Merced River Plan and FEIS

	Comprehensive Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement

	This document is the National Environmental Policy Act compliance document for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan. It describes the range of alternatives considered by the planning team, and the environmental impacts associated with each alternative. The entire Plan/FEIS can be viewed as PDF files and/or online as html files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pdf files. A free version can be obtained at www.nps.gov/hfc/plugins/. Downloading times assume a 28.8 kbps modem and are approximate. TABLE OF CONTENTS Superintendent's Letter Abstract Executive Summary html [15 sec] \| pdf [45 min] Chaper I: Purpose and Need html [35 sec] \| pdf [85 min] Background Wild and Scenic River Designation Recent Events Organization of the Merced River Plan Purpose of and Need for the Project Purpose of the Merced River Plan Need for the Merced River Plan Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Planning Context Relationship to Yosemite National Park Plans Relationship to Other Plans Legal Framework Overview of the Planning Process Planning Approach Management Goals General Management Plan Goals Merced River Plan Goals Issues and Concerns Issues Addressed in the Merced River Plan/FEIS Issues Not Addressed in the Merced River Plan/FEIS Chapter II: Alternatives pdf [240 min] Introduction through Elements Common to all Action Alternatives html [50 sec] Overview of Alternatives through Summary of Environmental Consequences html [40 sec] Introduction Organization of the Chapter Management Elements of the Merced River Plan Revised Boundaries Revised Classifications Revised Outstandingly Remarkable Values A Segment-by-Segment Description of the Outstandingly Remarkable Values of the Merced River Corridor Section 7 Determination Process River Protection Overlay Management Zoning Prescriptions Zoning Categories Relationship to River Protection Overlay Application of Management Zoning Category 1: Wilderness Zones Category 2: Diverse Visitor Experience Zones Category 3: Developed Zones Summary of Management Zones Merced Wild and Scenic River Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Purpose The User Capacity Mandate Overview of VERP Framework Elements Common to All Action Alternatives Wilderness Management Wawona Golf Course Removal of Impoundments Removal of Historic Bridges Non-Motorized Watercraft Private Property Floodplain Management Additional Studies Overview of Alternatives Alternative 1: No Action Alternative 2: Visitor Experience/River Protection Alternative 3: River Protection Emphasis, Narrow Corridor Alternative 4: River Protection Emphasis, Wide Corridor Alternative 5: Visitor Experience Emphasis, Wide Corridor Alternative Alternatives Considered, but Dismissed Zoning that Allows Full Restoration to Natural Conditions Quarter-Mile Boundary: Increased Scenic Classification Zoning that Allows Full Visitor Use and Recreation Accommodation Mitigation Measures Common to All Action Alternatives Sustainable Design and Aesthetics Best Management Practices During Construction Resource-Specific Measures Comparison of Alternatives Boundaries Classifications Outstandingly Remarkable Values River Protection Overlay Section 7 Determination Management Zoning Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Framework Summary of Environmental Consequences Chapter III: Affected Environment pdf [190 min] Introduction through Natural Resources html [2 min] Cultural Resources through Social Resources html [2 min] Introduction Impact Topics Considered in this Plan Impact Topics Dismissed from Further Analysis Regional Setting Natural Resources Geology, Geohazards, and Soils Hydrology, Floodplains, and Water Quality Wetlands Vegetation Wildlife Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Air Quality Noise Cultural Resources Overview of the Human Occupation of the Merced River Corridor Archeological Resources Ethnographic Resources Cultural Landscape Resources, including Historic Sites and Structures Visitor Experience Recreation Orientation & Interpretation Visitor Services Wilderness Experience Social Resources Land Use Transportation Scenic Resources Socioeconomics Park Operations and Facilities Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences pdf [25 min] Introduction through Alternative 1: No Action html [3 min] Alternative 2: Visitor Use/Resource Protection html [3 min] Alternative 3: River Protection Emphasis, Narrow Corridor html [3 min] Alternative 4: River Protection Emphasis, Wide Corridor html [3 min] Alternative 5: Visitor Experience Emphasis, Wide Corridor html [3 min] Introduction Cumulative Impacts Methodologies Natural Resources Cultural Resources Visitor Experience Social Resources Alternative 1 - No Action Natural Resources Cultural Resources Visitor Experience Social Resources Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments andResources Relationship of Short-Term Uses andLong-Term Productivity Alternative 2 - Visitor Use/Resource Protection Natural Resources Cultural Resources Visitor Experience Social Resources Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments andResources Relationship of Short-Term Uses and Long-TermProductivity Alternative 3 - River Protection Emphasis with Narrow Corridor Natural Resources Cultural Resources Visitor Experience Social Resources Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments andResources Relationship of Short-Term Uses and Long-TermProductivity Alternative 4 - River Protection Emphasis with Wide Corridor Natural Resources Cultural Resources Visitor Experience Social Resources Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments andResources Relationship of Short-Term Uses and Long-TermProductivity Alternative 5 - Visitor Experience Emphasis, Wide Corridor Natural Resources Cultural Resources Visitor Experience Social Resources Unavoidable Adverse Impacts Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments andResources Relationship of Short-Term Uses and Long-TermProductivity Chaper V: Consultation and Coordination pdf [20 sec] \| html [10 sec] Scoping History Results of Scoping Public Comment Period Coordination Future Information List of Agencies, Organizations, Businesses, and Individuals that received the Draft Merced River Plan/EIS Federal Agencies Members of Congress State Agencies American Indian Tribes County and Local Governments Organizations and Businesses Libraries Newspapers Radio Television Chaper VI: List of Preparers pdf [10 sec] \| html [15 sec] Chaper VII: Glossary pdf [25 sec] \| html [15 sec] Glossary of Terms Acronyms Chapter VIII: Bibliography pdf [40 sec] \| html [30 sec] References Map Data Appendices Appendix A: Applicable Legislation Appendix B: History of the Merced River Corridor’s Boundaries, Classifications, and Outstandingly Remarkable Values Appendix C: Visitor Data Appendix D: Noise Appendix E: Potential Cumulative Actions Appendix F: Historic Preservation Memorandum of Understanding Index pdf [10 sec] \| html [10]

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