June 27, 2006
For Immediate Release
Yosemite National Park Announces Opening of Public Scoping for Tuolumne Planning Effort
Yosemite National Park is announcing public scoping in preparation of the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan/Tuolumne Meadows Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
The National Park Service will prepare two plans for the Tuolumne area in a consolidated document: a Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River ("Tuolumne River Plan"
, and an implementation plan for Tuolumne Meadows ("Tuolumne Meadows Plan". These will be accompanied by an environmental impact statement (EIS) that analyzes the environmental effects of a range of management approaches.Two factors contribute to the timing of this planning effort. First, the National Park Service is mandated by Congress to prepare a management plan for the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River corridor. Second, there are facilities issues that need immediate attention in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Before moving forward to repair, upgrade, or remove infrastructure, the National Park Service is looking to the public for input as it works to clearly define the management goals for both the Tuolumne River and Tuolumne Meadows areas.
The Tuolumne River Plan will provide broad management guidance and establish the overall goals and vision for the river corridor. Its policy directives will guide future management and amend the Yosemite National Park General Management Plan for the Tuolumne River area. The 54 miles of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park was federally designated as a Wild and Scenic River in 1984.
The Tuolumne Meadows Plan is an implementation-level plan. It will focus on the types and levels of visitor services and activities offered in the vicinity of Tuolumne Meadows. It will also delineate which areas may be targeted for restoration.
Public ideas and concerns are sought to help identify the range of issues that should be addressed in this planning effort. Involvement of the public is needed to insure that future actions are consistent with the National Park Service mission, enabling legislation, and other relevant laws and policies.
The public scoping process for this project will be open until 60 days from the publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS, as listed in the Federal Register. The NOI is expected to be published soon, and a link will be posted on the park's website at www.nps.gov/yose/planning. Scoping is an opportunity early in a planning process for the public, gateway communities, partner organizations, culturally-associated American Indian tribes, and other local, state and federal agencies to suggest issues to be considered in the proposed draft EIS.
A series of public meetings will be held throughout July and August. These events will take place from 4:00 to 8:00 pm (unless otherwise noted) at the following locations: July 12 Modesto Junior College; July 13 San Francisco's Fort Mason Center; July 18 Tuolumne Meadows at Parsons Lodge; July 19 Lee Vining Community Center; July 26 NPS Open House in Yosemite Valley (1-5 pm); August 7 Mariposa Government Center; August 14 Oakhurst Community Center; August 15 Sonora at Columbia College; August 17 Groveland Public Library. For additional information, visit the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning.
Written scoping comments should be postmarked no later than 60 days after publication of the NOI in the Federal Register. Comments can be submitted at public meetings, by mail, fax, and email. A draft document should be available for public review in summer 2007. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the Draft EIS and to submit written comments:
Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Attn: Tuolumne Planning
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: 209/379-1294
Email: YOSE_planning@nps.gov
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