Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan, Yosemite National Park, Madera, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne Counties, California, 5490-5492 [2013-01464]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices
during which the public may address
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the number of individuals wishing to
comment and time available, the time
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recognize public land partners and
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Jenna Whitlock,
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[FR Doc. 2013–01572 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Douglas J. Burger,
District Manager.
Bureau of Land Management
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Notice of Public Meeting, Pecos
District Resource Advisory Council
Meeting, New Mexico
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
National Park Service
Interior.
Notice of public meeting.
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–10629;
PX.P0131800B.00.1]
In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972, the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Land Management (BLM), Pecos District
Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will
meet as indicated below.
DATES: The meeting is on February 26–
27, 2013, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be at the
Bureau of Land Management Roswell
Field Office, 2909 West 2nd Street,
Roswell, NM, on February 26, with an
optional tour for RAC members of offhighway vehicle management areas on
February 27. The public may send
written comments to the RAC, 2909 W.
2nd Street, Roswell, NM 88201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Betty Hicks, Pecos District, Bureau of
Land Management, 2909 W. 2nd Street,
Roswell, NM 88201, 575–627–0242.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 10member RAC advises the Secretary of
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Management, on a variety of planning
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Buried Utilities, Information on the
Lesser prairie chicken, Discussion of
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A half-hour public comment period
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River
Comprehensive Management Plan,
Yosemite National Park, Madera,
Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne
Counties, California
ACTION:
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SUMMARY:
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National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to § 102(2) (C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, as amended), and
the Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR part 1500–1508),
the National Park Service has prepared
a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for the proposed Tuolumne Wild
and Scenic River Comprehensive
Management Plan (TRPCMP). The
TRPCMP/DEIS addresses requirements
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Pub.
L. 90–542, as amended) (WSRA), and
will provide long-term guidance for
management of the 54 miles of the
Tuolumne River that flows through
Yosemite National Park. The DEIS
evaluates potential environmental
consequences of implementing a range
of alternatives, including a no-action
(continue with current management)
alternative and five action alternatives.
Both the agency-preferred and
environmentally preferred alternatives
are identified.
The purpose of the TRPCMP is to
guide the park in protecting the river’s
free-flowing character and the values
that make it worthy of designation by (1)
reviewing and updating river corridor
boundaries and segment classifications,
(2) prescribing a process for the
protection of the river’s free-flowing
condition, (3) identifying and
documenting the condition of the river’s
outstandingly remarkable values, (4)
establishing management objectives for
river values and a monitoring program
SUMMARY:
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for ensuring the objectives are met, (5)
identifying management actions needed
to protect and enhance river values, and
(6) defining visitor use and user
capacity for the river corridor. Portions
of the 1980 Yosemite General
Management Plan (GMP) addressing
management inside the Tuolumne Wild
and Scenic River corridor also will be
updated; specific GMP amendments are
outlined in the DEIS.
Proposal and Alternatives: Based on a
thorough examination of the river’s
baseline conditions, the TRPCMP/DEIS
presents a multi-faceted approach to
river management and stewardship.
Because of the WSRA mandate to
‘‘protect and enhance’’ river values,
most of the plan’s contents are common
to all the action alternatives, including
(1) all WSRA management elements
(boundaries, classifications, § 7
determination process), (2) an ecological
restoration program and other
management actions, (3) a monitoring
program, and (3) a user capacity
management program. As discussed in
detail in the DEIS, Alternative 5 is
deemed to be the environmentally
preferred course of action.
Since the conservation planning and
environmental impact analysis process
began in 2005, the TRPCMP/DEIS has
been methodically developed by park
subject-matter experts, with attention to
information provided by culturallyassociated American Indian tribes,
gateway communities, nonprofit
organizations, and interested members
of the public. Throughout the early
conservation planning and
environmental impact analysis effort,
information was sought at over 127
public meetings, workshops, and
presentations. At these events, the
public was invited to share ideas that
could be used in the development of a
range of alternatives that would achieve
NPS goals, while ensuring accessibility,
public safety, resource protection, and
protection and enhancement of river
values.
As noted above, a no-action
alternative and five action alternatives
for managing the Tuolumne Wild and
Scenic River are identified and
analyzed. The five action alternatives
represent the primary themes expressed
during public scoping. Potential impacts
are analyzed and appropriate mitigation
measures are assessed for each
alternative. Per WSRA direction, all of
the action alternatives would protect
and enhance the values for which the
Tuolumne was designated, including its
free-flowing condition, excellent water
quality, and outstandingly remarkable
values. In addition, all action
alternatives would preserve and sustain
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices
wilderness character, including natural
ecosystem function and opportunities
for primitive recreation in the more than
90 percent of the river corridor that is
classified wild per the WSRA (some
portions are also located in designated
wilderness). Differences among the
alternatives revolve primarily around a
range of desired visitor experiences,
levels of facilities needed to protect and
enhance river values in Tuolumne
Meadows and Glen Aulin, and use
levels throughout the river corridor. The
scenic segment below O’Shaughnessy
Dam and the Tioga Road corridor east of
Tuolumne Meadows would be managed
the same under all the action
alternatives in a manner that is
protective of river values.
The guidance for those segments of
the river classified as wild (which are
also part of congressionally designated
wilderness) are similar under all the
alternatives, although differences in
visitor use management are identified
and assessed. All alternatives
accommodate traditional cultural
practices by American Indian tribes.
Numeric user capacities differ among
the alternatives, based on the types of
visitor experiences, levels of facilities
needed to protect river values, and
actions taken to achieve the various
objectives. Day and overnight capacities
for the entire river corridor—and the
actions required to manage to proposed
capacities—are considered for all
alternatives.
No Action Alternative. Continuing
current management and trends would
result in additional localized impacts
associated with roadside parking in
Tuolumne Meadows and facilities
located in sensitive riverine locations.
Common to Action Alternatives. In
response to public comments and in
keeping with findings related to
baseline conditions, all action
alternatives call for an ecological
restoration program, elimination of
roadside parking in Tuolumne Meadows
with slight expansion of existing
parking areas, elimination of social
trails in meadows and riparian areas,
removal of concessioner housing from
sensitive areas, relocation of the
Cathedral Lakes trailhead to the current
visitor center location, retention of the
Tuolumne Meadows campground, and
either no expansion or a reduction of
overnight lodging.
Alternative 1. Alternative 1 responds
to those members of the public who
advocated emphasis on primitive and
self-reliant experiences in the river
corridor while providing a wilderness
staging area and a focal point for High
Sierra interpretation and education at
Tuolumne Meadows. Subalpine
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meadow and riparian areas would be
protected from visitor-related impacts
by restoring informal trails, mitigating
the hydrologic impacts caused by
historic trail segments, and eliminating
all facilities except trails and roads from
meadow and riparian areas. Most
amenities and commercial services
would be discontinued at Tuolumne
Meadows, including the store and grill,
gas station, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge,
and trail rides. The Glen Aulin High
Sierra Camp would be removed and the
area restored to natural conditions.
Overall, use levels in the river corridor
would be the lowest in the range of
alternatives considered.
Alternative 2. Alternative 2 responds
to those members of the public who
voiced a desire for a greater diversity of
day use opportunities (including limited
kayaking, by permit) and a modest
increase in campground capacity, while
retaining the rustic lodges at Tuolumne
Meadows and Glen Aulin. This
alternative would facilitate resource
enjoyment and stewardship by a broad
spectrum of visitors, including people
discovering the area for the first time, by
encouraging short interpretive walks
and picnicking. To facilitate these
connections, a picnic and parking area
would be located across from the
Parsons Lodge trailhead on Tioga Road.
The visitor center and other core visitor
services would be co-located at the site
of the existing Tuolumne Meadows
store. Overall, use levels in the river
corridor would be the highest in the
range of alternatives considered, and
river values would be protected by
directing visitors to those areas most
able to withstand use.
Alternative 3. Alternative 3 responds
to those members of the public who
desired a Tuolumne experience largely
the same as today, while facilitating the
changes needed to protect and enhance
river values. Alternative 3 would
emphasize the historic character of
Tuolumne, while providing
opportunities for visitors to connect
with the river through its historic
landscape character and traditional,
unconfined experiences. Wildernessoriented recreational opportunities
would be encouraged and river-related
systems would be sustained by natural
ecological processes. Most facilities at
Tuolumne Meadows would remain in
their dispersed locations, however some
may be relocated to protect sensitive
areas. Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp
would remain at a slightly reduced
capacity. Overall, use levels would fall
within the middle of the range of
alternatives considered.
Alternative 4. Alternative 4 responds
to those members of the public who
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5491
wanted visitor activities and amenities
to be secondary to protecting and
enhancing the integrity and connectivity
of river-related ecological communities,
particularly at Tuolumne Meadows. The
rustic lodge at Tuolumne Meadows
would be reduced to half its current
capacity and other commercial services
would be eliminated, including the gas
station and commercial day rides.
Facilities and like functions at
Tuolumne Meadows would be
consolidated and visitor experiences
would be facilitated in a manner that
connects people with the river and
emphasizes the importance of protecting
meadow and riparian ecosystems.
Capacity at the Glen Aulin High Sierra
Camp would be reduced. Overall, use
levels would fall within the middle of
the range of alternatives considered, and
management of visitor use would be
intensive, including possible closures to
facilitate ecological recovery.
Alternative 5. Alternative 5 (agencypreferred and environmentally
preferred) would combine elements
from alternatives 2, 3 and 4, to balance
greater protection of ecological
communities while allowing for
traditional wilderness-oriented visitor
experiences. While most visitor services
would remain, the gas station and
concessioner trail rides would be
eliminated. A small visitor contact
station, picnic and parking area would
be located across from the Parsons
Lodge trailhead on Tioga Road. Glen
Aulin High Sierra Camp would be
reduced to nearly half its current
capacity. Overall, use levels would fall
within the middle of the range of
alternatives considered, and
management of visitor use would be
intensive, including possible closures to
facilitate ecological recovery.
Since some portions of the DEIS
planning area have historic structures or
are located in designated wilderness,
appendices are included which address
(1) role of 1999 and 2008 programmatic
agreements between Yosemite NP and
the State Historic Preservation Office in
protecting and managing historic
structures, and (2) the extent to which
commercial services are necessary in
wilderness.
Public Involvement. On July 10, 2006,
the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS
was published in the Federal Register,
formally initiating a 60-day public
scoping period. At that time a letter
from the Superintendent was sent to
over 6,000 interested members of the
public on the park’s Planning Mailing
list, soliciting ideas, issues, and
concerns relating to the scope of this
planning effort. Press releases were sent
to local and regional newspapers
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices
announcing details of the 60-day public
scoping period, including information
about public meetings. In July and
August 2006, a series of thirteen public
scoping meetings were held; in
addition, an on-site visit was hosted in
Tuolumne Meadows on August 29,
2006. In addition to local and regional
press media, public meetings were
publicized on the park’s Web site,
through emailed notices on the park’s
electronic newsletter, and on various
state-wide online bulletin boards. The
scoping period was extended for an
additional two weeks in deference to
public requests.
Overall there were 457 public
responses (including letters, faxes,
emails, comment forms, and public
meeting flip-chart notes), and over 4,000
individual comments. From 2006–2010
over 127 public meetings, presentations,
workshops, field visits, and open houses
were conducted in support of
preparation of the Tuolumne River Plan.
These included all-tribes meetings,
public work sessions to parallel
planning team work sessions (known as
‘‘Planner-for-a-Day’’ workshops),
socioeconomic workshops held in
gateway communities, open houses and
other public forums, meetings with park
staff, and presentations to other land
management agencies and stakeholder
groups. The park’s Web site served as a
central repository for not only
information about the plan’s status, but
various products for public comment—
including two separate workbooks
devoted to release of preliminary
concepts and early alternatives.
How to Comment: All comments must
be transmitted or postmarked not later
than 60 days from the date the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency
publishes their notice of filing of the
DEIS in the Federal Register.
Immediately upon confirmation of this
date it will be announced via local and
regional news media, through direct
mailings, and posted on the project Web
sites. Written comments should be
mailed to: Superintendent, Yosemite
National Park, Attn: Tuolumne River
Plan DEIS, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite,
California 95389. If preferred, comments
also may be transmitted electronically
through the https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_trp Web
site.
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
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information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
During the public review period
public meetings will be hosted in
Yosemite gateway communities, as well
as in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne
Meadows; Web-based meetings will also
take place. Public site visits may be
offered during the public review period,
depending upon weather conditions. All
meeting and site visit locations and
dates will be announced similarly as
noted above for the comment due date,
and will be included in the Yosemite
electronic newsletter and posted on the
Yosemite National Park Web site
https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/
trp.htm.
Limited printed and CD copies of the
TRPCMP/DEIS will be available, and
may be requested by email
(yose_planning@nps.gov) or telephone
at (209) 379–1110. The document will
be sent directly to congressional
delegations, state and local elected
officials, federal and state agencies,
tribes, organizations, local businesses,
public libraries, and the news media.
Printed copies can be viewed at local
and regional libraries (i.e., El Portal,
Mariposa, Oakhurst, Sonora, San
Francisco, and Los Angeles). Electronic
versions will be available online at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_trp,
or may be accessed through the
Yosemite National Park Web site
https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/
trp.htm.
Decision Process: All comments
received on the TRPCMP/DEIS will be
duly considered in preparing the Final
EIS. The Final EIS is expected to be
available in early 2013; availability of
the document will be announced in a
manner similar to that used for the
DEIS, including publication of a notice
of availability in the Federal Register. A
Record of Decision would be prepared
not sooner than 30 days after release of
the Final EIS. Because this is a
delegated EIS, the official responsible
for approving the final plan is the
Regional Director, Pacific West Region,
National Park Service; subsequently the
official responsible for implementation
of the approved Tuolumne Wild and
Scenic River Comprehensive
Management Plan will be the
Superintendent, Yosemite National
Park.
Dated: November 26, 2012.
George J. Turnbull,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2013–01464 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–11522;
PX.P0131800B.00.1]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for Merced Wild and Scenic River
Comprehensive Management Plan,
Yosemite National Park, Madera and
Mariposa Counties, CA
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), and the
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR part 1500–1508),
the National Park Service (NPS) has
prepared a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the proposed
Merced Wild and Scenic River
Comprehensive Management Plan
(Merced River Plan). The Merced River
Plan will fulfill the requirements of the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 U.S.C.
1271–1287, and will provide long-term
protection of river values and a user
capacity management program for 81
miles of the Merced River that flow
through Yosemite National Park and the
El Portal Administrative Site.
Consistent with the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (WSRA), the purposes of the
Merced River Plan/DEIS 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 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/DEIS
evaluates the potential adverse and
beneficial environmental consequences
of implementing a range of five action
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5490-5492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01464]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-PWR-PWRO-10629; PX.P0131800B.00.1]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Tuolumne Wild and Scenic
River Comprehensive Management Plan, Yosemite National Park, Madera,
Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne Counties, California
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National
Park Service has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the proposed Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive
Management Plan (TRPCMP). The TRPCMP/DEIS addresses requirements of the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Pub. L. 90-542, as amended) (WSRA), and
will provide long-term guidance for management of the 54 miles of the
Tuolumne River that flows through Yosemite National Park. The DEIS
evaluates potential environmental consequences of implementing a range
of alternatives, including a no-action (continue with current
management) alternative and five action alternatives. Both the agency-
preferred and environmentally preferred alternatives are identified.
The purpose of the TRPCMP is to guide the park in protecting the
river's free-flowing character and the values that make it worthy of
designation by (1) reviewing and updating river corridor boundaries and
segment classifications, (2) prescribing a process for the protection
of the river's free-flowing condition, (3) identifying and documenting
the condition of the river's outstandingly remarkable values, (4)
establishing management objectives for river values and a monitoring
program for ensuring the objectives are met, (5) identifying management
actions needed to protect and enhance river values, and (6) defining
visitor use and user capacity for the river corridor. Portions of the
1980 Yosemite General Management Plan (GMP) addressing management
inside the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River corridor also will be
updated; specific GMP amendments are outlined in the DEIS.
Proposal and Alternatives: Based on a thorough examination of the
river's baseline conditions, the TRPCMP/DEIS presents a multi-faceted
approach to river management and stewardship. Because of the WSRA
mandate to ``protect and enhance'' river values, most of the plan's
contents are common to all the action alternatives, including (1) all
WSRA management elements (boundaries, classifications, Sec. 7
determination process), (2) an ecological restoration program and other
management actions, (3) a monitoring program, and (3) a user capacity
management program. As discussed in detail in the DEIS, Alternative 5
is deemed to be the environmentally preferred course of action.
Since the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis
process began in 2005, the TRPCMP/DEIS has been methodically developed
by park subject-matter experts, with attention to information provided
by culturally-associated American Indian tribes, gateway communities,
nonprofit organizations, and interested members of the public.
Throughout the early conservation planning and environmental impact
analysis effort, information was sought at over 127 public meetings,
workshops, and presentations. At these events, the public was invited
to share ideas that could be used in the development of a range of
alternatives that would achieve NPS goals, while ensuring
accessibility, public safety, resource protection, and protection and
enhancement of river values.
As noted above, a no-action alternative and five action
alternatives for managing the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River are
identified and analyzed. The five action alternatives represent the
primary themes expressed during public scoping. Potential impacts are
analyzed and appropriate mitigation measures are assessed for each
alternative. Per WSRA direction, all of the action alternatives would
protect and enhance the values for which the Tuolumne was designated,
including its free-flowing condition, excellent water quality, and
outstandingly remarkable values. In addition, all action alternatives
would preserve and sustain
[[Page 5491]]
wilderness character, including natural ecosystem function and
opportunities for primitive recreation in the more than 90 percent of
the river corridor that is classified wild per the WSRA (some portions
are also located in designated wilderness). Differences among the
alternatives revolve primarily around a range of desired visitor
experiences, levels of facilities needed to protect and enhance river
values in Tuolumne Meadows and Glen Aulin, and use levels throughout
the river corridor. The scenic segment below O'Shaughnessy Dam and the
Tioga Road corridor east of Tuolumne Meadows would be managed the same
under all the action alternatives in a manner that is protective of
river values.
The guidance for those segments of the river classified as wild
(which are also part of congressionally designated wilderness) are
similar under all the alternatives, although differences in visitor use
management are identified and assessed. All alternatives accommodate
traditional cultural practices by American Indian tribes. Numeric user
capacities differ among the alternatives, based on the types of visitor
experiences, levels of facilities needed to protect river values, and
actions taken to achieve the various objectives. Day and overnight
capacities for the entire river corridor--and the actions required to
manage to proposed capacities--are considered for all alternatives.
No Action Alternative. Continuing current management and trends
would result in additional localized impacts associated with roadside
parking in Tuolumne Meadows and facilities located in sensitive
riverine locations.
Common to Action Alternatives. In response to public comments and
in keeping with findings related to baseline conditions, all action
alternatives call for an ecological restoration program, elimination of
roadside parking in Tuolumne Meadows with slight expansion of existing
parking areas, elimination of social trails in meadows and riparian
areas, removal of concessioner housing from sensitive areas, relocation
of the Cathedral Lakes trailhead to the current visitor center
location, retention of the Tuolumne Meadows campground, and either no
expansion or a reduction of overnight lodging.
Alternative 1. Alternative 1 responds to those members of the
public who advocated emphasis on primitive and self-reliant experiences
in the river corridor while providing a wilderness staging area and a
focal point for High Sierra interpretation and education at Tuolumne
Meadows. Subalpine meadow and riparian areas would be protected from
visitor-related impacts by restoring informal trails, mitigating the
hydrologic impacts caused by historic trail segments, and eliminating
all facilities except trails and roads from meadow and riparian areas.
Most amenities and commercial services would be discontinued at
Tuolumne Meadows, including the store and grill, gas station, Tuolumne
Meadows Lodge, and trail rides. The Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would
be removed and the area restored to natural conditions. Overall, use
levels in the river corridor would be the lowest in the range of
alternatives considered.
Alternative 2. Alternative 2 responds to those members of the
public who voiced a desire for a greater diversity of day use
opportunities (including limited kayaking, by permit) and a modest
increase in campground capacity, while retaining the rustic lodges at
Tuolumne Meadows and Glen Aulin. This alternative would facilitate
resource enjoyment and stewardship by a broad spectrum of visitors,
including people discovering the area for the first time, by
encouraging short interpretive walks and picnicking. To facilitate
these connections, a picnic and parking area would be located across
from the Parsons Lodge trailhead on Tioga Road. The visitor center and
other core visitor services would be co-located at the site of the
existing Tuolumne Meadows store. Overall, use levels in the river
corridor would be the highest in the range of alternatives considered,
and river values would be protected by directing visitors to those
areas most able to withstand use.
Alternative 3. Alternative 3 responds to those members of the
public who desired a Tuolumne experience largely the same as today,
while facilitating the changes needed to protect and enhance river
values. Alternative 3 would emphasize the historic character of
Tuolumne, while providing opportunities for visitors to connect with
the river through its historic landscape character and traditional,
unconfined experiences. Wilderness-oriented recreational opportunities
would be encouraged and river-related systems would be sustained by
natural ecological processes. Most facilities at Tuolumne Meadows would
remain in their dispersed locations, however some may be relocated to
protect sensitive areas. Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would remain at a
slightly reduced capacity. Overall, use levels would fall within the
middle of the range of alternatives considered.
Alternative 4. Alternative 4 responds to those members of the
public who wanted visitor activities and amenities to be secondary to
protecting and enhancing the integrity and connectivity of river-
related ecological communities, particularly at Tuolumne Meadows. The
rustic lodge at Tuolumne Meadows would be reduced to half its current
capacity and other commercial services would be eliminated, including
the gas station and commercial day rides. Facilities and like functions
at Tuolumne Meadows would be consolidated and visitor experiences would
be facilitated in a manner that connects people with the river and
emphasizes the importance of protecting meadow and riparian ecosystems.
Capacity at the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would be reduced. Overall,
use levels would fall within the middle of the range of alternatives
considered, and management of visitor use would be intensive, including
possible closures to facilitate ecological recovery.
Alternative 5. Alternative 5 (agency-preferred and environmentally
preferred) would combine elements from alternatives 2, 3 and 4, to
balance greater protection of ecological communities while allowing for
traditional wilderness-oriented visitor experiences. While most visitor
services would remain, the gas station and concessioner trail rides
would be eliminated. A small visitor contact station, picnic and
parking area would be located across from the Parsons Lodge trailhead
on Tioga Road. Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would be reduced to nearly
half its current capacity. Overall, use levels would fall within the
middle of the range of alternatives considered, and management of
visitor use would be intensive, including possible closures to
facilitate ecological recovery.
Since some portions of the DEIS planning area have historic
structures or are located in designated wilderness, appendices are
included which address (1) role of 1999 and 2008 programmatic
agreements between Yosemite NP and the State Historic Preservation
Office in protecting and managing historic structures, and (2) the
extent to which commercial services are necessary in wilderness.
Public Involvement. On July 10, 2006, the Notice of Intent to
prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register, formally
initiating a 60-day public scoping period. At that time a letter from
the Superintendent was sent to over 6,000 interested members of the
public on the park's Planning Mailing list, soliciting ideas, issues,
and concerns relating to the scope of this planning effort. Press
releases were sent to local and regional newspapers
[[Page 5492]]
announcing details of the 60-day public scoping period, including
information about public meetings. In July and August 2006, a series of
thirteen public scoping meetings were held; in addition, an on-site
visit was hosted in Tuolumne Meadows on August 29, 2006. In addition to
local and regional press media, public meetings were publicized on the
park's Web site, through emailed notices on the park's electronic
newsletter, and on various state-wide online bulletin boards. The
scoping period was extended for an additional two weeks in deference to
public requests.
Overall there were 457 public responses (including letters, faxes,
emails, comment forms, and public meeting flip-chart notes), and over
4,000 individual comments. From 2006-2010 over 127 public meetings,
presentations, workshops, field visits, and open houses were conducted
in support of preparation of the Tuolumne River Plan. These included
all-tribes meetings, public work sessions to parallel planning team
work sessions (known as ``Planner-for-a-Day'' workshops), socioeconomic
workshops held in gateway communities, open houses and other public
forums, meetings with park staff, and presentations to other land
management agencies and stakeholder groups. The park's Web site served
as a central repository for not only information about the plan's
status, but various products for public comment--including two separate
workbooks devoted to release of preliminary concepts and early
alternatives.
How to Comment: All comments must be transmitted or postmarked not
later than 60 days from the date the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency publishes their notice of filing of the DEIS in the Federal
Register. Immediately upon confirmation of this date it will be
announced via local and regional news media, through direct mailings,
and posted on the project Web sites. Written comments should be mailed
to: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attn: Tuolumne River Plan
DEIS, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, California 95389. If preferred, comments
also may be transmitted electronically through the https://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_trp Web site.
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.
During the public review period public meetings will be hosted in
Yosemite gateway communities, as well as in Yosemite Valley and
Tuolumne Meadows; Web-based meetings will also take place. Public site
visits may be offered during the public review period, depending upon
weather conditions. All meeting and site visit locations and dates will
be announced similarly as noted above for the comment due date, and
will be included in the Yosemite electronic newsletter and posted on
the Yosemite National Park Web site https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm.
Limited printed and CD copies of the TRPCMP/DEIS will be available,
and may be requested by email (yose_planning@nps.gov) or telephone at
(209) 379-1110. The document will be sent directly to congressional
delegations, state and local elected officials, federal and state
agencies, tribes, organizations, local businesses, public libraries,
and the news media. Printed copies can be viewed at local and regional
libraries (i.e., El Portal, Mariposa, Oakhurst, Sonora, San Francisco,
and Los Angeles). Electronic versions will be available online at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_trp, or may be accessed through the
Yosemite National Park Web site https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm.
Decision Process: All comments received on the TRPCMP/DEIS will be
duly considered in preparing the Final EIS. The Final EIS is expected
to be available in early 2013; availability of the document will be
announced in a manner similar to that used for the DEIS, including
publication of a notice of availability in the Federal Register. A
Record of Decision would be prepared not sooner than 30 days after
release of the Final EIS. Because this is a delegated EIS, the official
responsible for approving the final plan is the Regional Director,
Pacific West Region, National Park Service; subsequently the official
responsible for implementation of the approved Tuolumne Wild and Scenic
River Comprehensive Management Plan will be the Superintendent,
Yosemite National Park.
Dated: November 26, 2012.
George J. Turnbull,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-01464 Filed 1-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FY-P
