Main - Environmental Assessment Errata - Letter from the Superintendent - Abstract - Executive Summary - Table of Contents Purpose and Need - Alternatives - Affected Environment - Environmental Consequences - Merced Wild and Scenic River - Consultation and Coordination List of Preparers and Reviewers - Glossary - Bibliography - Appendices

Yosemite Home . Yosemite Planning Page

Executive Summary

Introduction

Yosemite Valley is the primary visitor destination within Yosemite National Park. To provide a comprehensive approach to managing the varied activities undertaken in the Valley, the National Park Service developed the Yosemite Valley Plan. The National Park Service selected Yosemite Valley Plan Alternative 2, as described in the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (NPS 2000a), because it would provide an overall combination of actions to restore natural processes in Yosemite Valley, preserve cultural resource values, reduce harmful environmental impacts, and offer continued opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences. The actions proposed in the Yosemite Valley Plan incorporated many of the goals of several previous planning efforts and re-evaluated their potential actions and relationships.

 The concepts and actions for the project area contained within the Yosemite Valley Plan form the framework for the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project. The actions approved in the Yosemite Valley Plan for Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds were intended to reduce visitor impacts on sensitive resources and update visitor facilities to meet current and future total daily visitation of approximately 18,200 visitors. The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project would implement the concepts approved in the Yosemite Valley Plan for the identified development and redevelopment areas. The project proposes changes to the number and location of lodging units and campsites, expansion and rehabilitation of existing and construction of new visitor-serving uses, changes to parking facilities and circulation/access roadways, construction of new pedestrian trails, and upgrading of utilities as necessary.

 Purpose Of and Need For the Project

The primary purpose of this project is to provide detailed location, program, and design criteria for Curry Village and the east Yosemite Valley campgrounds, as outlined in the Yosemite Valley Plan. The Yosemite Valley Plan does not provide specific design information for implementation of individual projects. The project develops locations of new facilities and road configurations and provides more detailed plans for Curry Village and the campgrounds, in accordance with the Yosemite Valley Plan.

 The need for the project, as identified in the Yosemite Valley Plan, developed over time due to increased visitor use and resulting impacts to Curry Village and the campgrounds, as well as visitor demand for expanded or additional facilities. In addition, the 1997 flood damaged several areas and facilities within the project area, resulting in a need for upgrades to these facilities. The Yosemite Valley Plan has a goal of increasing the overall number and improving the quality of the campsites, while removing sites from the Merced River floodplain and avoiding rockfall zones. The Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project would provide the required design documentation to enable implementation of conceptual improvements identified in the Yosemite Valley Plan. Table ES‑1 shows a comparison of the number of lodging units, parking spaces, and campsites identified by the Yosemite Valley Plan Alternative 2 and the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project.

 Relationship to Yosemite National Park Plans

The purpose of a general management plan is to set a “clearly defined direction for resource preservation and visitor use” (NPS 1998a) and to provide general direction and policies to guide planning and management in the park. The General Management Plan (NPS 1980) is the overall planning document for Yosemite National Park.

 The Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan) (NPS 2001a) is a planning document with weight equal to that of the General Management Plan. In designating the Merced River as a Wild and Scenic River, Congress authorized the National Park Service to prepare its management plan for the river by making appropriate revisions to the park’s General Management Plan (16 United States Code 1274[a][62]). The Merced River Plan provides a framework for decision-making on future management actions within the Merced Wild and Scenic River corridor. It applies seven management elements: boundaries, classifications, Outstandingly Remarkable Values, the Section 7 determination process, management zoning, the River Protection Overlay, and the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection framework.

Overview of the Alternatives
Alternative 1: No Action

The No Action Alternative maintains the status quo in the project area. It provides a baseline from which to compare other alternatives, to evaluate the magnitude of proposed changes, and to measure the environmental effects of those changes. Under this alternative, no dramatic or comprehensive changes would take place in the management of the project area. Private vehicles and buses would continue to be the primary modes of transportation into the area. A combination of scattered parking and formal and informal parking lots would continue. Campsites and lodging units would remain at current levels (i.e., the number remaining after the 1997 flood and its subsequent cleanup).

 Alternative 2
Curry Village

Alternative 2 would implement the changes to the project area envisioned in the Yosemite Valley Plan. Private vehicles and buses would continue to be the primary modes of transportation into the area, but the elimination of day-visitor parking would likely increase the percentage of transit use. Parking would be less scattered and would be located closer to the user (e.g., tent cabin, campsite). The number of cabins-with-bath would increase and the number of tent cabins would decrease under this alternative. Southside Drive would be closed in conformance with the Yosemite Valley Plan, making Curry Village Road the main access road to the campgrounds east of Curry Village and other parts of the east Yosemite Valley. The entrance roadway into Curry Village would be redesigned in a triangular entry pattern.

 The ice rink would be removed. During winter months a new removable ice rink would be located on a portion of the Curry Orchard parking lot. The Mountain Shop would be located west of the new Curry Village entrance loop road. The fruit trees in the historic Curry Orchard would be removed and replaced by a native broad-leaf deciduous tree species. The tree canopy would be substantial enough to screen views from park visitors looking into the project area from Glacier Point. All employee housing and support facilities would be demolished, except for the historic Huff House, which would be restored to accommodate four guest lodging units. The historic bungalows would be converted to visitor lodging facilities, for a total of 25 rooms. A single-truck fire station would be constructed at the west end of Curry Village.

Amphitheater at Clark’s Bridge

A new 460-seat amphitheater would be constructed north of Clark’s Bridge. The new amphitheater would be reached via disabled-accessible paved trails. It would be sited on axis with Tenaya Canyon, which would allow a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley.

Campground-Serving Facilities

The existing campground check station would be relocated along the realigned Curry Village Road, east of Curry Village. In addition to a small kiosk structure serving both incoming and exiting campers, a 2,000 to 4,000-square-foot building would be constructed on the south side of Curry Village Road.

 A new dump station for recreational vehicles would be located on the north side of Curry Village Road, across from the new campground check station. This dump station would replace the existing Upper Pines dump station, which would be removed from the River Protection Overlay. Two bays would be provided, with dual vehicle access to each bay.

Campgrounds

The new South Camp area would be developed with 10 group walk-in and 30 walk-in campsites. Thirty parking spaces would be provided for the group campsites (three spaces per campsite), and 30 spaces would be provided for the walk-in campsites (one space per campsite) in separate parking areas. A shuttle bus stop would be located along Happy Isles Loop Road at the new South Camp area. One restroom building and two restroom/shower buildings would be provided for the campers. One restroom/shower building would be located in the talus zone. The parking lot for the walk-in sites would cover an existing wetland.

At Upper Pines Campground, 30 drive-in campsites would be added to the open area northwest of the existing drive-in loops, and 45 walk-in campsites would be added to the area adjacent to the Merced River (in addition to the 240 existing drive-in sites). The existing dump station would be removed. A new restroom and new shower/restroom building would be constructed to serve the new drive-in campsites. Two restrooms would be provided for the walk-in campsites. The 10 existing restrooms would be upgraded.

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. One restroom would be upgraded, and a restroom would be constructed within loop D at the northwest end of the campground. A new shower/restroom facility would be constructed within the first loop road (Loop A). One campsite would be located in a wetland, and some campsites would remain within the 1997 flood extent.

Alternative 3: Preferred Alternative
Curry Village

Alternative 3 would implement the changes to the project area envisioned in the Yosemite Valley Plan. Private vehicles and buses would continue to be the primary modes of transportation into the area, but the elimination of day-visitor parking would likely increase the percentage of transit use. Parking would be less scattered and would be located closer to the user (e.g., tent cabin, campsite). The number of cabins-with-bath would increase and the number of tent cabins would decrease under this alternative. Southside Drive would be closed in conformance with the Yosemite Valley Plan, making Curry Village Road the main access road to the campgrounds east of Curry Village and other parts of the east Yosemite Valley. The entrance roadway into Curry Village would be redesigned in a circular entry pattern.

The ice rink would be removed. 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. The Mountain Shop would be relocated to a new building east of its current location. The fruit trees in the historic Curry Orchard would be removed and replaced by a native broad-leaf deciduous tree species. The tree canopy would be substantial enough to screen views from park visitors looking into the project area from Glacier Point. All employee housing and support facilities would be demolished, except for the historic Huff House, which would be restored to accommodate four lodging units. All of the historic bungalows would be retained. A single-truck fire station would be constructed at the west end of Curry Village.

Amphitheater at Clark’s Bridge

A new 460-seat amphitheater would be constructed north of Clark’s Bridge. The new amphitheater would be reached via disabled-accessible paved trails. It would be sited on axis with Tenaya Canyon, which would allow a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley.

Campground-Serving Facilities

The existing campground check station would be relocated along the realigned Curry Village Road, east of Curry Village. In addition to a small kiosk structure serving both incoming and exiting campers, a 2,000 to 4,000-square-foot building would be constructed on the south side of Curry Village Road.

A new recreational vehicle dump station would be located on the north side of Curry Village Road, across from the new campground check station. This dump station would replace the existing Upper Pines dump station, which would be removed from the River Protection Overlay. Two bays would be provided, with dual vehicle access to each bay.

A new centralized shower/restroom facility would be constructed south of the campground check station between Curry Village and Happy Isles Loop Road to serve all of the campgrounds. The building would be integrated into the woodland setting, with maximum separation from the adjacent campsites and the new campground check station.

Campgrounds

The new South Camp walk-in campground area would be developed with 10 group walk-in and 16 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 the South Camp walk-in campground. One restroom building would be located in the talus zone. No shower facilities would be provided, because campers would use the central shower facility.

At Upper Pines Campground, 30 drive-in recreational vehicle campsites with electrical hookups would be added to the open area to the northwest of the existing drive-in loops, and 59 walk-in campsites would be added to the area adjacent to the Merced River (in addition to the 240 existing drive-in sites). The existing recreational vehicle dump station would be removed. Two new restrooms would be constructed to serve the recreational vehicle area. Nine existing restrooms would be demolished and one existing restroom upgraded. Ten new restrooms would be constructed to serve the drive-in campsites, and two new restrooms would be constructed to serve the walk-in campsites. No shower facilities would be provided, because campers would use the central shower facility.

Sixty drive-in campsites, including 18 recreational vehicle campsites with electrical hookups, would be provided at Lower Pines Campground by removing campsites from the River Protection Overlay and reconfiguring the existing campground to accommodate these campsites. The existing pattern of development would be maintained; however, the removal of the existing amphitheater would create a common open space between the campground and the adjacent river corridor. Three restrooms would be removed and new restrooms would be constructed within the first, second, and third loop roads. No shower facilities would be provided, because campers would use the central shower facility.

Environmentally Preferable Alternative

The Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act is contained in the Council on Environmental Quality regulations, Section 1505.1. National Park Service Director’s Order 12, Sections 2.7D and 5.4.D and the National Park Service National Environmental Policy Act guidelines require that “the alternative or alternatives which were considered to be environmentally preferable” be identified. Environmentally preferable is defined as “the alternative that will promote the national environmental policy as expressed in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act, meaning the alternative that causes the least damage to the biological and physical environment. In addition, it also means the alternative that best protects, preserves, and enhances historic, cultural, and natural resources” (Council on Environmental Quality 1981). Although Council on Environmental Quality regulations require the identification of the environmentally preferred alternative, it is not required that this alternative be adopted.

Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act states that “… it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to (1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations; (2) assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings; (3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences; (4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice; (5) achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life’s amenities; and (6) enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.”  The environmentally preferable alternative for the Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley Campground Improvements Project is based on these national environmental policy goals.

Alternative 1: No Action

Alternative 1 would maintain conditions as they currently exist in the Curry Village and east Yosemite Valley campground areas with no improvements. Under this alternative, no comprehensive changes would take place in the project area; therefore, deterioration of natural resources and visitor facilities (including historic resources) would continue. In addition, no comprehensive approach to restoring highly valued natural communities in Yosemite Valley, such as the Merced River corridor, meadows, and wetlands, would occur. This alternative would fail to meet the national environmental policy goals stated in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act by allowing continued degradation of natural resources, including impacts to stream and river banks, floodplains, vegetation, and air quality. Impacts to cultural resources would continue, and traffic congestion would increase as visitation increased, affecting the visitor experience.

Alternative 2

Alternative 2 would implement the changes to the project area envisioned in the Yosemite Valley Plan. Some campsites would be relocated away from the talus zone. Trails would be repaired and upgraded, reducing erosion. Implementation of the River Protection Overlay would remove sources of pollution, reduce erosion, and have overall net benefits to vegetation. Although private vehicles and buses would continue to be the primary modes of transportation into the area, the elimination of day-visitor parking would likely increase the percentage of transit use, improving traffic congestion and air quality. Some campsites remaining in the 1997 flood extent would be removed, improving floodplain conditions and scenic quality. A comprehensive approach to restoring highly valued natural communities in Yosemite Valley, such as the Merced River corridor, meadows, and wetlands, would take place. This alternative would meet the national environmental policy goals stated in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act by improving or eliminating impacts to natural resources, as cited above. Repairs and improvements to historic and cultural resources would allow their continued use and enjoyment, benefiting the visitor experience.

Alternative 3: Preferred Alternative

Alternative 3 would also implement the changes to the project area as envisioned by the Yosemite Valley Plan. Much of the proposed development would be the same as described for Alternative 2. Restoration of highly valued natural communities, such as the Merced River corridor, meadows, and wetlands, would occur through the removal of existing campsites and roadways within these areas, and redesign of campgrounds to avoid valued natural communities as identified in Alternative 2. The primary differences between Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 are the layouts of lodging units, location of the ice rink, the configuration of Curry Village Road as it enters Curry Village, the location of the registration function, and the layout of the new South Camp and Upper Pines Campground areas. Alternative 3 would avoid wetlands in the new South Camp Campground although there would be additional wetland impacts in Curry Village as compared to Alternative 2. This alternative would meet the national environmental policy goals stated in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act by improving or eliminating impacts to natural resources as cited above. Repairs and improvements to historic and cultural resources would allow their continued use and enjoyment, benefiting the visitor experience.

Environmentally Preferred Alternative

Alternative 3 is the environmentally preferred alternative because, among the alternatives considered in detail, it most fully satisfies the national environmental policy goals stated in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act. Alternative 3 would meet the goals of the project by updating visitor facilities throughout the project area, providing improved visitor amenities and facilities and a high-quality visitor experience, and contributing to effective park operations.

Alternative 3 would cause the least damage to the biological and physical environment and result in the most benefit. It would reduce risk to life and property by removing occupied structures from the talus zone, by improving hydrology through removal of campsites from the River Protection Overlay, and by reducing traffic and congestion. The reduction in traffic and congestion would improve air quality and the noise environment. Alternative 3 would create long-term beneficial impacts to wetlands and highly valued natural communities. Historic resources would be benefited by the construction of new visitor facilities, which would provide for less-intensive uses for historic resources. Scenic resources would be benefited by the consolidation of development within the core of the Curry Village and campground area and removal of Southside Drive through Stoneman Meadow.

Yosemite Home . Yosemite Planning Page