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Yosemite National ParkPlanning UpdateVolume 4, Spring 1997 |
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| The Valley Implementation Plan |
Public review of the Environmental Impact Statement for the draft Valley Implementation Plan
(VIP) is expected in late April or May. This plan has been actively under development for three
years, but it is the culmination of seventeen years of thought and planning regarding Yosemite
Valley beginning with the approval of the General Management Plan (GMP) in 1980. The GMP
was developed with extensive public involvement in the formulation of its goals. Since then,
several implementation plans have been developed to fulfill these goals, including the
Concession Services Plan, approved in 1992, and the draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan, now
on public review.
Since 1980, the GMP's goals have been validated by both the steadily increasing visitation levels and congestion and most recently by the 1997 flood which clearly confirmed that natural processes WILL prevail. Campgrounds, lodging units, and other facilities were heavily damaged by the 1997 flood. From past and current planning, the Park had already anticipated moving many of them to protect riparian resources, relocate facilities out of the floodplain, and improve visitor services. During recovery efforts, it is incumbent on the Park to be fiscally responsible in the rebuilding of these facilities outside the riparian zone and floodplain. At the same time, it is necessary to reopen visitor facilities as quickly as possible. This echoes what we have heard overwhelmingly from the public -- do it right and do it as soon as possible. Park staff are encouraged that the public, environmental organizations, and local communities are desiring to work quickly with us as we move through the planning process and potential accelerated implementation of the GMP. The Park has also received significant support from members of Congress and from senior officials in the Department of the Interior. We are optimistic that funding will quickly become available to proceed, as soon as possible, to do the right thing. This next major step of GMP implementation, the VIP, will map the future course of Yosemite Valley. It has been prepared using substantial public input from early in the process; a variety of studies, including transportation, housing, and cultural landscape; detailed mapping of critical park resources; and an analysis of park operation functions. Its intent is to remove unnecessary structures and roads, restore and protect land reclaimed from development, and reduce traffic congestion in Yosemite Valley. If flood recovery funding can be coupled with an approved VIP, initiation of this phase of GMP implementation can occur at an unprecedented speed. This is why, through all of the flood emergency, we have made every effort to keep VIP preparation on track to be released early this spring. |
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