|
Chapter
II: Alternatives
This chapter describes three alternative approaches
for the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements
Project area. The No Action Alternative would represent the status
quo, while Alternatives 2 and 3 would implement the concepts and actions
identified in the Yosemite Valley Plan (NPS 2000a). Each alternative
discussion includes a summary of the overall approach, a narrative
description of the alternative, and graphics detailing the alternative.
This chapter also provides a brief description of alternatives considered
but not selected for further analysis. Following the alternatives
description is a summary comparison of the alternatives, including
key features and the environmental consequences of the alternatives.
This project directly
tiers off of the Yosemite Valley Plan, which included specific actions
to modify Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds that
have been more fully defined in the action alternatives. Alternatives
2 and 3 provide more detailed designs for the changes to Curry Village
and the campgrounds outlined in the Yosemite Valley Plan. The alternatives
in this chapter present a range of options to achieve the goals of
the Yosemite Valley Plan for the project area. Both action alternatives
are in conformance with the Yosemite Valley Plan densities, as shown
in table II 1.
|
Table
II-1
Alternative Components Comparison |
|
|
Yosemite
Valley Plan
|
Curry
Village and East
Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project
|
|
|
Alternative
2
|
No
Action
|
Alternative
2
|
Alternative
3
|
|
Lodging
|
Units
|
|
Cabin
rooms-with-bath
|
208
|
103
|
208
|
208
|
|
Tent
Cabins
|
174
|
427
|
174
|
174
|
|
Cabin
rooms-without-bath
|
80
|
80
|
80
|
80
|
|
Stoneman
Lodge (units)
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
|
Guest
rooms in historic cottages
|
7
|
0
|
7
|
7
|
|
Total
|
487
|
628
|
487
|
487
|
|
Parking
|
Spaces
|
|
Curry
Village
|
637
|
795
|
637
|
637
|
|
Campgrounds
|
435
|
318
|
435
|
435
|
|
Total
|
1,072
|
1,113
|
1,072
|
1,072
|
|
Campground*
|
Campsites
|
|
South
Camp (group)
|
10
|
0
|
10
|
10
|
|
South
Camp (walk-in)
|
30
|
0
|
30
|
16
|
|
Upper
Pines (drive-in)
|
270
|
240
|
270
|
270
|
|
Upper
Pines (walk-in)
|
45
|
0
|
45
|
59
|
|
Lower
Pines (drive-in)
|
60
|
78
|
60
|
60
|
|
Total
|
415
|
318
|
415
|
415
|
|
*For
comparison purposes, campgrounds shown for the Yosemite Valley Plan include only those
campgrounds included in the Curry
Village and East
Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project.
Sources:
NPS 2000a, ARG 2003
|
Overview of
the Alternatives
Alternative 1: No Action
The No Action Alternative would maintain the status quo in the project
area, as described in Chapter III, Affected Environment. It provides
a baseline from which to compare the action alternatives, to evaluate
the magnitude of proposed changes, and to measure the environmental
effects of those changes. Under the No Action Alternative, the River
Protection Overlay and zoning prescribed in the Merced River Plan
(NPS 2001a) would be adopted; however, no removal of human-made structures
and obstructions would be initiated. Historically significant sites,
structures, and landscape features would be retained in their existing
conditions and configurations. Archeological resources would continue
to be managed as they are today. Curry Village and the campgrounds
would remain in their existing condition without upgrade or expansion.
Campsites and lodging units would remain at current levels (i.e.,
the number remaining after the 1997 flood and subsequent recovery
efforts). Figure II 1 illustrates the layout of the No Action Alternative.
In conjunction with the
No Action Alternative, the existing management and operation of the
utility systems within the project area would continue, and previously
planned routine repairs and maintenance would be implemented.
Curry Village
Under the No Action Alternative, land-use patterns would remain as
they are today, and structures would neither be removed nor rehabilitated.
Curry Village entrance loop road would remain two-way from Curry Village
through the campgrounds, and Southside Drive would continue to bisect
Stoneman Meadow. A total of 47 day-visitor and 628 overnight parking
spaces would continue to be provided in Curry Village, including wilderness
parking. The apple trees in the historic Curry Orchard would be retained.
Bus loading and unloading would continue to take place in front of
the registration building.
A total of 628 overnight
guest accommodations would be retained, including tent cabins (427),
cabins-with-bath (100), cabins-without-bath (80), and Stoneman Lodge
rooms (18). The historic Mother Curry Bungalow, Tresidder Residence,
and historic Cabin 819 would remain (3 in total) for employee housing.
The temporary modular, cabin, and tent housing units that were established
to offset housing lost during the January 1997 flood would remain
at their current locations, including the Curry Village Huff House
tents (50 beds), Huff House cabins (104 beds), and Boys Town cabins
(29 beds).
Food and retail services
at Curry Village would remain in their current locations, with periodic
facility upgrades within the existing footprint. The pool, ice rink,
bicycle and ski rentals facility, and outdoor amphitheater also would
remain in their existing locations. The seasonal post office and campground
check station would remain at their current locations. Electrical
and phone services would not be upgraded.
Utility repairs in Curry Village would include excavation and replacement
of several sections of wastewater line and smaller excavations and
spot repairs as required under the Cleanup and Abatement Order.
Campgrounds
Under the No Action Alternative, the existing 318 campsites at Upper
Pines and Lower Pines Campgrounds would remain in their current locations.
Campground conditions would remain as at present, and campsite use
would continue to be managed with little segregation among user types
(recreational vehicles, cars, walk-in campers). Some campsites would
continue to be located in the River Protection Overlay and within
the talus zone. No group campsites would be available in the Valley,
and no utility hookups would be available for recreational vehicles.
The recreational vehicle dump station at Upper Pines Campground would
remain close to the river. The Lower Pines amphitheater would continue
to serve campers. Campground orientation, parking, and circulation
would be the same as at present. Development of the new South Camp,
as envisioned by the Yosemite Valley Plan, would not occur. This area
would continue to be used for wilderness parking.
Alternative
2
Alternative 2 would implement the changes to the project area as envisioned
by the Yosemite Valley Plan. Parking for overnight guests would increase
and day-visitor parking would be eliminated in accordance with the
Yosemite Valley Plan. The number of tent cabins would decrease, the
number of cabins-with-bath and campsites would increase, and campsites
located in the River Protection Overlay would be removed in accordance
with the Yosemite Valley Plan. A new campground would be developed
at the eastern edge of Curry Village and a new Campground Check Station
would be constructed in accordance with the Yosemite Valley Plan.
Electrical and phone services would be updated. Figure II 2 shows
the overall development proposed under Alternative 2.
In conjunction with Alternative
2, the existing management and operation of the utility systems within
the project area would continue, and previously planned routine repairs
and maintenance would be implemented.
Curry Village
New development would occur within the Curry Village Historic District
in accordance with historic district guidelines. The entrance to Curry
Village would be reconfigured, and some historic structures would
either be removed or rehabilitated in accordance with the Yosemite
Valley Plan and historic district guidelines. New cabins would be
constructed and additional parking provided. The ice rink would be
relocated to Curry Orchard. The apple trees in the historic Curry
Orchard would be removed and replaced by native species in accordance
with the Yosemite Valley Plan. The northern portion of the orchard
would be restored to a meadow community and the southern parking lot
area would be replanted with native, deciduous, non-fruit-bearing
trees in accordance with the Yosemite Valley Plan. Electrical and
phone services would be updated. Figure II 3 illustrates the existing
and new development in Curry Village. The development program for
Curry Village under Alternative 2 is shown on figure II 4.
Visitor Entry and Arrival
Alternative 2 would re-establish the historic road alignment of 1905.
The access road would align with the historic Camp Curry welcome sign,
the historic gateway to the area. A triangular entry would take visitors
to short-term registration parking located west of the center of Curry
Village, close to the Camp Curry gateway. After parking their cars,
visitors would walk a short distance through a restored meadow area
to the registration building.
The present registration
building would be rehabilitated with an addition of approximately
1,500 to 1,800 square feet to serve the current and future needs of
Curry Village. The significant historic features of the building would
be retained; more recent incompatible additions would be removed;
and the new addition would be constructed to complement the original
structure. The entrance to the upgraded building would continue to
focus on the historic Camp Curry welcome sign. The building would
accommodate a 50-foot-long check-in counter and include public restrooms.
Lodging
The historic structures - Stoneman Lodge, Mother Curry Bungalow, Tresidder
Residence, Huff House, Cabin 90A/B, and Cabin 819 - would be upgraded
to serve as guest accommodations. Temporary employee housing would
be removed from the Huff House area. The historic residences would
provide a total of 25 rooms, all with baths. The rehabilitation would
be in accordance with The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for
the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving,
Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (The
Secretary's Standards for Historic Buildings) (USDOI 1995). The 80
guest rooms in wood cabins-without-bath at the center of Curry Village
would remain as guest lodging units. Several of these structures would
be upgraded for use by disabled visitors.
In accordance with the
Yosemite Valley Plan, 253 tent cabins would be removed, decreasing
the number of tent cabins in Curry Village from 427 to 174. The 253
tent cabins that would be removed are all in the talus zone. All of
the tent cabins west of the Curry Village amphitheater would be removed
to create a more expansive common area at the center of Curry Village.
The tent cabins would retain their historic configuration along two
streets that run parallel through the east part of Curry Village,
following the natural curve of the rock slope base. The tent cabins
would be rehabilitated according to the normal cyclical policies of
the park. A number of the tent cabins would be winterized (i.e., heated)
over time for year-round use. Four of the six original restrooms located
among the tent cabins would be retained for continued use as campground
restrooms.
The remaining two restrooms, located in areas where tent cabins are
being removed, would be retained for new uses, such as bear-proof
food storage. In designated areas, paved paths would be provided for
disabled-accessible cabins and restroom facilities.
All of the historic bungalows
(44 duplex and 3 fourplex cabins-with-bath) would be retained. Twenty-five
of these bungalows are in the talus zone. Fifty-four new duplex cabins-with-bath
(108 lodging units) would be constructed outside the talus zone east
and north of the existing cabins-with-bath at Curry Village. Ten of
the 54 new cabins would be constructed east of the existing cabins.
The remaining 44 cabins would be located north of the expanded west-end
parking bay, after the removal of the employee housing and relocation
of the ice rink from that area. The new cabins would be oriented to
continue the informal configuration of the existing cabins (i.e.,
facing each other in rows, each slightly skewed from its neighbors,
and aligned in a roughly east-west direction). Five of the ten cabins
adjacent to the existing cabins would be constructed as a first phase.
These would include five accessible units in accordance with Americans
with Disabilities Act. The remaining five southern cabins and the
cabins north of the parking bay would be constructed after removal
of the employee housing in that area. The new cabins would be designed
to be consistent with the historic cabins, using wood construction
and a similar vocabulary of forms and details. They would be designed
in accordance with provisions of the Architectural Character and Site
Design Guidelines for Yosemite National Park (Architectural Guidelines)
(EHDD 2003) for Curry Village.
Parking Accommodations
The parking would generally match the location of overnight accommodations
in Curry Village (figure II 4). A total of 487 overnight parking spaces
would be provided in Curry Village, in accordance with the Yosemite
Valley Plan (see table II 2). A total of 225 spaces would be located
on the west side of Curry Village, while 262 spaces would be located
on the east side of Curry Village. In addition to the overnight parking,
15 short-term parking spaces located immediately adjacent to the west
end parking area would serve the registration area. No day-visitor
parking would be provided.
Table II-2
Alternative 2 - Overnight Parking at Curry Village
Location Parking Spaces
West End Parking Area 225
East End Parking Area 172
Curry Orchard (Curry Village Guests) 90
Subtotal Curry Village 487
Curry Orchard (Wilderness Parking) 150
Total 637
Source: ARG 2003
The extension and realignment
of the Curry Village entrance loop road would reconfigure and reduce
the size of the parking area south of Curry Orchard on the east side
of Curry Village. By extending the parking area to the southeast,
a total of 172 tent cabin parking spaces would be created. Two acres
of the historic Curry Orchard would be retained to provide 240 parking
spaces, of which 150 would be set aside for wilderness parking; an
additional 90 spaces would be provided in the southern portion of
the Curry Orchard parking area. A new grid of deciduous, non-fruit-bearing
trees would be planted to create a canopy that would visually shield
views of the parking area from Glacier Point and minimize the effects
of parking on Curry Village. The removable ice rink would be sited
within two or three bays of parking along the west side of the lot
during winter months. No permanent trees would be planted between
these rows. Container plantings of substantially sized trees would
be used to provide a degree of shade and screening of the parking
area during summer months when the ice rink was removed.
Trails
Some existing trails in Curry Village would be realigned, while maintaining
the historic circulation patterns within the Village. A new multi-use
paved trail would be constructed east from Curry Village toward Happy
Isles, parallel to the extension of Curry Village Road. The configuration
of this new trail would be similar to that of the existing multi-use
trails, which are 10 to 14 feet in width. Typical trail cross sections
are illustrated on figure II 5. As shown in on illustration 1b, the
trail would result in an 18 foot wide disturbance corridor. In general,
the multi-use trail and other primary trails would be asphalt paved
to permit adequate maintenance during winter months. Forest duff would
be allowed to cover the paved trails, to continue the rustic appearance
in Curry Village, except for those trails required for disabled access,
which would be maintained clear of duff. Secondary trails and paths
to individual lodgings would remain compacted earth, as they are today.
Visitor Services
The ice rink and most of its support facilities, currently located
along Curry Village Road, east of Curry Village, would be removed.
During winter months, a new removable ice rink would be located on
a portion of the Curry Orchard parking lot (figure II 6). This dual
land use would coincide with reduced parking needs during the winter.
A 1,500- to 1,800-square-foot skate rental facility, also seasonal
and removable, would be located adjacent to the ice rink.
The Mountain Shop would
be located west of the entrance loop road, in close proximity to other
recreational/retail facilities such as the bicycle and raft rental.
The new Mountain Shop would be a single-story structure, in a rustic
style to complement the existing Curry Village buildings. The new
facility would provide 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of retail space,
commensurate with the existing facility. The Mountaineering School
would continue to operate from the Mountain Shop.
The raft and bicycle rentals
would be located in new structures west of the Curry Village entrance
loop road (figure II 6). They would be small, single-story buildings
exhibiting the scale and rustic character of the nearby Curry Village
cabins, with a combined area of 1,600 to 2,000 square feet.
The rental facilities would have outdoor staging areas for bicycles
and rafts, with immediate access to the Merced River and east Valley
bicycle trails. Vehicles transporting rafts to and from river launch
and removal sites would access this area directly from the Curry Village
entrance loop road. The former ice rink restrooms would be retained
to serve bicycle and rafting activities. The original bicycle rental
structures would also be retained for a support use. The swimming
pool would remain in its current location and be rehabilitated. The
bathhouse, constructed as a temporary facility in 1972, would be removed
in conjunction with the construction of the new employee cafeteria/lounge
and maintenance building. New permanent bathhouse facilities would
be constructed. The fencing and pool entrance would be redesigned
to provide a more direct, open relationship between the pool deck
and the surrounding cabin area.
The Curry Village gift
shop and grocery would be expanded to include the area currently occupied
by the Mountain Shop, for a total of approximately 8,000 square feet,
and would be reorganized to include a deli and other food service
functions (figure II 6). Some gift shop functions would remain; however,
most would be relocated to the new Mountain Shop. Access to the expanded
grocery store would be planned for the convenience of patrons arriving
by public transportation. Full accessibility would be provided for
disabled visitors.
In addition to the grocery
store expansion, the outdoor food services for Curry Village would
be upgraded. Some grocery store services, such as a deli, could also
be operated from an outdoor window in warm weather months. Outdoor
food services would be oriented toward the north part of the Curry
Village core, reducing the conflict between the noise generated by
diners and by activities taking place in the Curry Village amphitheater.
Redesign of the outdoor dining decks would be necessary to accommodate
the expanded services. Small additions to the west side of the grocery
store could be appropriate and would be detailed to mitigate the large,
blank west side of the existing grocery store.
Employee Facilities
A new employee cafeteria/lounge would be constructed on the east side
of the existing Curry Pavilion (figure II 6). The present service
wing separating the loading dock area from the swimming pool would
be removed, and a new, larger wing would be built in its place. The
wing would house a flexible space that would be used both for dining
and as a lounge and community room for other employee functions, such
as classes and meetings. It would connect directly to and be served
by the Curry Pavilion kitchen. The wing would be a single-story structure
of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, with a basement for expanded
central maintenance and housekeeping use. It would be designed to
complement the architecture of the Curry Pavilion building and provide
an appropriate backdrop for the swimming pool deck.
From 6,000 to 8,000 square
feet of housekeeping and maintenance space would be constructed on
the east side of the Curry Pavilion service yard to serve the housekeeping
and maintenance needs of Curry Village (figure II 6). Most of this
space would be located in a new building on the site of an early warehouse
(shown on 1916-1931 maps, but no longer extant) and in a similar configuration.
Some functions would be at the basement level of the new employee
cafeteria. The new facility would house laundry, receiving and shipping,
a cleaning materials and dispensing area, dispatch office, grounds
keeping and maintenance workrooms/office, restrooms, and storage for
both housekeeping and maintenance use. The new facility would create
a visual separation between the guest and employee areas of Curry
Village and be designed with a rustic character. In conjunction with
the new construction, the service yard would be improved to provide
better access and turn-around space for large delivery vehicles, as
well as parking for small maintenance vehicles and cleaning carts.
Gates would be added at both the street side and camp side, and pedestrian
access for guests would be rerouted around the area.
Emergency Services
and Utilities
A single-truck fire station would be constructed at the west end of
Curry Village, on a pad currently used for Huff House area employee
parking (figure II 7). The 1,500- to 1,800-square- foot facility would
also house a security office and support spaces. Electric, water,
and wastewater service for the facility would be provided by new connections
to utility mains.
Under Alternative 2, water
would be obtained from existing wells in Yosemite Valley. All sewage
would be treated at the El Portal Wastewater Treatment Plant. Electrical
and phone services would be upgraded to accommodate the additional
loads. Utility service, including electric, water, and wastewater
services, would be provided to new or relocated facilities via connection
to the nearest existing or proposed utility mains. Utilities infrastructure
and facilities would be sited and designed to minimize both the length
and amount of infrastructure required and to avoid trees, existing
buildings, and other facilities that would be affected during construction
or operation, to the degree possible.
Amphitheater at Clark's
Bridge
A new 460-seat amphitheater would be constructed on the site of the
concessioner stable parking lot, north of Clark's Bridge (figure II
7) as proposed by the Yosemite Valley Plan. Development of the amphitheater
would be dependent upon relocation of the concessioner stable. The
concessioner stable is planned for relocation outside of Yosemite
Valley as part of a separate project. If future studies conducted
as part of the stables relocation project determine that the stables
will remain at their current location, an alternative site for the
amphitheater would be identified at that time.
The new amphitheater would
be reached via disabled-accessible paved trails. The proposed site
would be contoured to respond to the natural topography of the surrounding
area. The seating area would be gently sloped and disabled accessible,
and the benches would be rustic in character. The amphitheater would
be served by new disabled-accessible restrooms on the northwest side
of the amphitheater.
Campground-Serving Facilities
Campground Check Station
Following the removal of the existing Boys Town employee housing,
a new central campground check station would be constructed along
the realigned Curry Village Road, east of Curry Village. The campground
check station would include a roadside median structure to serve arriving
and departing campers, including late arrivals. A 2,000- to 2,400-square-foot,
single-story building would house a number of support functions, including
a registration counter, a visitor reception area, an area for general
park information, office support space for two to three staff people
(including telephones and computers), storage area for brochures and
maps, and a public message board. The building would also house storage
space for campground housekeeping and maintenance supplies. A public
waiting area with picnic tables would be provided outside the building.
There would be a small lot for short-term public parking and space
for a maintenance vehicle. Figure II 7 provides schematic drawings
of the facilities.
Recreational Vehicle
Dump Station
A recreational vehicle dump station would be located on the east side
of Curry Village, across from the campground check station (figure
II 7), replacing the existing Upper Pines recreational vehicle dump
station that would be removed from the River Protection Overlay. The
recreational vehicle dump station would be equipped with two bays,
with dual vehicle access to each bay. One lane in each bay would be
used for filling with potable water, while the other lane would be
used for dumping. The facility would be sized to accommodate inbound
and outbound movement for recreational vehicles and campers.
South Camp
A total of 40 new campsites (10 group and 30 walk-in) would be provided
at South Camp (figure II 8). South Camp would be accessed via the
existing entrance to the area, which leads to the existing dirt parking
area (currently wilderness parking) in the vicinity of the old dump
site. The campsites and campground parking facilities would be located
outside the boundary of the old dump site. Should further studies
indicate that campsites are within the boundary of the dump site,
the campsites will be relocated.
Ten group campsites covering
a 100-foot by 100-foot footprint would be located south of the entry
road. Parking for 30 vehicles (three spaces per group campsite) would
be provided. One restroom building and one shower/restroom building
would be provided to serve the group campsites.
Thirty walk-in campsites
would be located north of the group campsites. A separate 30-space
vehicle parking area (one space for each walk-in campsite) located
on the east side of Curry Village would serve these campsites. One
shower/restroom building would be located next to the parking area
to serve the walk-in campsites. Part of the combined shower/restroom
facility would be within the talus zone. The campground configuration
would minimize tree removal as much as possible; however, due to the
steep slopes and limited land area between the existing road and the
talus zone, grading and consequent tree removal would be required
to build the campsites. An existing trail would be realigned and a
new trail and service road would be created. Pedestrian paths would
provide access to all of the campsites from the parking lot and connect
with the campground check station north of the walk-in sites.
Upper Pines Campground
A total of 270 drive-in campsites would be provided at Upper Pines
Campground. The development in Upper Pines would maintain the existing
loop road alignment, minimizing improvements to existing campsites.
A new loop would be added near the entrance to the campground to provide
30 new drive-in sites. A new restroom building and new shower/restroom
building would be constructed in the new loop. New development would
occur in the new development zone designated in the Yosemite Valley
Plan. The existing recreational vehicle dump station in Upper Pines
Campground would be removed. Figure II 9 illustrates the layout of
campsites at Upper Pines Campground.
The 45 new walk-in campsites
would be located north of the campground access road in the new development
area designated in the Yosemite Valley Plan. These campsites would
be separated into two subareas, with one central parking area providing
45 vehicle parking spaces along the campground access road. Each campground
subarea would have one restroom building.
The location of the walk-in
campsites would require the crossing of a major tributary of the Merced
River. Although the parking area would be located south of this wetland
system, access to the sites would require crossing this watercourse
from the parking area. Access to the walk-in campsites would also
need to accommodate a small vehicle for servicing and monitoring the
campsite restroom facilities and to provide access for emergency vehicles.
A bridge structure on piers would limit the ground disturbance during
construction and provide a raised platform across the wetland area
from each parking area. The bridge would be designed in compliance
with the Architectural Guidelines for Yosemite Valley and would be
disabled accessible. The walk-in campsites would be within the 1997
flood extent.
Lower Pines Campground
Sixty drive-in campsites would continue to be provided at Lower Pines
by removing campsites from the River Protection Overlay and reconfiguring
the existing campground to accommodate these campsites. Alternative
2 would utilize the existing loop road alignments, improving only
those that would be needed for the relocation of campsites from the
River Protection Overlay (figure II 10). The existing pattern of development
would be maintained; however, the removal of the amphitheater would
create a common open space between the campground and the adjacent
river corridor. Recreational vehicle and automobile campsites would
continue to be mixed within the campground. Some campsites would remain
within the 1997 flood extent.
New restroom facilities would be constructed within the first and
second loop roads and at the southwest end of the campground; the
restroom located in the center of the campground would be retained
and upgraded; and a new shower/restroom facility would be constructed
within the first loop road.
Alternative
3 (Preferred)
Alternative 3 would also implement the changes to the project area
envisioned in the Yosemite Valley Plan. Parking would increase and
day-visitor parking would be eliminated in accordance with the Yosemite
Valley Plan. The number of tent cabins would decrease, the number
of cabins-with bath and campsites would increase, and campsites located
in the River Protection Overlay would be removed in accordance with
the Yosemite Valley Plan. A new campground would be developed at the
eastern edge of Curry Village and a new campground registration facility
would be constructed in accordance with the Yosemite Valley Plan.
Figure II 11 shows the overall development proposed under Alternative
3.
In conjunction with Alternative
3, the existing management and operation of the utility systems within
the project area would continue, and previously planned routine repairs
and maintenance would be implemented.
Curry Village
New development would occur within the Curry Village Historic District
in accordance with historic district guidelines. The entrance to Curry
Village would be reconfigured, and some historic structures would
either be removed or rehabilitated in accordance with the Yosemite
Valley Plan and historic district guidelines. New cabins would be
constructed and additional parking provided. The ice rink would be
relocated to north of the Curry Pavilion. The apple trees in the historic
Curry Orchard would be removed. The northern portion of the orchard
would be restored to a meadow community and the southern parking lot
area would be replanted with native, deciduous, non-fruit-bearing
trees in accordance with the Yosemite Valley Plan. Electrical and
phone services would be updated. Figure II 12 illustrates the existing
and new development in Curry Village. The development program for
Curry Village under Alternative 3 is shown on figure II 13.
Visitor Entry and Arrival
Alternative 3 would provide an evocation of the historic entry sequence
for visitors arriving at Curry Village. The access road would align
with the historic Camp Curry welcome sign, the historic gateway to
the area. A circular entry would take visitors to short-term registration
parking located within the loop of Curry Village. After parking their
cars, visitors would walk a short distance through a restored meadow
to the new registration building. Alternative 3 would restore the
common area of Curry Village - between the registration building,
lounge, and Curry Pavilion, progressing from the gateway sign to the
Village amphitheater - to its historic open character. The Architectural
Guidelines provide specific recommendations for Curry Village. The
historic lounge would continue to be used for interpretive displays,
and the existing amphitheater would be redesigned for more intimate
gatherings and interpretive presentations.
A new 1,500- to 1,800-square-foot
registration building would be constructed on the west side of the
Curry Pavilion. The precise placement and orientation of this building
would be developed together with modifications to the Curry Pavilion
decks and outdoor food services and the new seasonal skate rental
structure adjacent to the ice rink. The new building would accommodate
a 50-foot-long check-in counter and would include public restrooms.
It would be designed and detailed in accordance with the Architectural
Guidelines for Curry Village buildings and the adjacent Curry Pavilion.
The existing registration building would be rehabilitated for a new
public use, appropriate to its prominent location and historic character,
in accordance with the rehabilitation guidelines in The Secretary's
Standards for Historic Buildings.
Lodging
The historic structures - Stoneman Lodge, Mother Curry Bungalow, Tresidder
Residence, Huff House, Cabin 90A/B, and Cabin 819 - would be upgraded
to serve as guest accommodations. They would provide a total of 25
rooms, all with baths. The rehabilitation would be performed in accordance
with The Secretary's Standards for Historic Buildings.
In accordance with the
Yosemite Valley Plan, 253 tent cabins would be removed, decreasing
the number of tent cabins in Curry Village from 427 to 174. The 253
tent cabins that would be removed are all in the talus zone. Forty-five
tent cabins west of the amphitheater would be retained. The tent cabins
would retain their historic configuration along two streets that run
parallel through the east part of Curry Village, following the natural
curve of the rock slope base. The tent cabins would be rehabilitated
according to the normal cyclical policies of the park. A number would
be winterized (i.e., heated) over time for year-round use. Four of
the six historic restrooms located among the tent cabins would be
retained for continued use as campground restrooms. The remaining
two, located in areas where tent cabins are being removed, would be
retained for new uses, such as locations for bear-proof food storage
for guests. In designated areas, multi-use paved trails would be provided
for disabled-accessible cabins and restroom facilities.
All of the historic bungalows
(44 duplex and 3 fourplex cabins-with-bath) would be retained, of
which 25 are in the talus zone. Fifty-four new duplex cabins-with-bath
(108 lodging units) would be located east and north of the existing
cabins-with-bath at Curry Village, outside of the talus zone. Five
new cabins would be constructed east of the existing cabins. The remaining
49 cabins would be located north of the expanded west-end parking
bay, after the removal of the employee housing and relocation of the
ice rink from that area. The new cabins would be oriented to continue
the informal configuration of the existing cabins (i.e., facing each
other in rows, each slightly skewed from its neighbors, and aligned
in a roughly east-west direction).
The five cabins adjacent
to the existing cabins would be constructed as a first phase. The
cabins north of the parking bay would be constructed after removal
of the employee housing in that area. The new cabins would be designed
to complement the historic cabins, using wood construction and a similar
vocabulary of forms and details. They would be designed in accordance
with the Architectural Guidelines for Curry Village.
The 80 guest rooms in
wood cabins-without-bath at the center of Curry Village would remain
as guest lodging units. In order to comply with requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, a number of these units would be
upgraded for use by disabled visitors.
Parking Accommodations
The parking would generally match the location of overnight accommodations
in Curry Village (figure II 13). A total of 487 overnight parking
spaces would be provided in Curry Village, in accordance with the
Yosemite Valley Plan (see table II 3). A total of 225 spaces would
be located on the west side of Curry Village, while 262 spaces would
be located on the east side of Curry Village. In addition to the overnight
parking, 15 short-term parking spaces located within the circular
roadway would serve the registration area. No day-visitor parking
would be provided.
Table II-3
Alternative 3 - Overnight Parking at Curry Village
Location Parking Spaces
West End Parking Area 225
East End Parking Area 172
Curry Orchard (Curry Village Guests) 90
Subtotal Curry Village 487
Curry Orchard (Wilderness Parking) 150
Total 637
Source: ARG 2003
The extension and realignment
of the Curry Village entrance loop road would reconfigure and reduce
the size of the parking area south of Curry Orchard on the east side
of Curry Village. By extending the parking area to the southeast,
a total of 172 tent cabin parking spaces would be provided. Two acres
of the historic Curry Orchard would be retained to provide 240 parking
spaces, of which 150 would be set aside for wilderness parking; an
additional 90 spaces would be provided in the southern portion of
the Curry Orchard parking area. A new grid of deciduous trees would
be planted to create a canopy that would visually shield views of
the parking area from Glacier Point and minimize the effects of parking
on Curry Village.
Trails
Some existing trails in Curry Village would be realigned, while maintaining
the historic circulation patterns within the Village. A new multi-use
paved trail would be constructed east from Curry Village toward Happy
Isles, parallel to the extension of Curry Village Road (figure II
14). The configuration of this new trail would be similar to that
of the existing multi-use trails, which are 10 to 14 feet in width.
Typical trail cross sections are illustrated on figure II 5 (pg. II
15). As shown on illustration 1b, the trail would result in an 18-foot-wide
disturbance corridor. In general, multi-use and other primary trails
would be asphalt paved to permit adequate maintenance during winter
months. Forest duff would be allowed to cover the paved trails, to
continue the rustic appearance in the Village, except for those trails
required for disabled access, which would be maintained clear of duff.
Secondary trails and paths to individual lodgings would remain compacted
earth, as they are today.
Visitor Services
The ice rink, currently located along the Curry Village entrance loop
road east of Curry Village, would be removed along with most of its
support facilities. During winter months, a new removable ice rink
would be located immediately north of the Meadow Deck, in a position
that would capture the view of Half Dome. A 1,500- to 1,800-square-foot
skate rental facility, also seasonal and removable, would be located
adjacent to the ice rink.
The Mountain Shop would
be relocated to a new building east of its current location (figure
II 15). The new Mountain Shop would be a single-story structure, in
a rustic style to complement the existing Curry Village buildings.
The new facility would provide 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of retail
space, commensurate with the existing facility. Visitors would arrive
on foot or via the shuttle bus system. The Mountaineering School would
continue to operate from the Mountain Shop.
The raft and bicycle rentals
would be located in new structures west of the Curry Village entrance
loop road (figure II 15). They would be small, single-story buildings
exhibiting the scale and rustic character of the nearby Curry Village
cabins, with a combined area of 1,600 to 2,000 square feet.
The rental facilities
would have outdoor staging areas for bicycles and rafts, with immediate
access to the Merced River and east Valley bicycle trails. Vehicles
transporting rafts to and from river launch and removal sites would
access this area directly from Curry Village Road. The former ice
rink restrooms would be retained to serve bicycle and rafting activities.
The original bicycle rental structures would also be retained for
a support use.
The swimming pool would
remain in its current location and be rehabilitated. The bathhouse,
constructed as a temporary facility in 1972, would be removed in conjunction
with the construction of the new employee cafeteria/lounge and maintenance
building. New permanent bathhouse facilities would be constructed.
The fencing and pool entrance would be redesigned to provide a more
direct, open relationship between the pool deck and the surrounding
cabin area.
The Curry Village gift shop and grocery would be expanded to include
the space now occupied by the Mountain Shop, for a total of approximately
8,000 square feet, and would be reorganized to include a deli and
other food service functions (figure II 15). Some gift shop functions
would remain; however, most would be relocated to the new Mountain
Shop. Access to the expanded grocery store would be planned for the
convenience of patrons arriving by public transportation. Full accessibility
would be provided for disabled visitors.
In addition to the grocery
store expansion, the outdoor food services for Curry Village would
be upgraded. Some grocery store services, such as a deli, could also
be operated from an outdoor window in warm-weather months. Outdoor
food services would be oriented toward the north part of the Village
core, reducing the conflict between the noise generated by diners
and by activities taking place in the Village amphitheater. Redesign
of the outdoor dining decks would be necessary to accommodate the
expanded services. Small additions to the west side of the grocery
store could be appropriate and would be detailed to integrate with
the new registration building.
Employee Facilities
A new employee cafeteria/lounge would be constructed on the east side
of the Curry Pavilion (figure II 15). The present service wing separating
the loading dock area from the swimming pool would be removed and
a new, larger wing would be built in its place. The wing would house
a flexible space that would be used both for dining and as a lounge
and community room for other employee functions, such as classes and
meetings. It would connect directly to and be served by the Curry
Pavilion kitchen. The wing would be a single-story structure of approximately
3,000 to 4,000 square feet, with a basement for expanded central maintenance
and housekeeping use (figure II 15). It would be designed to complement
the architecture of the Curry Pavilion building and provide an appropriate
backdrop for the swimming pool deck.
From 6,000 to 8,000 square
feet of housekeeping and maintenance space would be constructed on
the east side of the Curry Pavilion service yard to serve the housekeeping
and maintenance needs of Curry Village (figure II 15). Most of this
space would be located in a new building on the site of an early warehouse
(shown on 1916-1931 maps, but no longer extant) and in a similar configuration.
Some functions would be at the basement level of the new employee
cafeteria. The new facility would house laundry, receiving and shipping,
a cleaning materials and dispensing area, dispatch office, grounds
keeping and maintenance workrooms/office, restrooms, and storage for
both housekeeping and maintenance use.
This area is currently
occupied by employee cabins that would be removed as part of the lodging
reduction strategy. The new facility would create a visual separation
between the guest and employee areas of Curry Village and be designed
with a rustic character. From the adjacent tent cabin area it would
have the appearance of a series of small, connected structures, rather
than a single, larger facility. In conjunction with the new construction,
the service yard would be improved to provide better access and turn-around
space for large delivery vehicles, as well as parking for small maintenance
vehicles and cleaning carts. Gates would be added at both the street
side and camp side, and pedestrian access for guests would be rerouted
around the area.
Emergency Services
and Utilities
A single-truck fire station would be constructed at the west end of
Curry Village, on a pad currently used for Huff House area employee
parking (figure II 16). The 1,500- to 1,800-square-foot facility would
also house a security office and support spaces. Electric, water,
and wastewater service for the facility would be provided by new connections
to utility mains.
Under Alternative 3, water
would be obtained from existing wells in Yosemite Valley. All sewage
would be treated at the El Portal Wastewater Treatment Plant. Electrical
and phone services would be upgraded to accommodate the additional
loads. Utility service, including electric, water, and wastewater
services, would be provided to new or relocated facilities via connection
to existing or proposed utility mains. Utilities infrastructure and
facilities would be sited and designed to both minimize the amount
of infrastructure required and to avoid trees, existing buildings,
and other facilities that would be affected during construction or
operation, to the degree possible.
Amphitheater at Clark's
Bridge
A new 460-seat amphitheater would be constructed on the site of the
concessioner stable parking lot, north of Clark's Bridge (figure II
16) as proposed by the Yosemite Valley Plan. The concessioner stable
is planned for relocation as part of a separate project. Development
of the amphitheater would be dependent upon the removal of the concessioner
stable operation. If future studies conducted as part of the stables
relocation project determine that the stables will remain at their
current location, an alternative site for the amphitheater would be
identified at that time.
The new amphitheater would
be reached via disabled-accessible paved trails. The proposed site
would be contoured to respond to the natural topography of the surrounding
area. The seating area would be gently sloped and disabled accessible,
and the benches would be rustic in character. The amphitheater would
be served by new disabled-accessible restrooms on the northwest side
of the amphitheater. Electrical and water services would be extended
to the restrooms.
Campground-Serving
Facilities
Campground Check Station
The existing campground check station at the northern edge of Curry
Orchard would be removed and a new central campground check station
would be constructed along the realigned Curry Village Road, east
of Curry Village (figure II 16). The check station would include a
roadside median structure to serve arriving and departing campers,
including late arrivals.
A 2,000- to 2,400-square-foot, single-story building would house a
number of support functions, including a counter for registration,
a visitor reception area, an area for general park information, office
support space for two to three staff people (including telephones
and computers), storage area for brochures and maps, and a public
message board. The building would also house storage space for campground
housekeeping and maintenance supplies. A public waiting area with
picnic tables would be provided outside the building. There would
be a small lot for short-term public parking and space for a maintenance
vehicle.
Recreational Vehicle
Dump Station
A recreational vehicle dump station would be located on the east side
of Curry Village, across from the campground check station (figure
II 16), replacing the existing Upper Pines recreational vehicle dump
station that would be removed from the River Protection Overlay. The
recreational vehicle dump station would be equipped with two bays,
with dual vehicle access to each bay. One lane in each bay would be
used for filling with potable water, while the other lane would be
used for dumping. The facility has been sized to accommodate inbound
and outbound movement for recreational vehicles and campers.
Central Shower/Restroom
Facility
A new central shower facility would be constructed in the new South
Camp area between Curry Village and Happy Isles Loop Road to serve
all of the campgrounds (figure II 16). The building would be integrated
into the woodland setting, with maximum separation from the adjacent
campsites and the new check station. The facility would be a one-story
wood structure in a rustic style, similar to that of the historic
Curry Village buildings, and would house separate showers and restrooms
for men and women, as well as laundry and dishwashing facilities.
All facilities would be accessible, and several parking spaces for
disabled campers would be provided adjacent to the building.
South Camp
A total of 10 group campsites and 16 walk-in campsites would be provided
at the new South Camp (figure II 17). The Yosemite Valley Plan indicated
that 30 walk-in campsites should be provided in this area; however,
due to space and resource limitations at South Camp, 14 walk-in campsites
would be moved to the Upper Pines Campground, resulting
in a net compliance with the Yosemite Valley Plan requirements. South
Camp would be accessed via the existing entrance to the area (current
wilderness parking), which leads to the existing dirt parking area
in the vicinity of the old dump site. The campsites and campground
parking facilities would be located outside the boundaries of the
old dump site. Should further studies indicate that campsites are
within the boundary of the dump site, the campsites will be relocated.
A total of 10 group campsites
would be provided. Nine group campsites covering a 100-foot by 100-foot
footprint would be located south of the entry road, with one group
campsite located north of the entrance road adjacent to the walk-in
campsites. Parking for 46 vehicles (three spaces per group campsite
and one space per walk-in campsite) would be provided. Three new restroom
buildings would be provided for South Camp. One restroom building
would be located in the talus zone.
The 16 walk-in campsites
would be located north of the group campsites. Reducing the number
of walk-in campsites would provide more space between campsites; however,
the limitations of the talus zone and the existing road alignment
require clustering sites within a small area. Additionally, due to
the limited land area between the existing road and the talus zone,
grading and tree removal would be required to build the campsites.
An existing trail would be realigned and a new trail and service road
would be created. Pedestrian paths would provide access to all of
the campsites from the parking lot and connect with the campground
check-in station north of the walk-in sites. Water and
electrical service would be provided for the new restroom facilities,
and electrical service would be provided for new trails and parking
areas.
Upper Pines Campground
A total of 270 drive-in campsites would be provided at Upper Pines
Campground, including 240 existing campsites and 30 new recreational
vehicle campsites. Additionally, 59 new walk-in campsites would be
developed across the road from the drive-in campsites. The recreational
vehicle campsites would be located in the western portion of the campground.
The existing recreational vehicle dump station in Upper Pines Campground
would be removed. Trail realignment would be necessary to accommodate
development at Upper Pines. A new trail system would be developed
to allow pedestrian access to Upper Pines Campground from the South
Camp shuttle bus stop. Details of the development proposed for Upper
Pines Campground is shown in figure II 18.
The development of drive-in
campsites in Upper Pines would maintain the existing loop road alignment,
and the road surfaces, drainage structures, and campsite spurs would
be improved. A new loop would be added near the entrance to the campground
to provide 30 new recreational vehicle campsites. New development
would be located in the new development zone designated in the Yosemite
Valley Plan. Electrical hookups would be provided at the recreational
vehicle campsites.
Two new restroom buildings
would be constructed in the new loop. No shower facilities would be
provided because campers would use the central shower facility. Throughout
the remainder of the drive-in campsites, restroom buildings would
be relocated so as to be more accessible to campers and to reduce
ground disturbance. Nine existing restroom buildings would be demolished
and 10 new restrooms constructed to serve the
drive-in campsites. One existing restroom building at the southeast
corner of the campground would be upgraded. Some of the existing camper
spurs would need to be modified or moved to allow for the relocated
restrooms. Whenever possible, these new sites would be fully accessible
to disabled visitors. One restroom would be located in the talus zone.
Fifty-nine new walk-in campsites would be located north of the campground
access road. These campsites would be separated into two subareas,
with separate restroom
facilities for each walk-in camp. This development would occur in
the new development area designated in the Yosemite Valley Plan. One
parking area located within the new development zone would provide
59 vehicle spaces to serve the walk-in campsites.
The location of the walk-in
campsites would require the crossing of a major tributary of the Merced
River. Although the parking area would be located south of this wetland
system, access to the sites would require crossing this watercourse
from the parking area. Access to the walk-in campsites would also
need to accommodate a vehicle for servicing and monitoring the campsite
restroom facilities and to provide access for emergency vehicles.
A bridge structure on piers would limit the ground disturbance during
construction and provide a raised platform to span the wetland area.
The bridge would be designed in compliance with the Architectural
Guidelines for Yosemite Valley and would be disabled accessible. The
walk-in campsites would be within the 1997 flood extent.
Lower Pines Campground
Sixty drive-in campsites would continue to be provided at Lower Pines
Campground by removing campsites from the River Protection Overlay
and reconfiguring the existing campground to accommodate these campsites.
Alternative 3 would utilize the existing loop road alignments, improving
only those that would be needed for the relocation of campsites from
the River Protection Overlay (figure II 19); however, paving, drainage,
and campsite spur improvements in the existing areas would be provided.
The removal of the existing amphitheater would create a common open
space between the campground and the adjacent river corridor. The
first loop road would be redesigned to accommodate recreational vehicle
sites with facility pads and electrical hookups. Automobile campsites
would continue to be mixed within the campground. Some campsites would
remain within the 1997 flood extent. The existing shuttle stop along
Southside Drive would be rehabilitated and upgraded.
Three new restroom facilities
without showers would be constructed (one within each loop), and campers
would use the central shower facility to be located near the new campground
check station. The restroom located in the middle of the campground
would be removed. Electrical and water services would be provided
at the new facilities.
Preliminary Project
Sequencing
Table II 4 summarizes the capital improvement projects included in
the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements
Site Study (ARG 2003). The projects have been grouped into five phases.
As the implementation of projects would occur over a number of years,
the sequencing, grouping, and combining of projects would be periodically
revised.
Table II-4
Preliminary Project Sequencing
Project Predecessor Projects
Phase 1
Construct 59 walk-in campsites at Upper Pines Campground Utility upgrades
per East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
Construct 30 drive-in campsites at Upper Pines Campground None
Relocate and rehabilitate restrooms at Upper Pines Campground None
Complete road and drainage improvements at Upper Pines Campground
None
Upgrade Upper Pines campsites per the Americans with Disabilities
Act None
Construct 10 visitor cabin units None
Reconfigure 60 Lower Pines campsites None
Relocate and rehabilitate restrooms at Lower Pines Campground None
Complete road and drainage improvements at Lower Pines Campground
None
Upgrade Lower Pines campsites per the Americans with Disabilities
Act None
Phase 2
Construct 30 walk-in campsites at South Camp and Upper Pines Campground
Utility upgrades per East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
Construct 10 Group campsites at South Camp Utility upgrades per East
Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
Remove Boys Town employee housing Alternative employee housing per
Yosemite Valley Plan
Relocate Curry Village Road Removal of Boys Town
Reconfiguration of parking in project area
(Coordinate with utility upgrades per East Yosemite Valley Utilities
Improvement Plan)
Convert Southside Drive to two-way traffic (where needed) Implementation
of Valley Circulation Plan per Yosemite Valley Plan
Construct campground check station Relocation of Curry Village Road;
Utility Upgrades per East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
Construct shower house near campground check station Utility upgrades
per East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
Construct recreational vehicle dump station Relocation of Curry Village
Road;
utility upgrades per East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan
Remove existing dump station and rehabilitate vicinity Construction
of new recreational vehicle dump station
Phase 3
Complete trail upgrades in Curry Village and campground areas None
(Note: This work should be combined with other projects, as appropriate.)
Construct new shuttle stop at Upper Pines Campground None
Upgrade shuttle stop at Lower Pines Campground None
Relocate Curry Village registration shuttle shop Relocation of Curry
Village Road
Construct new amphitheater near Clark's Bridge Alternative employee
housing per Yosemite Valley Plan; removal of stables, kennel, and
stable area employee housing per Yosemite Valley Plan
Remove Lower Pines amphitheater Construction of new amphitheater near
Clark's Bridge
Remove Southside Drive through Stoneman Meadow Relocation of Curry
Village Road
Construct Curry Orchard parking None
Remove fruit trees from Curry Orchard None
Construct east parking south of Curry Village Road Relocation of Curry
Village Road
Phase 4
Remove Huff House employee housing, including Huff House studio, Huff
House trailers, and manager cabin Alternative employee housing per
Yosemite Valley Plan
Construct parking west of registration building Removal of Huff House
employee housing
Reconfigure Curry Village entry sequence and construct registration
parking Construction of parking west of registration; relocation of
Curry Village Road
Rehabilitate lounge to provide informational and interpretive functions
None
Construct new registration building None
Remove terrace employee housing Alternative employee housing per Yosemite
Valley Plan
Relocate post office boxes Removal of all employee housing
Rehabilitate registration building for interpretive use Construction
of new registration building
Remove 253 of 427 existing tent cabins None
Rehabilitate Stoneman Lodge, 80 cabins-with-bath, Cabin 90A/B, Cottage
819, Huff House, Tresidder House, and Mother Curry Bungalow to guest
accommodations Removal of Huff House employee housing
Phase 5
Construct new seasonal ice rink/summer plaza and skate rental building
Relocation of Curry Village Road
Remove existing ice rink Construction of new seasonal ice rink
Construct 98 new cabins-with-bath Removal of Huff House employee housing;
construction of parking west of registration; removal of existing
ice rink; utility upgrades per East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement
Plan
Remove Cooks' cabins and tents Alternative employee housing per Yosemite
Valley Plan
Construct employee cafeteria/housekeeping and maintenance area adjacent
to the Curry Pavilion Removal of Cooks' cabins and tents
Construct New Mountaineering Shop Removal of Cooks' cabins and tents
Expand grocery store with deli and separate gift function Construction
of new Mountain Shop
Redesign the Curry Pavilion and Meadow Deck food service area per
Concession Services Plan None (coordinate with design of new seasonal
ice rink/summer plaza)
Rehabilitate pool and associated bathhouse facilities None
Rehabilitate amphitheater in Curry Village None
Construct fire station Removal of Huff House employee housing
Convert restroom buildings to bear-proof food storage Removal of 253
tent cabins
Centralize recreational activities Removal of ice rink
Source: ARG 2003
A project's assignment to a particular phase would be dependent upon
its relative importance to the implementation of the Yosemite Valley
Plan and upon other construction projects that must precede it. The
table indicates the necessary predecessors of each project. Some projects
must be preceded by other projects; some would follow other Yosemite
National Park projects that will be undertaken either in the Valley
or elsewhere. As an example, construction of new cabins-with-bath
(shown in Phase 5) would be dependent upon the removal of existing
employee housing occupying that area (shown in Phase 4), which, in
turn, would be dependent on the construction of new employee housing.
Other projects would have no necessary predecessors and could, in
theory, occur whenever funding is available.
Only a few of the over
40 actions contained in the capital improvement projects are currently
funded. The National Park Service will work in the coming years to
obtain funding for the capital improvement projects. Due to the scope
and magnitude of the Curry Village and East Yosemite Campground Improvements
Project, and the uncertainty as to when funding will be available
for most of the actions, it is difficult to estimate the duration
of the construction impacts for the entire project or for the individual
actions that are a part of the whole. It is generally assumed that
each phase would be completed within an approximately five year period,
with Phase 1 completed in years 0-5, Phase 2 completed in years 6-10,
etc. The entire project would be constructed intermittently over a
greater than 20 year period.
Alternatives
Considered but Dismissed
The following alternatives are not addressed in the Curry Village
and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project Environmental
Assessment for one or more of the following reasons:
- The alternative does
not meet the project's purpose and need
- Less environmentally
damaging solutions are available
- Less expensive solutions
are available
- The alternative would
cause unacceptable environmental, cultural, or social impacts
- The alternative conflicts
with the guidance and direction provided in the Merced River Plan
- The alternative conflicts
with the guidance and direction provided in the Yosemite Valley
Plan
Curry Village
Intermittent Removal of Tent Cabins
This alternative was dismissed because it adversely affected the Curry
Village Historic District. As an alternative concept for reaching
the Yosemite Valley Plan goal of removing 253 of the 427 historic
guest tent cabins, an approach of removing every other tent cabin
was explored. While having the beneficial result of retaining the
overall footprint of the tent cabin area, the reduction of the density
of development would have completely altered the quality of the streetscape
in the area.
Retention of Ice
Rink in Present Location as Part of Recreation Facility
This alternative was explored in the process of centralizing the Curry
Village recreational facilities. Although the ice rink's present location
takes advantage of major views across Stoneman Meadow, the Yosemite
Valley Plan prescribed relocating the ice rink to its historic location
north of the Meadow Deck. Thus, this alternative was dismissed because
it did not meet the goals of the Yosemite Valley Plan.
Utilization of Restroom
at Lower Pines to Serve New Amphitheater
This alternative was considered in an effort to keep all utilities
on the south side of the Merced River. However, the distance from
the restrooms to the amphitheater they would serve exceeded the National
Park Service-supported policy of a two-minute maximum walking distance.
Further, the dual usage by both campers and those attending amphitheater
events would overburden the facility or require that it be expanded
to a size out of context with the campground site. Finally, the concessioner
stable (to be removed) includes a restroom facility that could be
upgraded to serve the amphitheater, without the addition of new utilities
on the north side of the river. The use of the Lower Pines restrooms
was dismissed because it would be a more expensive solution, having
greater negative environmental and social impacts, and would be less
supportive of the project's purpose and need.
Campgrounds
Reduced-Density Alternative
Alternatives for South Camp, Lower Pines Campground, and Upper Pines
Campground were developed that reduced the number of campsites. The
purpose in reducing the number of campsites was to increase privacy
by allowing for more space between sites, to limit tree removal by
locating sites around existing trees, and to provide space for facility
pads and parking for larger vehicles.
The reduced-density alternative
provided 6 group sites and 18 walk-in campsites for South Camp, and
51 drive-in campsites for Lower Pines. The six group sites at South
Camp were sized for larger groups (between 25 and 35 people) and the
walk-in sites were placed to minimize tree removal and grading, which
would reduce ground disturbance and impacts associated with soil erosion
and the removal of native vegetation. The number of drive-in sites
at Lower Pines were reduced and sized to better accommodate larger
vehicles and meet other requirements, including compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
At Upper Pines Campground,
various alternatives were considered that reduced the overall density
by removing drive-in sites and replacing them with walk-in sites,
and by developing walk-in sites outside the designated development
areas. These alternatives resulted in various combinations of sites,
including one with 218 drive-in sites and 45 walk-in sites, for a
total reduction of 52 drive-in sites. Another similar scheme resulted
in 193 drive-in sites and 88 walk-in sites amounting to a reduction
of 77 drive-in sites, but an increase of 41 walk-in sites.
These alternatives did
not satisfy Yosemite Valley Plan requirements regarding the number
and type of campsites in east Yosemite Valley. The Yosemite Valley
Plan removes campsites from highly valued resource areas in other
sections of the Valley and from the River Protection Overlay to achieve
unfragmented blocks of restored river corridor. Providing a variety
of campsite types is intended to expand the range of camping experience
in the Valley and satisfy the needs of more visitors. Because the
reduced density alternative did not satisfy the numbers or types of
campsites identified in the Yosemite Valley Plan, this alternative
was dismissed from further analysis.
Development in Yosemite
Valley Plan Unclassified Zones
Developing areas in the unclassified zone was considered because of
potential benefits to the overall visitor experience and the reduced
amount of tree removal that would be required. In Upper Pines, alternatives
were developed that sited the walk-in sites outside of the development
zones designated in the Yosemite Valley Plan. This scheme provided
parking near the campsites in two smaller areas instead of concentrating
parking in one larger lot and reduced the number of trees that would
need to be removed. Locating campsites outside of the designated development
zones did not comply with the Yosemite Valley Plan.
At South Camp, layouts
were explored that located walk-in sites in an unclassified zone north
of the proposed recreational vehicle dump station. This allowed for
more separation of the group sites and a larger buffer between the
walk-in sites and the proposed central shower facility. It also avoided
wetlands in South Camp and reduced the amount of tree removal and
clearing native vegetation. Locating campsites in the unclassified
zone did not comply with the Merced River Plan, which designated the
area for day use only.
Because the alternative
layouts did not comply with the Yosemite Valley Plan or the Merced
River Plan, the alternative was dismissed from further analysis.
Mitigation Measures
Common to All Action Alternatives
To ensure that implementation of the proposed action protects natural,
cultural, and social resources, a consistent set of mitigation measures
would be applied during project implementation to avoid, minimize,
and mitigate adverse impacts.
Sustainable Design
and Aesthetics
The project will avoid or minimize impacts to natural, cultural, and
social resources. The project will be designed to work in harmony
with the surroundings, particularly the cultural landscape of the
Yosemite Valley. The project will reduce, minimize, or eliminate air
and water nonpoint-source pollution. The project will be sustainable
whenever practicable, by recycling and reusing materials, by minimizing
materials, and by minimizing energy consumption during project construction.
The project will utilize building materials that represent natural
tones and blend in with the surrounding wooded environment.
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