns for consideration in the EIS.
DATES: Comments must be received by
January 3, 2012.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1864,
Congress passed landmark legislation
preserving both the Mariposa Grove of
Giant Sequoias and the Yosemite Valley.
This was the first time Congress set
aside public lands for the express
purpose of preserving scenic and
natural values, stating that these areas
‘‘shall be held for public use, resort, and
recreation * * * inalienable for all
time’’ (Act of June 30, 1864, 13 Stat.
325). Giant sequoia groves occur
sporadically on the western slope of the
Sierra Nevada as remnants of more
extensive forests that existed thousands
of years ago. These impressive trees are
known for their massive size and
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:03 Dec 01, 2011
Jkt 226001
longevity. The Mariposa Grove
comprises about 500 mature giant
sequoia trees in an upper and lower
grove. It is the largest of three giant
sequoia groves within the park.
Distribution of the trees is limited by
several factors including surface water,
typically supplied by melting snow; soil
and air moisture; temperature; and
ground water. Giant sequoias have
expansive but shallow root systems that
can reach up to one hundred feet from
the base of the tree. Fire plays an
important role in giant sequoia ecology,
creating canopy openings and releasing
soil nutrients needed for seedling
establishment. Fire scars on the trees
indicate that fires occurred at intervals
of approximately 3–15 years within the
Mariposa Grove until the late 19th
century.
The Mariposa Grove is home to
several special-status species, including
the pacific fisher (Martes pennanti, a
candidate for federal listing as a
threatened or endangered species),
California spotted owls (Strix
occidentalis occidentalis), Bolander’s
woodreed (Cinna bolanderi), mountain
lady’s slipper (Cypripedium
montanum), and Coleman’s piperia
(Piperia colemanii). Cultural resources
in the area include archaeological
resources and several historic properties
either in, or eligible for listing in, the
National Register of Historic Places.
Historic resources include (1) the
Mariposa Grove, a historic district that
includes the loop road, several trails,
the Civilian Conservation Corps-era
comfort station, and the Grove Museum
(individually listed), and (2) the South
Entrance Station, a historic district that
includes the comfort station, ranger
residence/garage and the entrance
checking station. The Mariposa Grove
Road will be assessed for its eligibility
for listing in the National Register as
part of the project. Non-historic
structures and sites within the Grove
include the parking areas, gift shop,
ticket booth, tram staging area, fueling
station, vault toilets, shuttle stops and
bus parking areas, several trails, and
communications equipment.
Site Management History: Paved
roads, parking areas, a campground, and
other infrastructure were constructed
within the Mariposa Grove from the
1930s to the 1970s. Since then,
management practices have evolved
along with our understanding of ecology
and giant sequoias. After nearly a
century of fire suppression, prescribed
fire was reintroduced to the Mariposa
Grove in 1971, as resource managers
recognized that heavy fuel build-up
could threaten its survival. Growing
concerns about visitation impacts also
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
led to the decision to prohibit private
vehicles in the Upper Grove. In the 1980
General Management Plan (GMP),
Yosemite National Park outlined goals
and actions to protect and restore the
Mariposa Grove and improve the nearby
south entrance to the park. Some
projects have been implemented, such
as removal of the campground and
lodge. However, several major actions
have yet to be fully designed or
implemented, such as relocating parking
from the Lower Grove, improving
facilities, upgrading utilities, and
redesigning the South Entrance Station.
Purpose and Need: Comprehensive
actions are needed to ensure that the
Mariposa Grove continues to thrive and
provide inspiration and enjoyment for
future generations. Primary goals of this
project are to restore degraded habitat
and natural processes critical to the
long-term health of the Mariposa Grove,
and to improve the overall experience
for visitors. Existing conditions affecting
the health of the Mariposa Grove
include (1) roads and other
infrastructure are disrupting natural
water flows, (2) facilities in the Lower
Grove—a parking lot for over 100
vehicles, a tram staging area, fueling
station, fuel storage tanks, generators,
and a gift shop—are encroaching on
sequoias and their habitat, and (3) foot
and vehicle traffic have compacted soils
and exposed shallow sequoia roots.
Stressed trees are less resilient and more
susceptible to external threats such as
disease, wildfire from surrounding
areas, and effects from climate change.
Existing conditions affecting the
visitor experience include (1)
inadequate information exists to
properly orient visitors upon arrival to
the park or the Mariposa Grove, (2) road
configuration at the South Entrance and
entrance to the Mariposa Grove is
confusing, (3) the parking lot fills to
capacity early in the day, forcing
temporary closures of the lot and road,
(4) long lines form at the kiosks and
intersection as visitors attempt to get
information, find parking, or turn
around due to lot and road closure, (5)
shuttles from Wawona to the Mariposa
Grove are often already full when they
arrive at the South Entrance Station
shuttle stop, and (6) trails and facilities
need improvements for accessibility.
Conditions affecting visitor and
employee safety include (1) pedestrian
crossings to and from the facilities and
parking are undefined and hazardous
amid the traffic congestion, (2) small
entrance station kiosks have insufficient
space for employee safety, accessibility,
or comfort while working long shifts, (3)
multiple left turn lanes crossing one
another at the South Entrance Station
E:\FR\FM\02DEN1.SGM
02DEN1
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 232 / Friday, December 2, 2011 / Notices
increase potential for accidents, and (4)
large vehicles have difficulty making the
turn to exit the park, sometimes striking
barriers and kiosks.
To address these issues, the NPS will
be developing a range of alternatives to
restore the Mariposa Grove and improve
visitor experience, consistent with goals
outlined in the GMP. Grove restoration
treatment plans will be informed by
existing and ongoing scientific research
and monitoring. Site design alternatives
may include actions such as (1)
relocating the parking lot away from the
giant sequoias, (2) improving trails and
transportation access within and to the
Grove, (3) repairing, replacing, and/or
removing deteriorating infrastructure
and utilities, (4) redesigning traffic
circulation, and (5) accommodating
parking in the vicinity of South
Entrance, with visitor orientation
information and shuttle stops.
The EIS will describe and analyze a
no-action alternative (maintain current
management, roads, and facilities) and
several action alternatives for restoring
the health of the Mariposa Grove.
Alternatives will be developed
consistent with applicable federal, state,
and local regulations, NPS policies, and
relevant park plans, including the
Merced River Plan (in progress). All
alternatives will include methods to
minimize or avoid adverse effects to
natural, cultural, and historic resources,
and the ‘‘environmentally preferred’’
course of action will be identified.
Written comments may be submitted
online at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/
mariposagrove. Alternately, letters may
be mailed to the Superintendent, Attn:
Mariposa Grove EIS, P.O. Box 577,
Yosemite, CA 95389. Comments may
also be submitted in person, during
business hours, to the Superintendent’s
Office in the Valley Administration
Building or the Office of Environmental
Planning and Compliance, 5083 Foresta
Road, El Portal, CA, or may be handdelivered at the open house.
To learn more about the proposed
restoration, the public is invited to
attend any of the regularly scheduled
park planning open houses. In addition,
current project information will be
posted at https://www.nps.gov/yose/
parkmgmt/mgrove.htm, or may be
obtained by telephone at the Yosemite
Office of Environmental Planning and
Compliance (209) 379–1002.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:03 Dec 01, 2011
Jkt 226001
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Dated: November 4, 2011.
Cynthia L. Ip,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011–31024 Filed 12–1–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–FY–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–NCR–NACA–1111–8771; 3086–SYM]
Notice of Meeting, National Capital
Memorial Advisory Commission
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the National Capital Memorial Advisory
Commission (the Commission) will
meet at the National Building Museum,
Room 312, 401 F Street NW.,
Washington, DC, on Wednesday,
December 14, 2011, at 10 a.m., to
consider matters pertaining to
commemorative works in the District of
Columbia and its environs.
DATES: Wednesday, December 14, 2011.
ADDRESSES: National Building Museum,
Room 312, 401 F Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Nancy Young, Secretary to the
Commission, by telephone at (202) 619–
7097, by email at
nancy_young@nps.gov, by telefax at
(202) 619–7420, or by mail at the
National Capital Memorial Advisory
Commission, 1100 Ohio Drive SW.,
Room 220, Washington, DC 20242.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Commission was established by Public
Law 99–652, the Commemorative Works
Act (40 U.S.C. Chapter 89 et seq.), to
advise the Secretary of the Interior (the
Secretary) and the Administrator,
General Services Administration, (the
Administrator) on policy and
procedures for establishment of, and
proposals to establish, commemorative
works in the District of Columbia and its
environs, as well as such other matters
as it may deem appropriate concerning
commemorative works.
The Commission examines each
memorial proposal for conformance to
the Commemorative Works Act, and
makes recommendations to the
Secretary and the Administrator and to
Members and Committees of Congress.
The Commission also serves as a source
of information for persons seeking to
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
75559
establish memorials in Washington, DC,
and its environs.
The members of the Commission are
as follows:
Director, National Park Service;
Administrator, General Services
Administration;
Chairman, National Capital Planning
Commission;
Chairman, Commission of Fine Arts;
Mayor of the District of Columbia;
Architect of the Capitol;
Chairman, American Battle Monuments
Commission;
Secretary of Defense.
The agenda for the meeting is as
follows:
(1) Memorial to the Victims of the
1932–1933 Ukrainian FamineGenocide—Design consultation.
(2) Memorial to President John
Adams—Alternative Sites Study
consultation. Please contact National
Park Service Monuments and Memorials
Specialist Glenn DeMarr at (202) 619–
7027 or glenn_demarr@nps.gov for
specific information regarding sites
under consideration.
(3) Review of H.R. 3278, a bill to
authorize the Fair Housing Foundation
to establish a commemorative work to
commemorate the national significance
of the fair housing movement in
America.
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and
is open to the public. Persons who wish
to file a written statement or testify at
the meeting or who want further
information concerning the meeting
may contact Ms. Nancy Young,
Secretary to the Commission. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Dated: November 7, 2011.
Stephen E. Whitesell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2011–31042 Filed 12–1–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–JK–P
E:\FR\FM\02DEN1.SGM
02DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75558-75559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31024]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-PWR-PWRO-1002-8566; 8826-1016-600]
Environmental Impact Statement for Restoration of the Mariposa
Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, Madera, Mariposa,
Mono, and Tuolumne Counties, CA
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of
Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park. This EIS addresses
implementation of actions called for in the 1980 General Management
Plan (GMP), presenting comprehensive design alternatives for restoring
natural conditions in the Mariposa Grove, as well as improving visitor
experience and access within the Grove and at the nearby South Entrance
to the park. The NPS is initiating public scoping and consultation with
interested members of the public, agencies, and federally recognized
American Indian Tribes traditionally associated with the area to help
identify topics, issues, and concerns for consideration in the EIS.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 3, 2012.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1864, Congress passed landmark
legislation preserving both the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and
the Yosemite Valley. This was the first time Congress set aside public
lands for the express purpose of preserving scenic and natural values,
stating that these areas ``shall be held for public use, resort, and
recreation * * * inalienable for all time'' (Act of June 30, 1864, 13
Stat. 325). Giant sequoia groves occur sporadically on the western
slope of the Sierra Nevada as remnants of more extensive forests that
existed thousands of years ago. These impressive trees are known for
their massive size and longevity. The Mariposa Grove comprises about
500 mature giant sequoia trees in an upper and lower grove. It is the
largest of three giant sequoia groves within the park. Distribution of
the trees is limited by several factors including surface water,
typically supplied by melting snow; soil and air moisture; temperature;
and ground water. Giant sequoias have expansive but shallow root
systems that can reach up to one hundred feet from the base of the
tree. Fire plays an important role in giant sequoia ecology, creating
canopy openings and releasing soil nutrients needed for seedling
establishment. Fire scars on the trees indicate that fires occurred at
intervals of approximately 3-15 years within the Mariposa Grove until
the late 19th century.
The Mariposa Grove is home to several special-status species,
including the pacific fisher (Martes pennanti, a candidate for federal
listing as a threatened or endangered species), California spotted owls
(Strix occidentalis occidentalis), Bolander's woodreed (Cinna
bolanderi), mountain lady's slipper (Cypripedium montanum), and
Coleman's piperia (Piperia colemanii). Cultural resources in the area
include archaeological resources and several historic properties either
in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic
Places. Historic resources include (1) the Mariposa Grove, a historic
district that includes the loop road, several trails, the Civilian
Conservation Corps-era comfort station, and the Grove Museum
(individually listed), and (2) the South Entrance Station, a historic
district that includes the comfort station, ranger residence/garage and
the entrance checking station. The Mariposa Grove Road will be assessed
for its eligibility for listing in the National Register as part of the
project. Non-historic structures and sites within the Grove include the
parking areas, gift shop, ticket booth, tram staging area, fueling
station, vault toilets, shuttle stops and bus parking areas, several
trails, and communications equipment.
Site Management History: Paved roads, parking areas, a campground,
and other infrastructure were constructed within the Mariposa Grove
from the 1930s to the 1970s. Since then, management practices have
evolved along with our understanding of ecology and giant sequoias.
After nearly a century of fire suppression, prescribed fire was
reintroduced to the Mariposa Grove in 1971, as resource managers
recognized that heavy fuel build-up could threaten its survival.
Growing concerns about visitation impacts also led to the decision to
prohibit private vehicles in the Upper Grove. In the 1980 General
Management Plan (GMP), Yosemite National Park outlined goals and
actions to protect and restore the Mariposa Grove and improve the
nearby south entrance to the park. Some projects have been implemented,
such as removal of the campground and lodge. However, several major
actions have yet to be fully designed or implemented, such as
relocating parking from the Lower Grove, improving facilities,
upgrading utilities, and redesigning the South Entrance Station.
Purpose and Need: Comprehensive actions are needed to ensure that
the Mariposa Grove continues to thrive and provide inspiration and
enjoyment for future generations. Primary goals of this project are to
restore degraded habitat and natural processes critical to the long-
term health of the Mariposa Grove, and to improve the overall
experience for visitors. Existing conditions affecting the health of
the Mariposa Grove include (1) roads and other infrastructure are
disrupting natural water flows, (2) facilities in the Lower Grove--a
parking lot for over 100 vehicles, a tram staging area, fueling
station, fuel storage tanks, generators, and a gift shop--are
encroaching on sequoias and their habitat, and (3) foot and vehicle
traffic have compacted soils and exposed shallow sequoia roots.
Stressed trees are less resilient and more susceptible to external
threats such as disease, wildfire from surrounding areas, and effects
from climate change.
Existing conditions affecting the visitor experience include (1)
inadequate information exists to properly orient visitors upon arrival
to the park or the Mariposa Grove, (2) road configuration at the South
Entrance and entrance to the Mariposa Grove is confusing, (3) the
parking lot fills to capacity early in the day, forcing temporary
closures of the lot and road, (4) long lines form at the kiosks and
intersection as visitors attempt to get information, find parking, or
turn around due to lot and road closure, (5) shuttles from Wawona to
the Mariposa Grove are often already full when they arrive at the South
Entrance Station shuttle stop, and (6) trails and facilities need
improvements for accessibility.
Conditions affecting visitor and employee safety include (1)
pedestrian crossings to and from the facilities and parking are
undefined and hazardous amid the traffic congestion, (2) small entrance
station kiosks have insufficient space for employee safety,
accessibility, or comfort while working long shifts, (3) multiple left
turn lanes crossing one another at the South Entrance Station
[[Page 75559]]
increase potential for accidents, and (4) large vehicles have
difficulty making the turn to exit the park, sometimes striking
barriers and kiosks.
To address these issues, the NPS will be developing a range of
alternatives to restore the Mariposa Grove and improve visitor
experience, consistent with goals outlined in the GMP. Grove
restoration treatment plans will be informed by existing and ongoing
scientific research and monitoring. Site design alternatives may
include actions such as (1) relocating the parking lot away from the
giant sequoias, (2) improving trails and transportation access within
and to the Grove, (3) repairing, replacing, and/or removing
deteriorating infrastructure and utilities, (4) redesigning traffic
circulation, and (5) accommodating parking in the vicinity of South
Entrance, with visitor orientation information and shuttle stops.
The EIS will describe and analyze a no-action alternative (maintain
current management, roads, and facilities) and several action
alternatives for restoring the health of the Mariposa Grove.
Alternatives will be developed consistent with applicable federal,
state, and local regulations, NPS policies, and relevant park plans,
including the Merced River Plan (in progress). All alternatives will
include methods to minimize or avoid adverse effects to natural,
cultural, and historic resources, and the ``environmentally preferred''
course of action will be identified.
Written comments may be submitted online at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/mariposagrove. Alternately, letters may be mailed
to the Superintendent, Attn: Mariposa Grove EIS, P.O. Box 577,
Yosemite, CA 95389. Comments may also be submitted in person, during
business hours, to the Superintendent's Office in the Valley
Administration Building or the Office of Environmental Planning and
Compliance, 5083 Foresta Road, El Portal, CA, or may be hand-delivered
at the open house.
To learn more about the proposed restoration, the public is invited
to attend any of the regularly scheduled park planning open houses. In
addition, current project information will be posted at https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mgrove.htm, or may be obtained by telephone
at the Yosemite Office of Environmental Planning and Compliance (209)
379-1002.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Dated: November 4, 2011.
Cynthia L. Ip,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-31024 Filed 12-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FY-P
