[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75558-75559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31024]
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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.
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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: http://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 http://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]
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