In early December 1998, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, along with park officials, decided that four earlier planning efforts - the Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan, Draft Yosemite Valley Housing Plan, Yosemite Lodge Development Concept Plan, and Yosemite Falls Project preliminary review draft - would be brought together into a single process and document, the Draft Yosemite Valley Plan.

Considerable time had passed since the inception of several of these planning efforts and the consolidation of plans was seen as a new development in the planning process. Therefore, although extensive public comment already had been received on the first three of these earlier plans, it was decided that time should be allotted for the public to offer additional scoping level comments on the new Yosemite Valley Plan (YVP).

This public comment process served as a mechanism for gathering additional information relevant to the planning process and to better understand your concerns. Comments were weighed on their merits - individually and collectively -  along with a variety of other planning information, such as the results of various studies, historical reports, consultation with outside experts in various disciplines, and the best professional judgment of park staff.
The scoping period for the YVP began December 16, 1998, and was extended through February 1, 1999. National Park Service staff took into consideration comments that:
 

• Pertained broadly to the planning process;
• Raised a pertinent issue not raised previously;
• Identified new information pertinent to the planning process;
• Identified elements or aspects of the plan that were outside the range of the five concepts presented in the YVP scoping press release, but would meet the goals and objectives of the planning process; or
• Addressed an area where park staff was attempting to refine the goals and objectives of the plan.

Who Reviewed Comments?

The scoping team consisted of five Yosemite National Park Service (NPS) employees. All letters were read and scoping level comments were added to a growing list and database of general and specific comments.
 

Who Commented?

 A total of 598 scoping comment letters were received, with California residents forming the largest group of respondents. Long-time park visitors, members of gateway and local communities, campers, environmentalists, park employees, and many organizations all provided input. Some comments were from members of families that had a tradition of camping in Yosemite for generations; a number were intent on sharing their observations of Yosemite and their changing visitor experience over time.

Types of Comments

Scoping level comments were identified as "general" or "specific" and the overall tone and content of each comment was assigned a "pro" or "con," according to the issue addressed. "General" scoping comments related to the planning process or other broad, overarching aspects of the plan; while "specific" scoping comments referred to a particular element, facet of the plan, or a plan alternative.

Among other comments, some highlights include:

• A large group of comments related to "carrying capacity" for the Valley. The vast majority of these pointed out the need to limit the number of people, not just the number of vehicles.
• Another sizeable comment group supported the evaluation of remote staging areas for parking out of the Valley, yet within the park.
• Many comments targeted air quality and noise as important concerns.
• A large number supported the General Management Plan as a valid document to guide park planning.
• Several favored the removal of employee housing from the Valley.
• Additional input voiced the need for NPS planning to move slowly and deliberately, even extending the public comment period if necessary.
• A number expressed concern about the effect of Yosemite Valley planning on other areas of the park.

To receive a copy of the Scoping Comment Analysis Report, call (209)372-0261 and leave your request with your name and address on the message machine, or write to Yosemite Public Information Office, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, or send your request with your name and address via e-mail to yose_valley_plan@nps.gov.