Finding of No Significant Impact

Yosemite National Park News Release

February 27, 2006
For Immediate Release

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Rehabilitation of the
Yosemite Valley Loop Road Project

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Michael J. Tollefson announced the signing of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on February 24, 2006 for the Rehabilitation of the Yosemite Valley Loop Road Project. This document records the decision of the National Park Service to implement Selected Alternative, Alternative 2 as described in the Rehabilitation of the Yosemite Valley Loop Road Environmental Assessment (EA), in addition to the changes that resulted from public comment on the EA. The National Park Service has determined that implementation of the Yosemite Valley Loop Road Project will not have a significant effect on the human environment; therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. Construction for this project is expected to start fall 2006.

On December 5, 2005 the NPS released the EA for an initial 30-day public review and comment period. A total of 23 letters were received, resulting in 189 public comments on the project. As a result of public comment, some changes have been incorporated into the Selected Alternative (the alternative the NPS is now proposing to implement).

Changes to the Selected Alternative as a result of public comments on the EA include:
The California black oak tree proposed to be removed will now be retained,
The Fern Spring turnout will be further reduced in size, and
Four of the five roadside turnouts proposed for removal will now be retained.

The National Park Service will be sending a FONSI package (i.e., FONSI, Errata Sheets, and the Public Comment Response Report) to all who comment on the EA. In addition, the package will be posted on the park's web site and is available in hardcopy upon written request.

The FONSI is a legally binding document that describes the Selected Alternative as well as provides justification for how the Selected Alternative fulfills the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The Errata Sheets present information regarding: 1) Changes to the Preferred Alternative as a result of public comment, and 2) Technical corrections and changes to the text and graphics of the EA. The Public Comment Response Report details public comments received on the EA, and provides the National Park Service's response to those comments.

To request a hard copy of the Rehabilitation of the Yosemite Valley Loop Road FONSI, please write to: Yosemite Superintendent, Attn: Yosemite Valley Loop Road FONSI, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite CA, 95389, e-mail YOSE_Planning@nps.gov, fax to 209/379-1294. Or, view a digital version on the park's web site at: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning.

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