Lower Yosemite Fall Project

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

Environmental Assessment

________________________________________________________________________

Yosemite National Park

Lead Agency: National Park Service

ABSTRACT

This Lower Yosemite Fall Project Environmental Assessment is intended to guide the future of the Lower Yosemite Fall Project. This environmental assessment addresses actions of the Lower Yosemite Fall Project that were approved in the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Yosemite Valley Plan), including those that have changed slightly since the time the Yosemite Valley Plan Record of Decision was signed in December 2000. A few of the actions approved by the Yosemite Valley Plan were changed because new information became available as the site design was refined for the Lower Yosemite Fall Project.

Three alternatives for the Lower Yosemite Fall Project are presented in this environmental assessment. Alternative 1 (No Action) represents conditions and management practices as they currently exist, or have existed in the recent past, at the Lower Yosemite Fall area. For example, Bridge #6, currently collapsed, would be rebuilt, and the trails leading to Bridge #6 would be rehabilitated. Alternative 1 provides the basis of comparison for the action alternatives (Alternatives 2 and 3). These two action alternatives are based on the purpose and need for the project and conform with the goals of Yosemite National Park’s General Management Plan, the goals and management elements of the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan, and the goals of the Yosemite Valley Plan.

Alternative 2 (Preferred) would implement the following actions approved in the Yosemite Valley Plan for the Lower Yosemite Fall area, including those with slight changes.

Restroom Relocation. The restroom north of the existing parking area would be removed, and a new restroom would be constructed near what is currently the southeastern edge of the parking area.

Parking Area Removal and Establishment of a Small Seating and Picnic Area. The existing parking area would be removed. Trails would be built to access the western trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, and there would be a small picnic area and informal seating area with benches, logs, or stones for seating. The remainder of the area would be revegetated with locally native plants.

New Shuttle Bus Stop. A new shuttle bus stop would be located on the north side of Northside Drive east of the Yosemite Creek Bridge.

Interim Tour Bus Unloading, Loading, and Parking. To address relocation of the tour bus parking area from the Lower Yosemite Fall area, replacement parking spaces would be provided on an interim basis for tour buses that currently park in this area. In addition, an interim bus passenger loading and unloading zone would be provided along Northside Drive.

Trail Alignment, Including Relocation of the Eastern Trail Near Bridge #1. A realigned trail with elevated boardwalks would be placed between Bridges #1 and #2 and northwest of Bridge #1. This action would minimize impacts to the millrace feature within the Hutchings sawmill site because the boardwalks would be placed above the feature.

Rehabilitation of Trails. Pedestrian access to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall would be on either a rehabilitated western trail (the existing main access) or a better-defined and hardened eastern trail. Access to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall for visitors with mobility impairments would be via the redesigned and hardened eastern trail. Stock (e.g., horse) use on the trails would be managed as described in the Yosemite Valley Plan (Vol. IA, page 2-65).

Rehabilitation, Relocation, and Installation of Bridges. Five of the existing historic bridges along the eastern trail would be rehabilitated to allow wheelchair access throughout the area. A sixth bridge, the historic bridge across Yosemite Creek at the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, would be rehabilitated and the viewing platform enlarged. A seventh bridge would be constructed to complete a loop trail system. One bridge (#4) would be removed.

View Corridor Maintenance. Two historic view corridors through the Lower Yosemite Fall area (Western Trail view corridor and Hutchings view corridor) would be maintained by selective trimming of brush and branches and by selective cutting and removal of trees and vegetation within these view corridors.

Removal of Human-Built Rock-Rubble Pile. Removal of the human-built rock-rubble pile downstream from the historic Yosemite Falls Bridge would be preceded by studies, while protecting public health and safety, thereby ensuring that the action would meet resource objectives.

Alternative 3 would involve the same actions described for Alternative 2, without change from the Yosemite Valley Plan and as approved in the Yosemite Valley Plan Record of Decision. The Alternative 3 actions that differ from Alternative 2 are described below.

Restroom Relocation. The restroom north of the existing parking area would be removed and a new restroom would be constructed east of Yosemite Creek and north of Northside Drive, adjacent to the future Lower Yosemite Fall shuttle bus stop.

Parking Area Removal and Establishment of an Informal Seating Area. The existing parking area would be removed, and a portion of the area would be replaced with an informal seating area. The remainder of the area would be revegetated with locally native plants.

Removal of Human-Built Rock-Rubble Pile. The human-built rock-rubble pile would be removed without further study, based on the information presented in the Yosemite Valley Plan.

Trail Alignment, Including Relocation of the Eastern Trail Near Bridge #1. Trail alignment actions would be the same as for Alternative 2 with the following differences: the trail between Bridges #1 and #2 would be rehabilitated without a boardwalk, and the trail northwest of Bridge #1 would be relocated to provide wheelchair accessibility to the area. The trail northwest of Bridge #1 would be placed on the millrace feature within the Hutchings sawmill site without a boardwalk.

If you have questions or comments regarding this document, you may contact:

Superintendent, Yosemite National Park

ATTN.: Lower Yosemite Fall Project
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, California 95389

or call: (209) 372-0261
or fax: (209) 379-1294
or visit the planning web site: www.nps.gov/yose/planning
or email: YOSE_Planning@nps.gov

U.S. Department of the Interior · National Park Service
________________________________________________________________________