(Photo by Ed McCormick)

(Photo by Ed McCormick)

Draft Yosemite Valley Plan
Comment Period Completed

The 90-day public comment period for the Draft Yosemite Valley Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement closed on July 7. The National Park Service held open houses and public hearings in fourteen California communities, and meetings in Yosemite Valley and four communities outside the state (Seattle, Denver, Chicago, and Washington, DC). Public interest in the Draft Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS was high; over 2,100 people attended the open houses, and more than 500 of those testified at the hearings. Approximately 10,500 written, faxed, and e-mailed comments were received, representing a broad spectrum of responses — from observations by people who have been coming to the Valley for more than 50 years to an elementary school student testifying about his class visit to the Valley. Regardless of the different perspectives, it is clear that everyone who commented has the best interests of Yosemite Valley at heart.

The National Park Service uses a systematic process to manage, categorize, and respond to public comments. Assisting park staff in the sorting and analysis of comments was the Content Analysis Enterprise Team (CAET) led by the U.S. Forest Service. A final report from the CAET team will be included as Volume III of the final plan, scheduled for release in November 2000.

ISSUES RAISED DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Over 30 categories of issues have been identified by the teams reviewing the comments. A sample of issues includes:

• How many campsites and housekeeping units should remain in the Valley? What is the difference in the proposed numbers from pre-flood levels? What is the effect on affordable lodging options?
• How much parking should be provided in the Valley and what are the consequences of requiring parking at out-of-Valley locations?
• How will limiting the use of automobiles in the Valley and increasing the use of shuttle buses affect noise, air pollution and convenience of visitors?
• How will historic structures, particularly bridges, be treated? misconceptions about the Draft Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS.

Misconceptions about the Yosemite Valley Plan

Based on public comments, it is clear that there are some common misconceptions about the Draft Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS.

MISCONCEPTION: Traffic congestion in Yosemite Valley is a myth — Twenty years ago, the 1980 General Management Plan, working with extensive public input, identified traffic congestion as a problem that needed solving. At that time, the majority of 2 million visitors per year arrived in Yosemite by private vehicle. Now, twenty years later, nearly 4 million visitors arrive by private vehicle. Traffic congestion will only get worse without a plan in place.

MISCONCEPTION: No cars will be allowed in Yosemite — Overnight visitors would continue to drive into the Valley and park at their campsite or lodging. Under the draft preferred alternative, day-visitor parking in the Valley would be consolidated in a 550-vehicle parking area at Yosemite Village. This number of spaces would meet parking demand from November through March. Additional parking would be provided April to November in out-of-Valley parking areas, located along each of the primary park access routes.

MISCONCEPTION: Disabled visitors, families with small children, and the elderly would be excluded from the Valley under reduced parking spaces —Under all the draft alternatives, people with overnight accommodations would continue to drive to their campsite or lodging. Also, under all draft alternatives, some level of day-visitor parking would continue in Yosemite Valley. For alternatives outlining out-of-Valley park-ing, Valley shuttle buses would be accessible and include gear storage. Until all shuttle buses are fully accessible, disabled visitors will be able to drive into Yosemite Valley.

MISCONCEPTION: The National Park Service has not considered alternative fuels for shuttle buses and is committed to using diesel vehicles — The NPS is considering the best-available options to ensure low emissions, quiet operation, and feasibility (including constraints of gradient, fuel supply, location of fueling stations, and reliability). Evaluation is ongoing, and the technology that best meets these criteria at the time of implementation would be chosen.

MISCONCEPTION: Our comments don't matter; you've already made up your minds — The National Park Service has actively sought public involvement in order to help prepare the best Final Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS possible. A systematic process is being used to evaluate public comments. Some of these comments may lead to changes in the final plan.