[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5490-5492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01464]
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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.
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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 http://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 http://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 ([email protected]) 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
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_trp, or may be accessed through the
Yosemite National Park Web site http://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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