Chapter V: Merced Wild and Scenic River
Introduction
In the 1960s, the United States came to recognize that the nation's rivers were being dredged, dammed, diverted, and degraded at an alarming rate. In response, the U.S. Congress established the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, in October of 1968. Designation as a Wild and Scenic River is given to rivers that have been identified as having distinctively unique or "outstandingly remarkable" values that set it apart from other rivers, making it worthy of special protection. The goal of designating a river as Wild and Scenic is to preserve its free-flowing character and unique qualities.

In 1987, Congress designated the Merced River a Wild and Scenic River to protect the river's free-flowing condition and to protect and enhance its unique values for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations (16 United States Code 1271). This designation gives the Merced River special protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and requires the managing agencies to prepare a comprehensive management plan for the river and its immediate environment.

After reaching a Record of Decision on the final environmental impact statement, the National Park Service released the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan) (NPS 2001a) in February 2001, which outlines how the Merced Wild and Scenic River corridor will be managed. 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 management elements include boundaries, classifications, Outstandingly Remarkable Values, the Wild and Scenic River Act Section 7 determination process, the River Protection Overlay, management zoning, and the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection framework.

The National Park Service uses the Merced River Plan management elements as a set of decision-making criteria with which to evaluate projects in the Merced River corridor, such as the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project. This chapter evaluates the consistency of the proposed action with the management elements of the Merced River Plan.

This chapter includes the following sections:

§         Overview of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

§         Overview of the Merced River Plan and its management elements

§         Methods for evaluating the consistency of the proposed action with the Merced River Plan management elements

§         Analysis of the consistency of the proposed action with the Merced River Plan management elements

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542, as amended) states the following:

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dam and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes.

Outstandingly Remarkable Values are defined by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as those resources within a river corridor worthy of special protection. These are the values for which a river is added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act stipulates that these values are to be protected and enhanced. It also stipulates that each agency charged with administration of a segment of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System establish boundaries (an average of not more than 320 acres per mile on both sides of the river) and prepare a comprehensive management plan to provide for the protection of river values. The plan must address resource protection, development of lands and facilities, user capacities, and other management practices necessary to achieve the purposes of the act. The Merced River Plan fulfills this requirement.

Section 2 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires that the river be classified and administered as Wild, Scenic, or Recreational river segments, based on the condition of the river corridor at the time of boundary designation. The classification of a river segment indicates the existing level of development on the shorelines and in the watershed, and the accessibility by road or trail. Classifications are defined in the act as follows:

§         Wild river areas. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shoreline essentially primitive and waters unpolluted.

§         Scenic river areas. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped, but accessible in places by roads.

§         Recreational river areas. Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past.

1987 Designation of the Merced Wild and Scenic River
Public Law 100-149 (1987) and Public Law 102-432 (1992) placed 122 miles of the Merced River into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The National Park Service administers a total of 81 miles of the Merced River, encompassing both the main stem and the South Fork in Yosemite National Park and the El Portal Administrative Site. (This portion of the Merced River is referred to hereafter as the Merced Wild and Scenic River.) The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management administer the remaining 41 miles of the designated river.

Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
In February 2001, the National Park Service released the Merced River Plan. This plan lays out the policy direction by which the National Park Service will manage the 81 miles of river corridor under its jurisdiction.

The purpose of the Merced River Plan is:

...to provide direction and guidance on how best to manage visitor use, development of lands and facilities, and resource protection within the river corridor. The National Park Service developed a series of planning goals to guide management decision-making in these areas. The Merced River Plan is a template against which project implementation plans will be judged to determine whether such projects will protect and enhance the values for which the Merced River was designated Wild and Scenic. As a result, the Merced River Plan provides general direction and guidance for future management decisions; it does not address the specific details of future projects.

Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Elements
As a programmatic plan, the Merced River Plan does not specify detailed actions. Instead, it 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 management elements include the following: boundaries, classifications, Outstandingly Remarkable Values, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 determination process, the River Protection Overlay, management zones, and the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection framework. These management elements are described briefly below as they relate to the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project. For additional information, please refer to the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan available on the Internet at www.nps.gov/yose/planning.htm.

Boundaries
Boundaries define the areas managed under the comprehensive management plan. The act allows for river corridor boundaries averaging no more than 320 acres of land per river mile, measured from the ordinary high-water mark on both sides of the river. Boundaries, however, do not limit protection of Outstandingly Remarkable Values, which must be protected regardless of whether they are inside or outside the corridor boundaries.

In the project vicinity, the river boundary is defined as one-quarter mile from ordinary high water (as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 328.3). Ordinary high water is the line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding area. The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project is situated within the boundaries of the Merced Wild and Scenic River's main stem, specifically within east Yosemite Valley (Segment 2).

Classifications
The classifications of Wild, Scenic, or Recreational are applied to each segment of the river corridor and are based on the existing condition of the river at the time of river designation. The classification of a river segment indicates the level of development on the shorelines, the level of development in the watershed, and the degree of accessibility by road or trail. The east Yosemite Valley river segment at the project area, from the wilderness boundary above Nevada Fall to Sentinel Beach, is classified as Recreational due to its accessibility and the amount of development within the boundary.

Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Outstandingly Remarkable Values are the river-related values that make the river segment unique and worthy of special protection. They form the basis for the river's designation as a Wild and Scenic River. Outstandingly Remarkable Value categories identified for the Yosemite Valley segment of the Merced River include:

§         Scientific. The entire river corridor constitutes a highly significant scientific resource because the river watershed is largely within designated Wilderness in Yosemite National Park. Scientific Outstandingly Remarkable Values relate to the Merced River’s value for research. This Outstandingly Remarkable Value applies to all the Merced River segments.

§         Scenic. This segment of the Merced River provides magnificent views from the river and its banks of waterfalls (Nevada, Vernal, Illilouette, Yosemite, Sentinel, Ribbon, Bridalveil, and Silver Strand), rock cliffs (Half Dome, North Dome/Washington Column, Glacier Point, Yosemite Point/Lost Arrow Spire, Sentinel Rock, Three Brothers, Cathedral Rock, and El Capitan), and meadows (Stoneman, Ahwahnee, Cook’s, Sentinel, Leidig, El Capitan, and Bridalveil). There is a scenic interface of river, rock, meadow, and forest throughout the segment.

§         Geologic Processes/Conditions. This segment contains a classic, glaciated, U-shaped valley, providing important examples of a mature meandering river; hanging valleys such as Yosemite and Bridalveil Creeks; and evidence of glaciation (e.g., moraines below El Capitan and Bridalveil Meadows).

§         Recreation. This segment of the Merced River offers opportunities to experience a spectrum of river-related recreational activities, from nature study and sightseeing to hiking. Yosemite Valley is one of the premier outdoor recreation areas in the world.

§         Biological. Riparian areas and low-elevation meadows are the most productive communities in Yosemite Valley. The vast, high-quality riparian, wetland, and other riverine areas provide rich habitat for a diversity of river-related species, including special-status species, neotropical migrant songbirds, and numerous bat species.

§         Cultural. This segment contains evidence of thousands of years of human occupation, reflected in the large number of archeological sites and continuing traditional use today. Nationally significant historic resources are found here, such as designed landscapes and developed areas, historic buildings, and circulation systems (trails, roads, and bridges) that provide visitor access to sublime views of natural features considered culturally valuable.

§         Hydrologic Processes. This segment is characterized by a meandering river, world-renowned waterfalls, an active flood regime, oxbows, unique wetlands, and fluvial processes.

Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds support the Yosemite Valley segment's scenic Outstanding Remarkable Value, as they possess areas commonly selected as scenic points.

Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds support the Yosemite Valley segment's recreational Outstandingly Remarkable Value, as they offer camping opportunities and access to hiking, biking, and stock trails, as well as access to the Merced Wild and Scenic River. Curry Village also offers several other recreational activities, including rafting, ice skating, and attending programs offered by the Mountaineering School.

Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds support the Yosemite Valley segment's biological Outstandingly Remarkable Value, as they contain riparian, hardwood conifer, Ponderosa pine, and wet meadow natural vegetation communities, including palustrine forest, palustrine emergent, palustrine scrub shrub, and riverine intermittent streambed.

Both Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds contain archeological sites and historic sites that are components of the Yosemite Valley segment's cultural Outstanding Remarkable Value. In particular, Curry Village is a historic district and contributing element to the Yosemite Valley Cultural Landscape. These areas also contain portions of significant circulation systems, that provide visitor access to the sublime views of natural features considered culturally valuable.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 Determination
When Congress enacted the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968, it sought to end decades of damming, dredging, and diversion of some of the nation's most spectacular waterways. While the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not prohibit development along a river corridor, it does specify guidelines for the determination of appropriate actions within the bed and banks of a Wild and Scenic River. Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act specifies restrictions on hydroelectric and water resources development projects, and a key management element for guiding future decisions regarding the Merced River is carried out through a Section 7 determination process. Water resources projects (that is, those that are within the bed or banks of the Merced River and that affect the river's free-flowing condition), are subject to Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 United States Code 1278). As the designated river manager for the Merced River segments addressed by the Merced River Plan, the National Park Service must carry out a Section 7 determination on all proposed water resources projects to ensure they do not directly or adversely affect the values for which the river was designated Wild and Scenic.

The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project is not located within the bed and banks of the Merced River; therefore, it is not a water resources project subject to Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Restoration components of the project would be located in the River Protection Overlay, as discussed below. Restoration would be restricted to the limits of the removed campground facilities and would not occur within the bed and banks of the Merced River.

River Protection Overlay
Areas immediately adjacent to the river channel, along with the river channel itself, are particularly important to the health and proper functioning of the river ecosystem. These areas allow for the main channel to link with backwater areas, tributaries, and groundwater systems; provide for increased channel diversity; and contribute sources of needed nutrients and woody debris to the river. In most circumstances, trees or other large woody debris falling into the river are recognized as part of the natural processes and are left in the river to aid in the recovery of aquatic and riparian habitat. Additionally, areas immediately adjacent to the river channel can help protect surrounding development from potential flood damage and aid to filter runoff water draining into the river.

To ensure that the river channel itself and the areas immediately adjacent to the river are protected, the Merced River Plan includes a management tool called the River Protection Overlay. It is intended as a primary mechanism to achieve the goals of the Merced River Plan. The River Protection Overlay is also intended to identify the location of areas of highest priority for restoration of hydrologic processes and biotic habitats within the river corridor. This critical zone provides a buffer area for natural flood flow, channel formation, riparian vegetation, and wildlife habitat and would protect riverbanks from human-caused impacts and associated erosion. With respect to the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project, the River Protection Overlay includes the river channel itself and extends 150 feet on both sides of the river, measured from the ordinary high-water mark. Portions of this project, particularly within Lower Pines and Upper Pines Campgrounds, occur within the River Protection Overlay. Within such locations, existing campground facilities would be removed from the River Protection Overlay, and the area would be restored with natural vegetation.

Management Zoning
Management zoning is a technique used by the National Park Service to classify park areas and prescribe future desired resource conditions, visitor activities, and facilities. Similar to zoning found in other types of land use planning, such as municipal zoning, management zoning prescribes future desired conditions for a particular area.

Management zoning was developed to protect and enhance the Outstandingly Remarkable Values within each segment of the river. Specifically, the Merced River Plan places an emphasis on integrating protection and enhancement of natural and cultural resource Outstandingly Remarkable Values with the protection and enhancement of the diverse recreation Outstandingly Remarkable Values within the river corridor. Management zoning prescribes certain uses and facilities not allowed in an area. Before such zoning existed, additional development and higher intensity uses by park visitors could have resulted in impacts to Outstandingly Remarkable Values over the long term. Management zoning also provides opportunities for restoration of Outstandingly Remarkable Values in areas where lower use and facility levels are prescribed.

The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project is located in three management zones. The majority of the Curry Village project area is in management zone 3B - Visitor Base and Lodging, with a portion in management zone 2C - Day Use. The east Yosemite Valley campgrounds (Lower Pines, Upper Pines, South Camp) are located in management zone 3A - Camping. These management zones are described below as they apply to the project area.

Management Zone 2C - Day Use
The Day Use zone is intended for popular park destinations where visitors spend significant periods of time enjoying the park resources in a relatively accessible setting. The Day Use zone enhances opportunities for visitors to enjoy more intensive recreational activities near the Merced River and supports a range of active recreational opportunities such as swimming, picnicking, and rafting, which contributes to the diversity of experiences specified in the recreation Outstandingly Remarkable Value. Visitors can expect moderate to high numbers of encounters with other park users in these areas, as well as crowding on certain peak days. In addition, these areas are open to use by large groups. Day Use areas may be accessible by automobile, shuttle bus, and bicycle, with interpretive trails or other marked trails leading to waterfalls, beaches, and scenic views. To accommodate heavier and more concentrated activity, facilities such as parking areas, restrooms, fencing of sensitive areas, picnic tables, and recycling and trash receptacles are allowed in Day Use zones.

Resource protection activities in this zone include restoration of natural processes affected by past or current human use, restoration of natural flood cycles and river channel dynamics to sustain native plant and wildlife species, and use of fire management practices called for in the Fire Management Plan (NPS 1990) to enhance biological and hydrologic Outstandingly Remarkable Values. This zone also encourages the protection and enhancement of cultural resource Outstandingly Remarkable Values, including archeological sites, by limiting development and access. Restoration of natural resources such as wetlands and meadows also contributes to the improvement of the cultural landscape.

Due to the expected larger volume of visitors, however, the Day Use zone is managed with moderate tolerance for resource degradation from visitor use in specified areas. To protect and enhance cultural, biological, and hydrologic Outstandingly Remarkable Values, more extensive resource protection measures may be needed to direct visitor use away from sensitive resources.

Management Zone 3A - Camping
The Camping zone provides visitors with opportunities for both vehicle-access (drive-in) camping and walk-in camping. Drive-in camping areas include campsites with adjacent parking, providing convenient access to various facilities. In addition, support facilities such as picnic tables and restrooms are provided at camping areas. The Camping zone primarily supports the recreational Outstandingly Remarkable Value by ensuring access to diverse recreational activities near the Merced River. Most areas designated as Camping zones have been previously developed, including historic resources such as Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground), which will be preserved under this zoning designation. By concentrating relatively high-impact development in localized areas, this zone helps protect and enhance natural and cultural resource Outstandingly Remarkable Values in the zone as a whole and in other parts of the river corridor.

Walk-in camping provides an opportunity for visitors to camp away from vehicles, but retain access to facilities such as restrooms, water, and picnic tables. Campsites are accessed by relatively short and well-marked trails with directional and informational signs. In walk-in camping areas, visitors have the opportunity to engage more directly with the natural environment of the Merced River corridor without the visual impacts of entry roads, parking lots, vehicles, or other major facilities.

While the Camping zone allows for both drive-in and walk-in camping, less-intensive walk-in camping is directed to more sensitive areas, while drive-in camping is located in areas better able to withstand heavy use (e.g., Upper Pines). In both drive-to and walk-in camping areas, visitor encounters are generally moderate to high in the relatively dense clusters of campsites. The Camping zone is managed with moderate to high tolerance for resource impacts in localized areas. While a certain level of ground hardening for parking sites and trampling by campers is expected, use is directed away from sensitive areas. River access is provided via marked and often hardened trails to direct visitors to areas better able to withstand heavy use, such as annually or regularly flooded gravel bars.

Management Zone 3B - Visitor Base and Lodging
The Visitor Base and Lodging zone includes areas developed for visitor overnight use, as well as support facilities and services such as orientation facilities, eating establishments, gift shops, and equipment rental. Most areas designated as Visitor Base and Lodging zones have been previously developed, including historic resources such as The Ahwahnee, Wawona Hotel, and LeConte Memorial Lodge, which will be preserved under this zoning designation. The visitor can expect a bustling atmosphere in these areas, with high incidence of visitor encounters during peak-use times. Facilities and lodging areas are easily accessible by shuttle bus, automobile, trail, and bicycle.

With its relatively intense level of development, a higher degree of resource impacts may be tolerated in localized areas within the Visitor Base and Lodging zone. Projects in this zone are designed to minimize the footprint of developed areas and to protect and restore adjacent natural and cultural resources. River access is provided via marked and hardened trails to direct visitors to areas most able to withstand heavy use, such as annually or regularly flooded gravel bars. Structures such as fences, boardwalks, or walls are provided to reduce impacts on riparian areas from casual river access generated by nearby lodging facilities.

The Visitor Base and Lodging zone primarily supports the recreational Outstandingly Remarkable Value by providing for visitor uses facilitated by development, such as visitor centers, museums, and lodging, which enable visitors to access the park and learn about its natural and cultural resources. Additionally, by concentrating relatively high-impact development to localized areas, this zone helps protect and enhance natural and cultural resource Outstandingly Remarkable Values in the zone as a whole and in other parts of the river corridor.

Visitor Experience and Resource Protection
The Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) framework is a tool developed by the National Park Service to address user capacities and was adopted by the Merced River Plan to meet the requirements of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The VERP framework protects both park resources and visitor experience from impacts associated with visitor use, and helps managers address visitor-use issues. The VERP framework is an ongoing, iterative process of determining desired conditions (including desired cultural resource conditions, desired natural resource conditions, and desired visitor experiences), selecting and monitoring indicators and standards reflecting these desired conditions, and taking management action when desired conditions are not realized.

The National Park Service began development of the parkwide VERP framework in 1998 and continues to develop desired conditions, indicators, standards, and monitoring protocols. The VERP framework outlined in the Merced River Plan will be implemented by 2005. In the interim, the National Park Service will implement existing management activities and direction contained in the Merced River Plan (e.g., Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 determination, River Protection Overlay, management zoning prescriptions) to address user capacity, protection and enhancement of Outstandingly Remarkable Values, and management of park resources, visitor use, and facilities. In addition, the National Park Service will initiate increased resource monitoring to ensure that conditions do not deteriorate. Appropriate management actions, consistent with existing management activities, will be implemented to prevent further degradation of resources.

Methodology
This assessment is based on the management elements developed in the Merced River Plan. The project area lies in Yosemite Valley and in Segment 2 of the Merced Wild and Scenic River. For the purposes of this analysis of potential effects on Outstandingly Remarkable Values, the two action alternatives are compared to the No Action Alternative (see Chapter II, Alternatives). The focus of the analysis is on long-term effects (e.g., effects that would last 10 years or more or would be permanent). Short-term effects are not addressed in this analysis unless they are of sufficient magnitude (i.e., having a substantial, highly noticeable influence) to warrant consideration.

The action alternatives have been assessed with regard to: (1) protection and enhancement of Outstandingly Remarkable Values; (2) compatibility with classifications; (3) consistency with the River Protection Overlay; and (4) consistency with management zoning. This Wild and Scenic Rivers Act analysis is required because the proposed project is within the Wild and Scenic River boundaries.

Protection and Enhancement of Outstandingly Remarkable Values
Pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the act shall be administered to protect and enhance Outstandingly Remarkable Values within the Wild and Scenic River corridor boundary. Uses that are consistent with this provision and that do not substantially interfere with public enjoyment and use of these values should not be limited (16 United States Code 1281[a]). In addition, Outstandingly Remarkable Values located outside the Wild and Scenic River corridor boundary must also be protected.

According to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Outstandingly Remarkable Values must be protected and enhanced on a segment-wide basis. Analysis of Outstandingly Remarkable Values is thus focused on segment-wide effects rather than site-specific or localized effects. Exceptions to the segment-wide guideline include site-specific activities that could have substantial effects on Outstandingly Remarkable Values, such as degradation of habitat of a river-related special-status species (a biological Outstandingly Remarkable Value) that is endemic to that location. For the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project, Outstandingly Remarkable Values are evaluated based on effects to such values within the Yosemite Valley segment of the Merced River.

In terms of evaluating potential effects to Outstandingly Remarkable Values, actions that could degrade Outstandingly Remarkable Values on a segment-wide basis include actions with effects that would be discernible throughout the majority of the river segment, or would be of sufficient magnitude to affect adjacent segments. For this analysis, the following assumptions for each Outstandingly Remarkable Value were made:

§         Scientific. The analysis considers whether the proposed action would affect the integrity of the Merced Wild and Scenic River as a scientific resource or would degrade the river’s value for research.

§         Scenic. The analysis considers the specific features that are listed in the scenic Outstandingly Remarkable Value for the Yosemite Valley segment; potential effects to views are analyzed from the perspective of a person situated on the riverbank or on the river.

§         Geologic Processes/Conditions. The analysis gives primary consideration to designated processes, and evidence of those processes (e.g., U-shaped valley, hanging valleys, evidence of glaciation, etc.), that have been responsible for creating the river’s geologic landscape. Effects related to natural meandering of the Merced River are addressed in the hydrologic processes Outstandingly Remarkable Value.

§         Recreation. The analysis considers whether opportunities to experience a spectrum of river-related recreational activities would be affected.

§         Biological. The analysis focuses on effects to riparian areas, wetlands, low-elevation meadows, and other riverine areas that provide rich habitat for a diversity of river-related species.

§         Cultural. The analysis considers effects to river-related cultural resources, including archeological sites and continuing traditional use today. The analysis also considers effects on nationally significant historic resources, such as designed landscapes and developed areas, historic buildings, and circulation systems (trails, roads, and bridges) that provide visitor access to culturally valuable views.

§         Hydrologic Processes. Consideration is primarily given to designated processes such as river meandering, world-renowned waterfalls, an active flood regime, oxbows, and fluvial processes. Effects to wetlands are addressed in the biological Outstandingly Remarkable Value.

It is possible for Outstandingly Remarkable Values to be in conflict with each other, or for an action to have beneficial impacts with regard to one Outstandingly Remarkable Value and adverse impacts with regard to other Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The Merced River Plan recognizes this possibility, stating (on page 32):

Actions must protect all Outstandingly Remarkable Values, regardless of where they are located. When Outstandingly Remarkable Values lie within the boundary of the Wild and Scenic River, the value must be protected and enhanced. When values are in conflict with each other, the net effect to Outstandingly Remarkable Values must be beneficial.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act stipulates that agencies be given discretion to manage a river system with "varying degrees of intensity for its protection and development, based on the special attributes of the area." For example, there may be conflicts between protecting cultural resources and hydrologic processes, as would be the case with a historic bridge that constricts the flow of the river.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 Determination Process
Pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Park Service must carry out a Section 7 determination on all proposed water resources projects. The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project is not located within the bed and banks of the Merced River; therefore, it is not a water resources project subject to Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Restoration components of the project would be located in the River Protection Overlay and would occur within the limits of the removed campground facilities; however, restoration would not occur within the bed and banks of the Merced River.

Consistency with the Merced River Plan
Outstandingly Remarkable Values
The effects of the two action alternatives are summarized in table V-1. Overall, the action alternatives would protect and enhance each Outstanding Remarkable Value on a segment-wide basis. However, local, long-term, minor, adverse effects to biological and cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Values would occur. The action alternatives would have long-term beneficial effects on the scenic, recreation, biological, cultural, and hydrologic processes Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The action alternatives would have no effect on the scientific and geologic processes/conditions Outstandingly Remarkable Values.

Relationship to Boundary
Both action alternatives would occur within the Merced Wild and Scenic River boundary in Segment 2, Yosemite Valley.

Classifications
The Yosemite Valley river segment in which Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds are located is classified as Recreational due to its accessibility by road and the amount of development within the river segment, particularly along the Merced River shoreline.

Both of the action alternatives would be compatible with the Recreational classification. With each alternative, the aggregate number of campsites would increase; however, the total number of lodging units would decrease. While the amount and type of shoreline development would slightly increase under this action, resulting from a net increase in camping facilities, there would be no detrimental effect on the Yosemite Valley segment, as the aggregate amount of development within the watershed would remain essentially unchanged. Furthermore, vehicle access to the river would remain unchanged.

River Protection Overlay
Both action alternatives would be compatible with the River Protection Overlay. Under each alternative, the Lower Pines and Upper Pines Campgrounds and facilities would be relocated outside of the River Protection Overlay. Such facilities are considered nonessential facilities within the overlay. In addition, new development and redevelopment components of each alternative would be located outside of the River Protection overlay boundaries. Locations of former campsites and facilities within the overlay would be revegetated with suitable vegetation to restore hydrologic processes and biotic habitats within the river corridor. These areas would help protect adjacent development from potential flood damage and would filter runoff water draining to the river.

Table V-1 Effects of the Action Alternatives on Outstandingly Remarkable Values in the Yosemite Valley Segment of the Merced Wild and Scenic River Corridor
Outstandingly Remarkable Value	Effects of the Proposed Action
Scientific
The entire river corridor constitutes a highly significant scientific resource because the river watershed is largely within designated Wilderness in Yosemite National Park. Scientific Outstandingly Remarkable Values relate to the Merced River’s value for research. This Outstandingly Remarkable Value applies to all the Merced River segments.	The action alternatives would have no effect on the scientific Outstandingly Remarkable Value. Neither action alternative would affect the integrity of the Merced Wild and Scenic River as a scientific resource or would degrade the river’s value for research.
Scenic
This segment provides magnificent views from the river and its banks of waterfalls (Nevada, Vernal, Illilouette, Yosemite, Sentinel, Ribbon, Bridalveil, and Silver Strand), rock cliffs (Half Dome, North Dome/Washington Column, Glacier Point, Yosemite Point/Lost Arrow Spire, Sentinel Rock, Three Brothers, Cathedral Rock, and El Capitan), and meadows (Stoneman, Ahwahnee, Cook’s, Sentinel, Leidig, El Capitan, and Bridalveil). There is a scenic interface of river, rock, meadow, and forest throughout the segment.	Both action alternatives would remove a portion of the Lower Pines Campground. Furthermore, campsites and campground infrastructure would be relocated out of the River Protection Overlay at Upper Pines and Lower Pines. New walk-in and drive-in campsites at Upper Pines would be visible from the river and could result in the minor degradation of river-related vegetation from visitor use/travel. While the new walk-in and drive-in camp sites would have minor, localized, long-term, adverse impacts on the scenic interface of river, rock, meadow, and forest, removal of campground infrastructure facilities followed by restoration of the River Protection Overlay would protect and enhance the scenic Outstandingly Remarkable Value on a segment-wide basis.
Geologic Processes/Conditions
This segment contains a classic, glaciated, U-shaped valley, providing important examples of a mature meandering river; hanging valleys such as Yosemite and Bridalveil Creeks; and evidence of glaciation (e.g., moraines below El Capitan and Bridalveil Meadows).	The action alternatives would have no effect on the geologic processes/conditions Outstandingly Remarkable Value. Neither action alternative would affect the classic U-shaped valley, hanging valleys, or evidence of glaciation.
Recreation
This segment offers opportunities to experience a spectrum of river-related recreational activities, from nature study and sightseeing to hiking. Yosemite Valley is one of the premier outdoor recreation areas in the world.	The action alternatives would protect and enhance the recreation Outstandingly Remarkable Value by providing improved and increased campground/lodging facilities, thereby providing more opportunities over the long term to experience a spectrum of river-related recreational activities, such as nature study, sightseeing, photography, and enjoying solitude and natural sounds along the river.
Biological
Riparian areas and low-elevation meadows are the most productive communities in Yosemite Valley. The high-quality, vast riparian, wetland, and other riverine areas provide rich habitat for a diversity of river-related species, including special-status species, neotropical migrant songbirds, and numerous bat species.	Both action alternatives would remove campsites and campground infrastructure from the River Protection Overlay at Upper Pines and Lower Pines. These areas would be restored with appropriate riparian, wetland, and meadow vegetation. These actions would contribute to restoration of the natural flood regime, and allow the river to meander more freely (where applicable). As a result, the condition of river-related habitats would be monitored and visitor use managed. Therefore, the proposed action alternatives would protect and enhance the biological Outstandingly Remarkable Value.  The redevelopment of Curry Village, particularly the construction of lodging units, would have radiating visitor use/travel impacts on meadow and riparian communities nearby. Although this would have a long-term, minor adverse impact on the biological Outstanding Remarkable Value, on a segment-wide basis, this Outstanding Remarkable Value would be protected.
Cultural
This segment contains evidence of thousands of years of human occupation, reflected in the large number of archeological sites and continuing traditional use today. Nationally significant historic resources are found here, such as designed landscapes and developed areas, historic buildings, and circulation systems (trails, roads, and bridges) that provide visitor access to the sublime views of natural features considered culturally valuable.	Both action alternatives could result in long-term, minor, adverse impacts to archeological resources and traditional-use areas from construction of new campgrounds, lodging facilities, and associated trails, thereby resulting in a long-term, minor, adverse impact to the cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Value. Where appropriate, archeological excavation would potentially mitigate these impacts during the demolition phase of construction.   Redesign and removal of the amphitheater would enhance the growth of ethnographic plant resources located along the Merced River. Potential impacts to ethnographic village locales and other areas of ethnographic resource procurement would be minimized through consultation with appropriate Native American groups during the detailed design of facilities, and under the park’s 1999 Programmatic Agreement and the cooperating agreement for traditional uses.   The removal of Southside Drive through Stoneman Meadow would produce a long-term beneficial impact to the cultural landscape, by restoring the open character of the meadow. Actions affecting the Curry Village Historic District will be in accordance with the Secretaries Guidelines and the 1999 Programmatic Agreement. Refer to the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Environmental Assessment, Chapter II, Alternatives, for mitigation measures incorporated into the proposed action to address the potential for impacts to cultural resources. The proposed action will protect and enhance the cultural Outstanding Remarkable Value for the Valley segment.
Hydrologic Processes
This segment is characterized by a meandering river, world-renowned waterfalls, an active flood regime, oxbows, unique wetlands, and fluvial processes.	Both action alternatives would remove and restore campgrounds within the River Protection Overlay. This would contribute to restoration of the flood regime, allowing the river to meander more freely. Therefore, the action alternatives would have a major beneficial effect on the hydrologic processes Outstandingly Remarkable Value.  Construction of lodging units at Curry Village would have radiating visitor use/travel impacts to the riverbanks nearby (e.g., bank destabilization, unnatural erosion). With the incorporation of fencing around sensitive areas and directing visitors to more resilient areas, these impacts would result in a local, long-term, minor, adverse impact to the hydrologic processes Outstanding Remarkable Value. On a segment-wide basis, the hydrologic processes would be protected and enhanced.

Management Zoning
The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project is located in three management zones. The majority of the Curry Village project area is in management zone 3B - Visitor Base and Lodging, with a portion in management zone 2C - Day Use. The east Yosemite Valley campgrounds (Lower Pines, Upper Pines, South Camp) are located in management zone 3A - Camping.

The majority of Curry Village is located within the Visitor Base and Lodging zone. With its relatively intense level of development, a higher degree of resource impacts may be tolerated in localized areas within the Visitor Base and Lodging zone. Both of the action alternatives include reorganization and modifications to Curry Village lodging and circulation patterns, expansion of the grocery store, relocation of the ice rink and Mountain Shop, and parking improvements. These facilities are allowed in the Visitor Base and Lodging zone. Both of the action alternatives have been designed to minimize the footprint of developed areas and protect and restore adjacent natural and cultural resources consistent with the Visitor Base and Lodging management zone.

The portion of the Curry Village project area located within the Day Use zone includes a piece of Stoneman Meadow currently bisected by Southside Drive. Allowed resource protection activities in zone 2C include restoration of natural processes affected by past or current human use, restoration of natural flood cycles and river channel dynamics to sustain native plant and wildlife species, and use of fire management practices to enhance biological and hydrologic Outstandingly Remarkable Values. This zone also encourages the protection and enhancement of the cultural resource Outstandingly Remarkable Value by limiting development and access. Both action alternatives would close Southside Drive, realigning visitor traffic via a new extension of Curry Village Road. This action would not affect visitor day-use activities such as hiking, nature study, picnicking, social gathering, etc. The action alternatives would therefore be consistent with the Day Use zone. No other development is proposed within this management zone.

The east Valley campgrounds (Lower Pines, Upper Pines, and South Camp) are located within the Camping zone. The Camping zone is managed with moderate to high tolerance for resource impacts in localized areas. While a certain level of ground hardening for parking sites and trampling by campers is expected, visitor use is directed away from sensitive areas. The action alternatives would relocate campground facilities outside of the River Protection Overlay, allowing for localized resource impacts in more appropriate areas. These campground improvements are consistent with management zone 3A.

Visitor Experience and Resource Protection
The Curry Village and East Yosemite Campground Improvements project supports the management activities and direction contained in the Merced River Plan (e.g., Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 determination, River Protection Overlay, management zoning prescriptions) to address user capacity, protection and enhancement of Outstandingly Remarkable Values, and management of park resources, visitor use, and facilities. The actions undertaken as part of the improvement project is consistent with the concepts outlined in the Yosemite Valley Plan. The removal of campsites outside of the River Protection Overlay directly supports the protection and enhancement of Outstanding Remarkable Values. The project provides resource monitoring actions to minimize impacts to valuable resources. The proposed Curry Village and campground improvements will protect park resources and visitor experience from impacts associated with visitor use consistent with the VERP framework. The proposed improvements would occur within Yosemite Valley Plan-designated development zones. Several improvements would remove visitor uses out of sensitive resource areas (e.g., removal of campsites from the River Protection Overlay, removal of Southside Drive from Stoneman Meadow).

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