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Final Environmental Impact Statement and Comprehensive Management Plan; Merced Wild and Scenic River; Yosemite National Park; Madera and Mariposa Counties, California; Notice of Availability

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: July 3, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 128)]
[Notices]
[Page 41083-41084]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03jy00-104]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement and Comprehensive Management
Plan; Merced Wild and Scenic River; Yosemite National Park; Madera and
Mariposa Counties, California; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council of
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500), the National Park
Service, Department of the Interior has prepared a Final Environmental
Impact Statement identifying and evaluating five alternatives for a
Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced
River Plan) for segments of the river within lands managed by the
National Park Service at Yosemite National Park, California. Potential
impacts, and appropriate mitigation measures, are assessed for each
alternative. Responses to public comment are provided in the document.

[[Page 41084]]

When approved, the plan will guide management actions during the next
15-20 years which are necessary to protect and enhance the
``Outstandingly Remarkable Values'' (ORVs) for which the river was
designated, pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1271).
    Proposal: The proposed Merced River Plan (Alternative 2--Preferred)
would provide management direction for the Merced Wild and Scenic River
by establishing seven management elements: ORVs, boundaries,
classifications, Section 7 determination, River Protection Overlay
(RPO), management zoning, and research and monitoring. The Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act requires the first four elements; the final three
elements were developed in the Merced River Plan to respond to the
Act's requirement to protect and enhance ORVs. This plan modifies the
ORVs, boundaries and classifications from the present situation to
respond to public comment, to more accurately respond to the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act, and to reflect updated information. The proposed
alternative presents the management elements to guide future decision-
making and management actions with the intent that natural processes
will prevail.
    Alternatives: In addition to the proposal, four other alternatives
are identified and analyzed. Alternative 1 (``no action'') is a
continuation of the existing situation, based on the ORVs, boundaries,
and classifications as published in the 1996 Draft Yosemite Valley
Housing Plan/Supplemental EIS. If approved, Alternative 1 will not
implement the three management elements--establishment of a RPO,
management zoning, and a research and monitoring program--that are not
required by the Act. Nor would it present the specific Section 7
determination process outlined in the proposed action.
    Alternative 3 differs from the proposed alternative (Alternative 2)
with regard to the boundaries, classifications, and management zones.
The effect of the differences would promote more resource protection,
using a narrower corridor in east Yosemite Valley and in Wawona, within
the river corridor than under Alternative 2.
    Alternative 4 varies from Alternatives 2 and 3 by presenting yet
another combination of boundaries, classifications and management
zoning. Of the alternatives presented, Alternative 4 would present the
most resource protection within the developed areas along the Merced
River.
    Alternative 5 presents the same boundaries and classifications as
Alternative 4, but with zoning that would allow for more use and
facilities in developed areas than that presented under any of the
other action alternatives. In addition, there would be no river
protection overlay under Alternative 5, reducing the ability to protect
the areas immediately adjacent to the Merced.
    Planning Background: The draft and final Merced River Plan/EIS were
prepared pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and National
Environmental Policy Act. A Scoping Notice was published in the Federal
Register on June 11, 1999; and the Notice of Intent was published on
August 23, 1999. An intensive scoping phase was undertaken during June
and July 1999, which included a series of six public meetings. The
invitation letter requesting input into the development of the draft
Merced River Plan/EIS was sent to the park's general mailing list. In
addition, the scoping effort was publicized via regional and local
media and on the park's Webpage. As a result of this outreach, over 330
responses were received and used in the development of issues upon
which preparation of the draft Merced River Plan/EIS was based. A
summary of the scoping process is available on the park's Webpage
(address noted below). On January 7, 2000, a Notice of Availability for
the Draft Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan/
EIS appeared in the Federal Register. A press briefing was held earlier
the same week to raise public awareness of the plan. Over 9000 plans
were mailed to each person or organization listed on the park's mailing
list. A 70-day public comment period began on January 14, 2000 and
ended on March 24, 2000. Fourteen public hearings were held throughout
the state of California in January and February. Local press was
notified days in advance of each meeting to help raise awareness of the
meetings. Yosemite National Park management and planning officials
attended all sessions to present the draft Merced River Plan/EIS, to
receive oral and written comments, and to answer questions. More than
2300 comments were received by mail, fax, electronic mail, recorded
testimony, and other means.
    Distribution of MRP/Final EIS: A post-card was mailed to all
individuals and organizations on the park's general mailing list to
determine whether a printed copy or a CD-ROM version (or both) of the
Merced River Plan/FEIS should be mailed to the respective address.
Another option presented on the postcard was to receive nothing by
mail, considering that the complete final plan will be available on the
park's website (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning). Still another option
was to receive a ``user's guide'' after a Record of Decision is signed.
In view of these options, the Merced River Plan/FEIS will be mailed, in
format requested, until quantities are exhausted. Copies will also be
available at park headquarters in Yosemite Valley, the Warehouse
Building in El Portal, and at local and regional libraries (i.e., San
Francisco and Los Angeles).
    Decision Process: Depending upon the response from other agencies,
organizations and the general public, at this time it is anticipated
that the notice of an approved Record of Decision would be published in
the Federal Register not sooner than July 31, 2000 (nor would it be
signed until at least 30 days have elapsed after publication by the EPA
of the filing notice for the Final MRP/EIS). The official responsible
for the decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region,
National Park Service; the official responsible for implementation is
the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park.

    Dated: June 23, 2000.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-16703 Filed 6-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P

 
 

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