Chapter VI: Consultation and Coordination
Environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the
protection of resources did not exist when the Cascades Diversion Dam was
constructed in 1917. Environmental compliance for Cascades Diversion Dam began
in 1982, when alternatives for managing the future of the hydroelectric
generating facility were considered. An overview of environmental compliance
documents completed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act that
relate to Cascades Diversion Dam are presented below.
Hydroelectric Power
System Environmental Assessment (NPS 1982). The purpose of this document
was to study and evaluate alternatives for approaching the future of the then
62-year-old hydroelectric generating facility. Alternatives included retaining,
replacing, enlarging, and abandoning the system. The preferred alternative
proposed repairs, replacements, and a slight increase in capacity.
Electrical
Distribution System Replacement and Cascades Dam Removal Environmental Assessment
(NPS 1987b). The purpose of this document was to consider alternative proposals
for the removal of the abandoned Cascades Diversion Dam and the restoration of
the dam site to natural conditions.
Addendum to the
Electrical Distribution System Replacement and Cascades Dam Removal
Environmental Assessment (NPS 1987a). This document provided additional
data on the removal of Cascades Diversion Dam. The addendum concluded that
further environmental analysis would be required to make an informed decision on
the method and extent of dam removal. Consequently, removal of the dam was
eliminated from the project.
Finding of No
Significant Impact, Phase II Replacement of the Electrical Distribution System
in Yosemite Valley
(NPS 1987c). The Finding of No Significant Impact described replacement of the
electrical distribution system within Yosemite Valley.
Finding of No
Significant Impact, Electrical Distribution System Replacement (NPS 1988).
The Finding of No Significant Impact presented the preferred alternative
described in the Electrical Distribution
System Replacement and Cascades Dam Removal Environmental Assessment (NPS
1987b), excluding removal of Cascades Diversion Dam and attendant structures.
Merced Wild and ScenicRiver Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River
Plan) (NPS 2001a). The Merced River Plan applies seven management elements to
prescribe desired future conditions, typical visitor activities and
experiences, and park facilities and management activities allowed in the river
corridor. The Merced River Plan applies to any project that is within the Wild
and Scenic River
boundary, or that would affect the Outstandingly Remarkable Values or
free-flowing condition of the river. Removal of the Cascades Diversion Dam
complies with the intent of the Merced River Plan to protect and enhance
free-flowing conditions.
Yosemite Valley Plan
(NPS 2000a). The National Park Service recently developed the Yosemite Valley Plan to implement the
goals of the General Management Plan
in Yosemite Valley. The Yosemite Valley Plan is designed to meet the resource preservation
and visitor experience goals in Yosemite Valley, and
calls out specific actions to meet these goals. Among the actions identified in
the Yosemite Valley Plan is removal
of Cascades Diversion Dam.
On April 18, 2001,
the National Park Service held an informal public scoping meeting to discuss
the potential removal of Cascades Diversion Dam. The meeting included project
orientation, group discussion, and a visit to the dam site to view the existing
conditions. The purpose of the informal public scoping meeting was to: (1)
provide participants with an overview of existing conditions and the proposed
action; (2) ask participants to identify key issues that should be analyzed
during the environmental review and compliance process; and (3) provide an
opportunity for participants to ask questions regarding project alternatives
and the overall environmental review and compliance process. Public scoping
comments were accepted through April
27, 2001.
Over 75 public scoping comments were received. All
comments were reviewed and analyzed to determine public concerns. In addition,
the National Park Service posts a project fact sheet and project planning
updates on the park’s web site. Project planning updates have also been
presented at ongoing open house meetings and in the park’s planning update
newsletter. Based on public scoping comments and applicable federal law,
regulations, and executive orders, the National Park Service determined that an
environmental assessment (not an en environmental impact statement) would be
the appropriate level of compliance for the Cascades Diversion Dam Removal
Project. Public scoping comments and issues raised by National Park Service
staff were used in the alternatives development process and the analysis
presented in this document.
Agency Consultation
U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a Special Site
Permit for the Cascades Diversion Dam Removal Project in conjunction with
preparation of the El Portal Road
Improvements Environmental Assessment in 1997. In December 2002, the
National Park Service requested an extension on the timeline of the permit for
dam removal activities. The extended permit would be valid only for actions
related to dam removal and not for future El Portal
Road improvements. In addition, the National Park
Service notified the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the Cascades Diversion
Dam Removal Project was a discrete project from the future El Portal Road
Improvement Project and would not include road improvements. The extended
permit would be in place prior to implementation of the Cascades Diversion Dam
Removal Project.
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
The National Park
Service is currently coordinating with the Central Valley Regional Water
Quality Control Board to obtain required permits. The National Park Service may
be required to submit a report of waste discharge, and obtain Waste Discharge
Requirements or an individual waiver. Copies of the existing waste discharge
waiver are on file at YosemiteNational Park. The permit would be in place prior to
implementation of the Cascades Diversion Dam Removal Project.
U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 United
States Code 1531 et seq.), requires all federal agencies to consult with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or
carried out by the agency does not jeopardize the continued existence of listed
species or critical habitat. The National Park Service requested a list of
federally listed endangered and threatened species that may be present in the
Cascades Diversion Dam Removal Project area from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service on September 23, 2002.
The list received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on September 27, 2002 was used as a
basis for the special-status analysis in this environmental assessment (see
Appendix D, Special-Status Species Evaluation). Consultation with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue, as defined by Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act, as environmental compliance for the Cascades Diversion
Dam Removal Project is finalized.
California State
Historic Preservation Officer/Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Cascades Diversion Dam has been the subject of previous
evaluation and mitigation actions, as described at the beginning of this
chapter. In 1986, the National Park Service evaluated the impacts associated
with the demolition, relocation, and/or rehabilitation of all components of the
Yosemite Hydroelectric Power Plant (also known as the Cascades Powerhouse).
This evaluation included the removal of the dam. With the completion of this
evaluation, the National Park Service completed the consultation process associated
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as
amended. As part of this process, the National Park Service signed a Memorandum
of Agreement with the California State Historic Preservation Officer and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. A copy of the memorandum is located
at the end of this chapter. The memorandum identified stipulations for dam
removal, including the preparation of Historic American Engineering Report
documentation, the submittal of archival photographs and narrative to the State
Historic Preservation Officer and the Fresno
Metropolitan Museum,
and the development of an accurate scale model of the entire Merced
River hydroelectric system. The National Park Service has complied
with the various stipulations of the Memorandum of Agreement and has sent a
letter to the State Historic Preservation Officer indicating that the
Section 106 consultation process is complete.
In addition to compliance with stipulations of the 1986
Memorandum of Agreement, removal of the dam would also comply with the
requirements in Appendix E (Adverse Effects and Standard Mitigation
Measures for Historical Properties) of the Yosemite
Valley Plan. These requirements are included in the 1999 Programmatic
Agreement between the National Park Service, the State Historic Preservation
Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for the “Resolution
of Adverse Effects” associated with planning, construction, operations, and
maintenance activities within Yosemite National
Park.
American Indian Consultation
As part of the development of the Draft and Final Yosemite
Valley Plan/SEIS, the National Park Service consulted with the following
park-associated, federally recognized tribes and nonfederally recognized
American Indian communities who refer to themselves as
“tribes”: the American Indian Council of Mariposa County, Inc.; the North Fork Mono
Rancheria; the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians; the Chukchansi Tribal
Government; the Mono Lake Indian Community; the Bridgeport Paiute Indian Colony; and the Bishop Paiute Tribal
Council. These consultations were ongoing throughout the planning process for
the Yosemite
Valley Implementation Plan/SEIS
and will continue through the design and implementation phases for activities
taking place under the Yosemite Valley
Plan. At present, the National Park Service is consulting with seven
American Indian tribes and groups regarding such as issues access for
traditional use, gathering of traditional materials, protection and mitigation
of impacts to traditional cultural resources, and preservation and management
of important cultural places.
Between June 28, 2000 and July 17, 2000, National Park
Service representatives met with representatives from seven tribal groups
associated with Yosemite National Park. Since July of 2000, tribal consultation
has been ongoing regarding concerns associated with the proposed project.
Recently, the National Park Service requested that the Southern Sierra Miwok
identify concerns regarding plant gathering within the river corridor between
Cascades Diversion Dam and Cascades Picnic Area.
Updated information about various aspects of the Cascades
Diversion Dam Removal Project will be periodically distributed via newsletters,
mailings, the Yosemite National
Park web site (www.nps.gov/yose/planning), and regional and local news media. There
will be a 30-day public comment period on the environmental assessment.
Written comments regarding this document should be
directed to:
Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
ATTN.: Cascades Diversion Dam Removal Project
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, California 95389
Fax: 209/379-1294
Email: Yose_Planning@nps.gov
Written comments will also be accepted at the National
Park Service planning open house held on February 26, 2003 (2:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m.) at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center East
Auditorium. Planning teams will be on hand to answer questions and provide more
information regarding the Cascades Diversion Dam Removal Project, as well as
several other Yosemite National
Park planning efforts.
To request a printed copy, refer to the
information directly above or phone 209/379-1365.
Acton – Agua Dulce Trails Council
ADA
Compliance Service
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
AIA California
Council
Alameda
County Public Library
All Seasons Groveland Inn
American Alpine Club
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College Library
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Magazine
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Property Owners Association
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Chamber of Commerce
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of Supervisors
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Visitors Bureau
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George Radanovich, Representative
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Groveland Rotary
HA Lewis, Inc
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Highways Magazine
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County
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Lakes Chamber of Commerce
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Conference and Visitor Center
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Tribune
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Examiner
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