Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan, Yosemite National Park, Madera and Mariposa Counties, California, 10836-10837 [2014-04061]
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10836
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices
Dated: February 21, 2014.
Doris Lowry,
Acting Information Collection Clearance
Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–04175 Filed 2–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–EH–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–14407;
PX.P0131800B.00.1]
Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the Merced Wild and Scenic River
Comprehensive Management Plan,
Yosemite National Park, Madera and
Mariposa Counties, California
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), and consistent with the
National Historic Preservation Act of
1966 (NHPA), the National Park Service
(NPS) has prepared the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Final
EIS) for the proposed Merced Wild and
Scenic River Comprehensive
Management Plan (Merced River Plan).
The Merced River Plan fulfills the
requirements of the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (Pub. L. 100–149, as
amended) and will provide long-term
protection of river values and establish
a user capacity management program for
81 miles of the Merced River that flow
through Yosemite National Park and the
El Portal Administrative Site.
DATES: The NPS will execute a Record
of Decision not sooner than 30 days
after the date the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency publishes its notice
of filing of the Final EIS for the Merced
River Plan in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathleen S. Morse, Planning Chief,
Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577,
Yosemite, CA 95389, (209) 379–1110.
Printed documents (quantities limited)
or CDs may be requested through email
(yose_planning@nps.gov) or by
telephone (209) 379–1110. In addition,
the Final EIS will be available for public
inspection at libraries in local
communities. Electronic versions will
be available at https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_mrp, as well
as through the Yosemite National Park
Web site at https://www.nps.gov/yose/
parkmgmt/mrp.htm.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Background
As defined by the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (WSRA), the purposes of the
Merced River Plan/Final EIS are to
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:24 Feb 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
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 § 7(a) of 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/riverdependent 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/Final EIS has
been developed through consultation
with traditionally-associated American
Indian tribes and groups, the State
Historic Preservation Officer, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, and other federal
and state agencies. Gateway
communities, organizations, and
interested members of the public have
provided more than 30,000 public
correspondences (including letters,
faxes, emails, comment forms, and
public meeting flip-chart notes). The
NPS has conducted more than 50 public
meetings, presentations, workshops,
field visits, and open houses in support
of the EIS process. Two preliminary
alternatives concepts workbooks were
distributed for public review and
comment prior to completion of the
draft Merced River Plan.
Based on a thorough examination of
the river’s baseline conditions at the
time of designation (1986), a multifaceted approach to river management
and stewardship has been proposed. To
address the WSRA mandate to protect
and enhance river values, many of the
plan’s actions would be common to all
the action alternatives, including: (1) All
WSRA management elements
(boundaries, classifications, § 7
determination process); (2) actions to
protect and enhance river values (e.g.,
ecological restoration components); (3)
removal and or relocation of numerous
facilities and services; (4) actions to
improve traffic circulation and reduce
congestion; (5) implementation of a
monitoring program that sets thresholds
for when management actions must be
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
taken to protect river values; and (6) a
user capacity management program.
Proposal and Alternatives
In keeping with the expressed
purpose and need for federal action, the
Merced River Plan/Final EIS evaluates
the foreseeable environmental
consequences of five action alternatives
and a No-Action alternative in
accordance with the NEPA, and assesses
the potential to cause adverse effects to
historic properties in accordance with
§ 106 of the NHPA. Actions called for in
the 1980 Yosemite General Management
Plan addressing management within the
river corridor would be amended and
are outlined in the Merced River Plan/
Final EIS. The action alternatives vary
primarily in the degree of restoration
and the amount of visitor use that could
be accommodated by the commensurate
level of facilities and services necessary
to protect river values.
Alternative 1 (No-Action) would
continue current management and
trends, including ongoing localized
effects associated with impacts to freeflowing condition of the river and
connectivity of meadows, development
near the river’s edge and floodplain, and
pedestrian-vehicle conflicts at major
intersections. In 2011, the peak daily
visitation recorded for East Yosemite
Valley was 20,900 people per day.
Alternative 2: Self-Reliant Visitor
Experiences and Extensive Floodplain
Restoration provides for restoration
within the 100-year floodplain,
significant reduction in facilities and
services, and significantly lower visitor
use than current conditions. Given the
conditions in this Alternative, visitation
to East Yosemite Valley would be
approximately 13,900 people per day.
Alternative 3: Dispersed Visitor
Experiences and Extensive Riverbank
Restoration provides for restoration
within 150 feet of the river, marked
reduction in visitor facilities and
services, and significantly lower visitor
use than current conditions. Given the
conditions in this Alternative, East
Yosemite Valley visitation would be
approximately 13,200 people per day.
Alternative 4: Resource-based Visitor
Experiences and Targeted Riverbank
Restoration provides for targeted
restoration within 150 feet of the river,
reduced commercial services with a
significant increase over current
camping opportunities, and slightly
lower visitor use levels. Given
conditions in this Alternative, East
Yosemite Valley visitation would be
approximately 17,000 people per day.
Alternative 5 (agency-preferred and
environmentally preferred): Enhanced
Visitor Experiences and Essential
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 38 / Wednesday, February 26, 2014 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Riverbank Restoration provides for
essential restoration within 100 feet of
the river, moderately increases current
camping opportunities, and
accommodates approximately the
current level of visitor use. Given the
conditions in this Alternative, East
Yosemite Valley visitation would be
approximately 20,100 people per day.
Changes incorporated in this alternative
based on public review of the Draft EIS
are summarized below.
Alternative 6: Diversified Visitor
Experiences and Selective Riverbank
Restoration provides for limited
restoration within 100 feet of the river,
expanded facilities and services with
the largest increase over current
camping opportunities, and
accommodation of some growth in
visitor use levels. Given conditions in
this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley
visitation would be approximately
21,800 people per day.
Changes Incorporated in Final EIS
In response to comments received on
the Draft EIS, some modifications have
been incorporated into Alternative 5
(key changes are listed below); all other
alternatives are substantially
unchanged.
• Revised the user capacity and
visitor use management program to
better articulate how river values,
transportation system performance, and
management objectives work together to
develop and monitor user capacities.
• Increased the number of sites at the
Upper and Lower River Campgrounds,
and eliminated proposed camping at
Eagle Creek. Added campsites to the
Abbieville/Trailer Village area and
increased the number of spaces at the
seasonally-available El Portal Remote
Parking Area.
• Retained the Ahwahnee and
Yosemite Lodge pools, relocated bike
rentals and ice skating facilities outside
the river corridor, provided raft rental
opportunities, and retained the
Housekeeping Camp store.
• Allowed commercial raft rentals in
Yosemite Valley and included a boating
capacity and additional boating
information for each open segment of
river.
• Removed the proposed Huff House
employee housing and redistributed
these units with additional permanent
housing at Lost Arrow, retained historic
housing in the Curry Village area, and
included new units in Rancheria Flat as
well as the El Portal Town Center.
• Included additional tour bus
parking at the West of Lodge parking
area and additional parking spaces in
areas such as east of the Yosemite Lodge
registration area and the current Curry
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:24 Feb 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
Village ice-rink location. Relocated
parking from West Valley Overflow
Parking Area to the El Portal Remote
Parking area where shuttle service to
Yosemite Valley would be provided.
Established a commercial tour bus and
transit capacity for Yosemite Valley.
• Further study will assess various
long-term management strategies for
Sugar Pine Bridge. If mitigation
measures fail to meet defined criteria for
success, consideration of bridge removal
would involve a public review process
and additional compliance.
• Clarified changes to Curry Village
overnight accommodations to reflect
recent changes due to the rockfall
hazard zone update.
• A tiered compliance effort will
evaluate alternatives to address a gradeseparated pedestrian crossing to address
traffic congestion at the Yosemite Lodge
intersection.
• Expanded the Yosemite Valley
Historic Resources ORV to include the
entire Yosemite Valley Historic District
and clarified specific sites where
monitoring will occur to protect and
enhance the Recreation ORV.
• Established a grazing capacity at
Merced Lake East Meadow and pack
stock limit for the Merced Lake High
Sierra Camp.
Decision Process
As noted above, not sooner than 30
days after the Environmental Protection
Agency notice is published in the
Federal Register, the National Park
Service will prepare a Record of
Decision. Because this is a delegated
EIS, the official responsible for approval
of the Merced River Plan is the Regional
Director, Pacific West Region, National
Park Service. Subsequently, the official
responsible for implementation of the
approved Merced River Plan is the
Superintendent, Yosemite National
Park.
Dated: November 4, 2013.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2014–04061 Filed 2–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–NER–BOHA–14837;
PPMPSPD1Z.YM0000; PPNEBOHAS1]
Boston Harbor Islands National
Recreation Area Advisory Council
Annual Meeting
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
10837
This notice announces the
annual meeting of the Boston Harbor
Islands National Recreation Area
Advisory Council.
DATES: The annual meeting of the
Boston Harbor Islands National
Recreation Area Advisory Council will
be held March 5, 2014, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. (EASTERN).
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
WilmerHale, 60 State Street, 26th floor,
Boston, MA 02109.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Giles Parker, Superintendent and
Designated Federal Officer (DFO),
Boston Harbor Islands National
Recreation Area, 15 State Street, Suite
1100, Boston, MA 02109, by telephone
(617) 223–8669, or email giles_parker@
nps.gov.
The agenda will include:
• Presentation on Youth Engagement in
the Park
• 2016 Anniversaries Update
• Update on Work at the Chapel on
Peddocks Island
• Election of Officers
• Park Updates
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Council was appointed by the Director
of the National Park Service pursuant to
Public Law 104–333. The purpose of the
Council is to advise and make
recommendations to the Boston Harbor
Islands Partnership with respect to the
implementation of a management plan
and park operations. Efforts have been
made locally to ensure that the
interested public is aware of the meeting
dates.
This meeting is open to the public.
Those wishing to submit written
comments may contact the DFO by mail
at National Park Service, Boston Harbor
Islands National Recreation Area, 15
State Street, Suite 1100, Boston, MA
02109, or via email: giles_parker@
nps.gov. 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 may 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.
This notice is being published less
than 15 days prior to the meeting due
to the special emphasis of the meeting.
SUMMARY:
Dated: February 21, 2014.
Alma Ripps,
Chief, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2014–04179 Filed 2–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–WV–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10836-10837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04061]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-PWR-PWRO-14407; PX.P0131800B.00.1]
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Merced Wild and
Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan, Yosemite National Park,
Madera and Mariposa Counties, California
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), and consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966 (NHPA), the National Park Service (NPS) has prepared the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed Merced Wild
and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan). The
Merced River Plan fulfills the requirements of the Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (Pub. L. 100-149, as amended) and will provide long-term
protection of river values and establish a user capacity management
program for 81 miles of the Merced River that flow through Yosemite
National Park and the El Portal Administrative Site.
DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision not sooner than 30
days after the date the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes
its notice of filing of the Final EIS for the Merced River Plan in the
Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen S. Morse, Planning Chief,
Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, (209) 379-
1110. Printed documents (quantities limited) or CDs may be requested
through email (yose_planning@nps.gov) or by telephone (209) 379-1110.
In addition, the Final EIS will be available for public inspection at
libraries in local communities. Electronic versions will be available
at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_mrp, as well as through the
Yosemite National Park Web site at https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mrp.htm.
Background
As defined by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA), the purposes
of the Merced River Plan/Final EIS 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 Sec. 7(a) of 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/Final EIS has been developed through
consultation with traditionally-associated American Indian tribes and
groups, the State Historic Preservation Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and other federal and state agencies. Gateway communities,
organizations, and interested members of the public have provided more
than 30,000 public correspondences (including letters, faxes, emails,
comment forms, and public meeting flip-chart notes). The NPS has
conducted more than 50 public meetings, presentations, workshops, field
visits, and open houses in support of the EIS process. Two preliminary
alternatives concepts workbooks were distributed for public review and
comment prior to completion of the draft Merced River Plan.
Based on a thorough examination of the river's baseline conditions
at the time of designation (1986), a multi-faceted approach to river
management and stewardship has been proposed. To address the WSRA
mandate to protect and enhance river values, many of the plan's actions
would be common to all the action alternatives, including: (1) All WSRA
management elements (boundaries, classifications, Sec. 7 determination
process); (2) actions to protect and enhance river values (e.g.,
ecological restoration components); (3) removal and or relocation of
numerous facilities and services; (4) actions to improve traffic
circulation and reduce congestion; (5) implementation of a monitoring
program that sets thresholds for when management actions must be taken
to protect river values; and (6) a user capacity management program.
Proposal and Alternatives
In keeping with the expressed purpose and need for federal action,
the Merced River Plan/Final EIS evaluates the foreseeable environmental
consequences of five action alternatives and a No-Action alternative in
accordance with the NEPA, and assesses the potential to cause adverse
effects to historic properties in accordance with Sec. 106 of the
NHPA. Actions called for in the 1980 Yosemite General Management Plan
addressing management within the river corridor would be amended and
are outlined in the Merced River Plan/Final EIS. The action
alternatives vary primarily in the degree of restoration and the amount
of visitor use that could be accommodated by the commensurate level of
facilities and services necessary to protect river values.
Alternative 1 (No-Action) would continue current management and
trends, including ongoing localized effects associated with impacts to
free-flowing condition of the river and connectivity of meadows,
development near the river's edge and floodplain, and pedestrian-
vehicle conflicts at major intersections. In 2011, the peak daily
visitation recorded for East Yosemite Valley was 20,900 people per day.
Alternative 2: Self-Reliant Visitor Experiences and Extensive
Floodplain Restoration provides for restoration within the 100-year
floodplain, significant reduction in facilities and services, and
significantly lower visitor use than current conditions. Given the
conditions in this Alternative, visitation to East Yosemite Valley
would be approximately 13,900 people per day.
Alternative 3: Dispersed Visitor Experiences and Extensive
Riverbank Restoration provides for restoration within 150 feet of the
river, marked reduction in visitor facilities and services, and
significantly lower visitor use than current conditions. Given the
conditions in this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley visitation would
be approximately 13,200 people per day.
Alternative 4: Resource-based Visitor Experiences and Targeted
Riverbank Restoration provides for targeted restoration within 150 feet
of the river, reduced commercial services with a significant increase
over current camping opportunities, and slightly lower visitor use
levels. Given conditions in this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley
visitation would be approximately 17,000 people per day.
Alternative 5 (agency-preferred and environmentally preferred):
Enhanced Visitor Experiences and Essential
[[Page 10837]]
Riverbank Restoration provides for essential restoration within 100
feet of the river, moderately increases current camping opportunities,
and accommodates approximately the current level of visitor use. Given
the conditions in this Alternative, East Yosemite Valley visitation
would be approximately 20,100 people per day. Changes incorporated in
this alternative based on public review of the Draft EIS are summarized
below.
Alternative 6: Diversified Visitor Experiences and Selective
Riverbank Restoration provides for limited restoration within 100 feet
of the river, expanded facilities and services with the largest
increase over current camping opportunities, and accommodation of some
growth in visitor use levels. Given conditions in this Alternative,
East Yosemite Valley visitation would be approximately 21,800 people
per day.
Changes Incorporated in Final EIS
In response to comments received on the Draft EIS, some
modifications have been incorporated into Alternative 5 (key changes
are listed below); all other alternatives are substantially unchanged.
Revised the user capacity and visitor use management
program to better articulate how river values, transportation system
performance, and management objectives work together to develop and
monitor user capacities.
Increased the number of sites at the Upper and Lower River
Campgrounds, and eliminated proposed camping at Eagle Creek. Added
campsites to the Abbieville/Trailer Village area and increased the
number of spaces at the seasonally-available El Portal Remote Parking
Area.
Retained the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge pools, relocated
bike rentals and ice skating facilities outside the river corridor,
provided raft rental opportunities, and retained the Housekeeping Camp
store.
Allowed commercial raft rentals in Yosemite Valley and
included a boating capacity and additional boating information for each
open segment of river.
Removed the proposed Huff House employee housing and
redistributed these units with additional permanent housing at Lost
Arrow, retained historic housing in the Curry Village area, and
included new units in Rancheria Flat as well as the El Portal Town
Center.
Included additional tour bus parking at the West of Lodge
parking area and additional parking spaces in areas such as east of the
Yosemite Lodge registration area and the current Curry Village ice-rink
location. Relocated parking from West Valley Overflow Parking Area to
the El Portal Remote Parking area where shuttle service to Yosemite
Valley would be provided. Established a commercial tour bus and transit
capacity for Yosemite Valley.
Further study will assess various long-term management
strategies for Sugar Pine Bridge. If mitigation measures fail to meet
defined criteria for success, consideration of bridge removal would
involve a public review process and additional compliance.
Clarified changes to Curry Village overnight
accommodations to reflect recent changes due to the rockfall hazard
zone update.
A tiered compliance effort will evaluate alternatives to
address a grade-separated pedestrian crossing to address traffic
congestion at the Yosemite Lodge intersection.
Expanded the Yosemite Valley Historic Resources ORV to
include the entire Yosemite Valley Historic District and clarified
specific sites where monitoring will occur to protect and enhance the
Recreation ORV.
Established a grazing capacity at Merced Lake East Meadow
and pack stock limit for the Merced Lake High Sierra Camp.
Decision Process
As noted above, not sooner than 30 days after the Environmental
Protection Agency notice is published in the Federal Register, the
National Park Service will prepare a Record of Decision. Because this
is a delegated EIS, the official responsible for approval of the Merced
River Plan is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park
Service. Subsequently, the official responsible for implementation of
the approved Merced River Plan is the Superintendent, Yosemite National
Park.
Dated: November 4, 2013.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-04061 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FF-P
