East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan - Chapter 5 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan

Yosemite National Park - National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior

Chapter 5
Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan
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Introduction

In 1987, the U.S. Congress designated the Merced River a Wild and Scenic River to protect its free flowing condition and to protect and enhance its unique values for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations (16 USC 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 (referred to hereafter as the Merced River Plan) 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 management elements as a set of decision-making criteria with which to evaluate projects in the Merced River corridor, such as the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan. This chapter evaluates the consistency of the proposed action with the management elements of the Merced River Plan. An overview of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and of the Merced River Plan and its management elements may be found in the Merced River Plan (incorporated by reference) (NPS 2001).

This chapter summarizes the consistency of this analysis with the Merced River Plan, including the findings of the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan Wild and Scenic River Act Section 7 Determination, which is included in Appendix C, Merced Wild and Scenic River Section 7 Determination.

Consistency with Management Elements of the
Merced River Plan

Relationship to the Boundary

The proposed actions would occur within the Merced Wild and Scenic River boundary in Segment 2 of the main stem covering east and west Yosemite Valley.

Classification Consistency

The segment of the Merced River that flows through Yosemite Valley is designated as Recreational in the east Valley, recognizing the accessible nature of the river and the significant development that has occurred in this area. The west Valley segment, starting at Sentinel Beach, is classified as Scenic, with a lower level of accessibility and development. Implementation of the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan would primarily affect areas located within the east Valley segment. The utility relocations and upgrades are consistent with implementation of actions in the Yosemite Valley Plan calling for removal of some facilities in the floodplain area, ecological restoration of some meadow areas, and redevelopment of less sensitive areas. Although implementation of the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan would result in some short-term disturbance in the river and adjacent areas, the long-term effects would be to consolidate utility corridors in less environmentally sensitive areas and allow implementation of the Yosemite Valley Plan. The proposed action is compatible with the existing classifications.

Outstandingly Remarkable Values

The proposed action would remove utilities from meadows designated for ecological restoration and consolidate utility corridors into less environmentally sensitive areas, protecting and enhancing the values of the Merced River. Table C-2 in Appendix C, Merced Wild and Scenic River Section 7 Determination, describes the effects of the proposed action on each of the Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The proposed action would not result in any changes to the current level of protection and enhancement of the biological and hydrologic processes. The proposed action would not result in any changes to the current level of protection and enhancement of the scientific, scenic, geologic processes, recreation, or cultural values. As a result, implementation of the proposed action is expected to allow the National Park Service to protect and enhance the river’s Outstandingly Remarkable Values.

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 to ensure that they do not affect free flow and do not directly and adversely impact the Outstandingly Remarkable Values for which the river was designated. The proposed action would implement a utilities improvement plan, with development of consolidated utility corridors located in environmentally preferable areas and a reduction of utility facilities within the bank of the Merced River and in the River Protection Overlay. The reduction of utility line crossings should allow the river to return to a more natural condition and reduce future impacts due to utility repairs. Implementation of the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan would result in the removal of utility infrastructure from environmentally sensitive areas, thus enhancing riparian and floodplain extent, functions, and values. The proposed action would have a beneficial effect on the biological and hydrologic process Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The proposed action would not result in any change to the current level of protection and enhancement of the scientific, scenic, geologic process, recreation, and cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The National Park Service concludes that the proposed action would enhance free flow of the Merced Wild and Scenic River and would protect the Outstandingly Remarkable values for which the river was designated Wild and Scenic. For additional detail, refer to Appendix C, Merced Wild and Scenic River Section 7 Determination.

River Protection Overlay

The proposed action would result in a reduction of utility infrastructure within the River Protection Overlay. The essential utility line crossings that remain would be designed to minimize impacts to the free-flowing condition of the river. Free-flow and natural fluvial processes would be returned to more natural conditions by reducing utility line crossings in the river and major tributaries, and by removing utility infrastructure from areas identified for ecological restoration within the River Protection Overlay. No non-essential facilities are proposed to be located within the River Protection Overlay. Thus, the proposed action is consistent with the River Protection Overlay.

Management Zoning

The proposed East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan includes a broad array of improvements throughout Yosemite Valley. Activities would fall within a number of developed zones (Zone 3) and diverse visitor experience zones (Zone 2). The management zones that would be crossed by utility corridors include:

Discovery (2B)
Day Use (2C)
Attraction (2D)
Camping (3A)
Visitor Base and Lodging (3B)
Park Operations and Administration (3C)

The Diverse Visitor Experience Zone (Zone 2) allows for a higher level of visitor use and development while protecting the river’s Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The Developed Zone (Zone 3) includes areas to be used to enable the park to support its year-round visitor and employee populations and serve the needs of visitors. This area is designed to accommodate the most concentrated visitor and administrative use. All of the management zones within Zones 2 and 3 allow utility facilities and utility line crossings, where needed, to support park operations. Utilities are required to be screened from view in these management zones. The proposed utility facilities are primarily located underground, with minimal above ground elements. The proposed generator buildings required at The Ahwahnee and the Yosemite Village Transit Center will be appropriately screened from view with vegetation. Other equipment controls, will be sited on nearby existing buildings, or will be sited on pedestals and appropriately screened from view with vegetation. Therefore, the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan is consistent with the management zones for the Merced River.

Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Compatibility

The proposed action is not expected to result in any change in visitor levels or experiences. It does not include any actions that would be inconsistent with the interim Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Framework.

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Consistency with Management Elements of the Merced River Plan