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| July 16, 2007
While release of the draft EIS for the Tuolumne River Plan and Tuolumne Meadows Plan will not occur until summer 2009, the NPS is providing this workbook as a progress report and seeking additional comments from interested members of the public. This is a new step for planning in Yosemite, inspired by members of the public who asked for opportunities to provide input on park plans DURING the plan's development. The Tuolumne Planning Workbook contains draft descriptions of Tuolumne River values, prescriptions for future management, and preliminary concepts for where and how these management prescriptions could be applied. It also contains a comment card and map of the Tuolumne River corridor, suitable for marking up and mailing back. Hundreds of comments were received last summer during public scoping for these two plans, which continue to inform the planning process. However, if information contained in the Tuolumne Planning Workbook prompts new thoughts on how to plan for Tuolumne Meadows, additional "scoping" comments are welcome. This is an exciting point in the process where no decisions have been made, but a tremendous number of ideas have been shared. Yet the NPS planning team is seeking more. Before heading into development of Tuolumne River Plan alternatives this fall, the NPS wants to take advantage of this summer season to get additional input. To be considered in the alternatives development process, comments on the workbook must be received no later than September 15. Upcoming events:
The workbook can be viewed online at www.nps.gov/yose/planning/trp. To request a printed version--or submit written comments--send an email YOSE_Planning@nps.gov, fax 209/379-1294, or mail Yosemite Planning, ATTN: Tuolumne River Plan, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389.
Yosemite National Park is considering the construction of a duplex consisting
of two 2-bedroom units in the Hodgdon Meadow housing area in order to
replace a previously removed obsolete three-bedroom trailer that did not
meet National Park Service housing standards. This duplex would provide
housing for two or more park employees. Hodgdon Meadow is one of three
residential areas in the Mather Ranger District. Private housing in nearby
communities is very limited, and Mather District employees face a shortage
of adequate housing. The new duplex would help Yosemite National Park
maintain housing in this area and provide housing that meets National
Park Service standards for safety, economy, and quality. Additionally, this project would replace an inadequate drinking water disinfection system. This would provide a permanent solution to address drinking water quality concerns in the Hodgdon Meadow Area. The new system would adjust the pH to reduce leaching of lead solder and copper pipes into the drinking water and increase efficiency of the chlorination system to improve potability. The public review and comment period begins on July 16, 2007 and runs until August 15, 2007. If the Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact are approved, the project would begin in the fall of 2007, and be completed in the summer of 2008. A following public meetings will take place during the public review and comment period:
Comments or requests for the environmental assessment by hard copy or CD can be submitted by any of the means listed below
Written comments must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2007. A link to project information, as well as the environmental assessment, will also be posted on the park’s website at: www.nps.gov/yose/planning/hodgdonhousing. Remember to get your comments for Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment in by July 29, 2007 The Glacier Point Road Rehabiliation Environmental Assessment is now available for public review at www.nps.gov/yose/planning/gproad. The EA outlines a range of feasible project alternatives, including a no action alternative, and analyzes the environmental effects of each. Comments will be accepted from June 27 until July 29, 2007. There is one remaining public scoping meetings for this project:
Comments or requests for the environmental assessment by hard copy or
CD can be submitted by any of the means listed above, Attn: Glacier Point
Road Rehabiliation. Written comments must be postmarked no later than
July 29, 2007.
The National Park Service’s 74-day public scoping period for the new Merced River Plan was initiated on March 28, 2007, and closed on June 9, 2007. A total of 108 public scoping comment letters were submitted and are now available on the park’s web site at the following location: www.nps.gov/yose/planning/newmrp. The public scoping summary reports for the two previous Merced River Plans’ scoping efforts are also available on the park website. During the 2007 public scoping period for the Merced River Plan, the National Park Service hosted six public scoping meetings in locations such as Yosemite Valley, Mariposa, and San Francisco. The park is currently in the process of analyzing public comments and expects to have a report completed by September 2007.
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This
summer, the National Park Service will continue discussions with the public,
park visitors, staff, stakeholders, and volunteers regarding planning
for both the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River and Tuolumne Meadows. To further
these conversations, the NPS is releasing the TUOLUMNE PLANNING WORKBOOK,
a compilation of all work completed on this planning process to date.
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