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Chapter VI: Consultation and Coordination
Compliance History
An overview of environmental compliance documents completed pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy Act that relate to the Curry
Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project are
presented below, in chronological order:
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The Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive
Management Plan (Merced River Plan) applies seven management elements
to prescribe desired future conditions, typical visitor activities
and experiences, and park facilities and management activities allowed
in the river corridor. The Merced River Plan applies to any project
that is within the Wild and Scenic
River boundary or would
affect the Outstandingly Remarkable Values or free-flowing condition
of the river.
§
The National Park Service developed and approved the Yosemite
Valley Plan to implement the goals of the 1980
General Management Plan in Yosemite
Valley. The approved Yosemite
Valley Plan is designed to meet the resource preservation
and visitor experience goals in Yosemite Valley
and calls out specific actions to meet these goals. Among the actions
approved in the Yosemite Valley Plan for the Curry
Village and east Yosemite
Valley campgrounds are elimination of a number of tent
cabins and elimination of campsites located within the River Protection
Overlay, and removal of the road through Stoneman Meadow. Other actions
related to the project area include an increase in the number of campsites,
decrease in the number of lodging units, and changes to circulation,
parking, and trail facilities in the Yosemite Valley.
Scoping History
The purpose of the scoping period is to identify issues and concerns
related to the planning process and to identify the range of issues
that will be addressed in the environmental analysis. The National
Park Service held monthly meetings through their Planning Clearinghouse
process to ensure that the actions proposed in theCurry Village and
East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project met the requiremetns
of the laws and policies that govern Yosemite National Park. The Planning
Clearinghouse meetings provided a forum to discuss operational, resource,
and compliance issues related to the project. The meetings took place
once a month, typically on the second Tuesday of each month. A meeting
agenda was available beforehand on the National Park Service web site.
Project proponents, management staff, compliance staff, and technical
experts were present at the meeting.
After the draft document is prepared and the rnage of issues described,
a public comment period will be held to solicit comments on a draft
plan and its environmental assessment. Federal Register notice
and media announcements initiate the beginning of a formal public
commment period. The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground
Improvements Project has been considered in previous National Park
Service planning efforts, including the Merced River Plan and the
Yosemite Valley Plan. Scoping and public comment periods were
a part of both of these planning efforts. Therefore, public comments
received during these efforts have been considered in the context
of the Curry Village and East Yosemite Campground Improvements Project
and development of this environmental assessment.
Project Scoping
Scoping for the Curry Village and East Yosemite Campground
Improvements Project began in the fall of 2002, when the National
Park Service requested public comment and participation on the preparation
of this environmental assessment. The formal public scoping period
for the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements
Project Environmental Assessment began with a Federal Register
notice on Septemer 18, 2002 that described the intent of the project
and solicited comments from the public through October 26, 2002. An
open house was held at Yosemite National Park on October 23, 2002
to solicit comments.
During the public scoping period, the park received 42 written responses.
All comments were reviewed and analyzed for specific requests and
common themes. Based on scoping comments and applicable federal law,
the National Park Service determined that an environmental assessment
(and not an environmental impact statement) was the appropriate level
of compliance for the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground
Improvements Project. Public comments generated through the scoping
process were used in the alternatives development phase and in the
analysis provided in this document.
Coordination
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The National Park Service is coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers regarding wetland permitting for the Curry Village and
East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements project. The National
Park Service will submit a Section 404 wetland fill permit application
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Curry Village and East
Yosemite Campground Improvements Project and this permit would be
in place prior to project implementation.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 et seq.)
requires all federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out
by the agency does not jeopardize the continued existence of listed
species or critical habitat. The National Park Service requested a
list of federally listed endangered and threatened species that may
be present in the Yosemite Valley area in January 2003. The species
list was received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on February
23, 2003, and was used as the basis for the special-status analysis
in this environmental assessment (see Appendix C, Special Status Species
Evaluation). Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
will continue, as defined by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act,
as environmental compliance for the Curry Village and East Yosemite
Campground Improvements Project is finalized.
California State Historic Preservation Officer
A Programmatic Agreement among the National Park Service at Yosemite,
the California State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation regarding Planning, Design, Construction,
Operations and Maintenance, Yosemite National Park, California was
developed in consultation with Native American tribes having cultural
association with Yosemite National Park and was executed in October
1999. Pursuant to Article VI of the Programmatic Agreement, the review
process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
of 1966, as amended, is being conducted in conjunction with this NEPA
review process. The National Park Service has provided notice to the
California State Historic Preservation Officer regarding this project
and will continue consultation with them regarding avoidance and minimization
of adverse effects to historic properties.
A total of 13 cultural resource sites have been documented thus far
within the area of potential effect. Archeological resources within
Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds are from the
historic era as well as prehistoric occupations. All of the 13 cultural
resource sites situated within the project area were nominated to
and included on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978,
as contributing elements of the Yosemite Valley Archeological District.
Many historic sites and structures within Yosemite Valley have been
singled out for their significance and are either National Historic
Landmarks or are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historical resources in Yosemite National Park were identified and
evaluated in 1979 in the Cultural Resources Management Plan (NPS 1979)
and in the memorandum of agreement (1979) among the California State
Historic Preservation Officer, the National Park Service, and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and its accompanying correspondence.
A subsequent Historic Resources Study (NPS 1987) and other project-specific
reports identified and evaluated structures and sites not addressed
in those earlier documents.
The Draft National Register Nomination for the Yosemite Valley Historic
District (NPS 2002) includes all the buildings of the Camp Curry (Curry
Village) Historic District, listed in 1978 and amended in 1979, as
well as additional structures within Curry Village and several others
outside Curry Village's district boundary. The period of significance
for the Yosemite Valley Historic District covers the period from Indian
settlement to 1945. The Camp Curry Historic District includes the
Tresidder Residence, Mother Curry's Bungalow, the original registration
building, several bungalow units, and 556 canvas tent cabins. The
tent cabins constitute the most significant and intact tent cabin
complex left in the National Park System. This district also retains
a number of contributing features that reflect the original development
of this area as a rustic lodging complex. Within Curry Village there
are 111 contributing buildings and 561 contributing structures from
the period of significance. There are also three contributing sites,
two within Curry Village (the remains of the original LeConte Memorial
Lodge and the Curry Orchard Parking Area), and one outside the Village
boundary (Stoneman Meadow).
In addition to compliance with the stipulations of the 1997 agreement,
implementation of the proposed improvements would comply with the
requirements set forth in Appendix E (Adverse Effects and Standard
Mitigation Measures for Historical Properties) of the Yosemite Valley
Plan. These requirements are included in the 1999 Programmatic Agreement
between the National Park Service, the State Historic Preservation
Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for the
"Resolution of Adverse Effects" associated with planning,
construction, operations, and maintenance activities within Yosemite.
The National Park Service will request consensus from the agencies
upon completion of this environmental assessment.
American Indian Consultation
National Park Service consultation with American Indian groups occurred
throughout the development of the Yosemite Valley Plan. Yosemite National
Park is consulting with American Indian tribes that have cultural
associations with Yosemite Valley, including the American Indian Council
of Mariposa County, Inc. (Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation), the Tuolumne
Me-wuk Tribal Council, and the Mono Lake Indian Community on proposed
actions under the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground
Improvements Project. Information sharing and project planning included
consultation sessions with the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation on August
1, 2002 and April 24, 2003. Consultation and partnering will continue
with American Indian tribes throughout the planning and implementation
of the project.
Tribal members have expressed concern over the deep trenching that
would be performed in association with the Curry Village upgrade to
accommodate the utilities. Concern about a known burial site northwest
of the employee housing project area was expressed. Tribal members
requested that archeological research and testing be conducted in
this area to determine the potential for additional burials.
Tribal members also expressed concern about plant life around the
talus zone at Upper Pines Campground, and about gathering areas in
both the Upper and Lower Pines Campground areas, indicating that there
are additional gathering areas not shown on the National Park Service
map. They stressed that gathering is not limited to mushrooms, but
includes other plants such as tobacco (for medicinal use) and sourberry.
There was a unified general desire for the National Park Service to
use areas that are already disturbed, rather than disturbing areas
that have not been disturbed. They also expressed concerns regarding
potential impacts to fish due to concrete buried in the riverbed.
Future Information
Updated information about various aspects of the Curry Village and
East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project will be periodically
distributed via newsletters, mailings, the Yosemite National Park
web site (www.nps.gov/yose/planning),
and regional and local news media. There will be a 30-day public comment
period on this environmental assessment. To be placed on the mailing
list, leave a name and address on the voicemail at 209/379-1365. Individuals
may request a copy of the scoping analysis or comment analysis report,
or submit written comments regarding this environmental assessment
using the address below.
Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
ATTN: Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements
Project
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, California 95389
or email comments to:
YOSE_Planning@nps.gov
or fax comments to:
209/379-1294
List of Agencies, Organizations, and Businesses
that Received the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campgrounds
Improvement Project Environmental Assessment
ADA Compliance Service
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
AIA California Council
Alameda County Public Library
All Seasons Groveland Inn
American Alpine Club
American Hiking Society
American Indian Council of Mariposa, Inc.
American River Club
American Whitewater
Ansel Adams Gallery
Antelope Valley Press
Associated Press
Automobile Club of Southern California
Backcountry Horsemen of California
Bakersfield Californian
Bassett Memorial Library
Biophilia Society
Bishop Chamber of Commerce
Bishop Paiute Tribe
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
California Department of Boating and Waterways
California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Parks and Recreation
California Department of Justice,
Attorney General
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Caltrans, Transportation Planning Branch
Caltrans Central Regional Environmental Analysis Office
Caltrans District 9
Caltrans District 6
Caltrans Division of Transportation Planning, MS32
Caltrans Environmental Planning
Caltrans New Technology and Research
Caltrans Planning
California Native American Heritage Commission
California Office of Historic Preservation
California Office of Planning and Research
California Regional Water Quality Control Board
California State Clearinghouse
California State Department of Justice
California State Mining and Mineral Museum
California State Resources Agency
California State Senate
California Trade and Commerce Agency
California Trout Inc, Sierra Nevada Office
California Preservation Foundation
California State Automobile Association
California State Library
California Wilderness Coalition
Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center
California Native Plant Society Sequoia Chapter
Coconino National Forest
Coldwell Banker - Dan Blough & Associates
Columbia College Library
Comfort Inn
Congressman George Miller
Conservation Study Institute
Contra Costa Times
Council of Fresno County Governments
California State University Fresno, Henry Madden Library
California State University Stanislaus
Cycle California! Magazine
David Evans & Associates
Delaware North Corporation
Department of Defense U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Earth First! - Santa Cruz
Earth Island Institute
Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund
East Bay Bicycle Coalition
Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce
ECO News
Economic Development Council
El Portal Chevron
El Portal Homeowners Association
El Portal Market
El Portal Town Planning Advisory Committee
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment Now
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Science Associates
Fish Camp Advisory Council
Fish Camp Property Owners Association
Foothill Resources
Fort Clatsop National Monument
Fresno Chamber of Commerce
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Fresno County Planning and Resource Management
Fresno County City Planning Department
Fresno Flats Historical Library, SHSA
Fresno Visitors Bureau
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the River
Friends of the River/American Rivers
Friends of Yosemite Valley
George Radanovich, Representative
Groveland Branch Library
Groveland Community Services District
Groveland Ranger District
Groveland Rotary
Heritage Trails
Highway 120 Association
Highways Magazine
Host Communications
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Inyo County Planning Department
Inyo National Forest
John T. Doolittle, Representative
KCBS-AM Radio
KCRA TV
KFBK Radio
KFIV Radio
KGO Radio
KMJ Radio
KMPH Radio
KOVR TV
KQED Radio
KTVU
KUHL/KZSQ Radio
KVML, KZSQ, and KKBN
KXTV
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants
Law Offices of Sharon Duggan
Los Angeles City Public Library
Los Angeles Times
Madera County
Madera County Board of Supervisors
Madera County Chuckchansi Tribal Government
Madera County North Fork Mono Indian Museum
Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Marin County Public Library
Mariposa County
Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District
Mariposa County Board of Supervisors
Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce
Mariposa County Department of Public Works
Mariposa County High School
Mariposa County Public Library
Mariposa County Unified School District
Mariposa County Visitors Bureau
Mariposa Gazette
Mariposa Horse Association
Mariposa Superintendent of Public Schools
Mariposa Tribune
Merced Conference and Visitor Center
Merced County Association of Governments
Merced County Planning Commission
Merced County Planning Department
Merced Irrigation District
Merced Sun Star
MERG
Minarets Ranger District
Modesto City Planning Department
Mono County Board of Supervisors
Mono County Bridgeport Paiute Indian Colony
Mono County Community Development Department
Mono County Mono Lake Indian Community
Mono County Planning Department
Monograph Acquisition Services
Mountain Light Photography
National Park Service (NPS)
NPS - Air Resources Division
NPS - Columbia Cascades Seattle Office
NPS - Denver Service Center
NPS - Pacific West Region
NPS - Pacific Great Basin Support Office
NPS - Water Resources Division
NPS - Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs
National Tour Association
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Native Habitats
Natural Resources Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
NBC News
NBC TV
NewFields International, L.L.C.
Newsweek
North Fork Rancheria
Northcoast Environmental Center
National Parks and Conservation Association, National Office
Oakdale Planning Division
Oakhurst Public Library
Oakland Tribune
Office of Assemblyman Dave Cogdill
Official Trip Reports
SBC Pacific Bell
Pacific Gas and Electric Public Affairs
Pacific Legal Foundation
Planning and Conservation League
Pacific Southwest Region Forest and Range Experimental Station
Ramada Limited Oakhurst
Robert Crown Law Library
Royal Robbins, Inc.
Sacramento County Public Library
Saint Patrick-Saint Vincent High School
Salazar Library, Sonoma State University
San Bernardino County Public Library
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco City Public Library
San Francisco Examiner
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Hetch Hetchy Water and
Power
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
San Jose City Public Library
San Jose Mercury News
San Mateo County Office of Education
Santa Cruz County Library
Save-the-Redwoods League
Saving Yosemite
Scotty's B&B/Cabin Rentals
Service Employees International Union Local 535
Sequoia Alliance
Sierra Club
Sierra Club Condor Group
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
Sierra Club Merced Group
Sierra Club National Office
Sierra Club Range of Light, Toiyabe Chapter
Sierra Club Tuolumne Group
Sierra Club Yosemite Committee
Sierra Communications
Sierra National Forest
Sierra Railroad Company
Sierra Star
Sierra Telephone
Senator Diane Feinstein
Sonoma County Library
Sonora Union Democrat
Soroptomist International of Groveland
Stanford University Green Library
Stanislaus County Environmental Review Committee
Stanislaus Council of Government
Stanislaus County Library
Stanislaus National Forest
State Water Resources Control Board
Stockton Record
Sustainable Futures Project
Teamsters 386
The Access Fund
The Fresno Bee
The Modesto Bee
The Mountain Democrat Newspaper
The Redwoods in Yosemite
The Sacramento Bee
The Trust for Public Land
Theroux Environmental
Tioga Lodge
The Nature Conservancy Weed Program
Tuolumne County
Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors
Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce
Tuolumne County Community Development
Tuolumne County Department of Public Works
Tuolumne County Planning Commission
Tuolumne County Tuolumne Me-wuk Tribal Council
Tuolumne County Visitor Bureau
University of California Berkeley Bancroft Library
University of California Davis Shields Library
University of California Water Resources Center Archives
University of California Los Angeles Maps and Government Information
Library
University of California Los Angeles Young Research Library
University of Minnesota Forestry Library
United States Attorney's Office
University of California Library Tech Services
U.S. Congress
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
U.S. Post Office
USA Media
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service
U.S. Department of the Interior Library
USGS Publications Department
USGS Water Resources Division, Western Region
Via Adventures
Wawona Area Property Owners Association
Wawona Town Plan Advisory Committee
Wild Earth Advocates
Wild Wilderness
Wilderness Society
Wilderness Watch
Woodbury University
Yosemite Area Audubon
Yosemite Association
Yosemite Association Board of Trustees
Yosemite Bug Hostel
Yosemite Campers Association
Yosemite Campers Coalition
Yosemite Fund
Yosemite Guides
Yosemite Institute
Yosemite Mobilization Committee
Yosemite Motels
Yosemite Mountaineering School
Yosemite Partners GMP
Yosemite Pines
Yosemite Research Center
Yosemite Research Library
Yosemite Restoration Trust
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
Yosemite Sightseeing Tours
Yosemite Valley Railroad Company
Yosemite Valley School
Yosemite West Group
Yosemite West Home Owners
Yosemite West Real Estate
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