Lower Yosemite Fall Project - Appendix C Cumulative Projects

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

Appendix C
Cumulative Projects
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Introduction

The Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act defines cumulative effects as:

"the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such actions" (40 CFR § 1508.7).

Following is a list of projects that may have potential cumulative impact when considered along with the Lower Yosemite Fall Project alternatives. The purpose of the cumulative impact analysis is to determine (1) whether the resources, ecosystems, and human communities have already been affected by past or present activities, and (2) whether other agencies or the public have plans that may affect resources in the future. The cumulative project list includes major projects within Yosemite Valley.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan

Description: In 1999 and 2000 the National Park Service developed a comprehensive management plan for the sections of the Merced Wild and Scenic River within Yosemite National Park. The purpose of the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan) is to protect and enhance the Outstandingly Remarkable Values and free-flowing condition of the river for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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 seven management elements include boundaries, classifications, Outstandingly Remarkable Values, a Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 7 determination process, River Protection Overlay, management zoning, and a Visitor Experience and Resource Protection framework. The Merced River Plan applies to any project that is within the Wild and Scenic River boundary, or would affect the Outstandingly Remarkable Values or free-flowing condition of the river.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Yosemite Valley Plan

Description: The National Park Service Pacific West Regional Director signed the Record of Decision for the Final Yosemite Valley Plan and its Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on December 29, 2000. The purpose of the Yosemite Valley Plan is to present an implementation plan comprehensive management plan for Yosemite Valley – from Happy Isles at the east Valley to the intersection of the El Portal and Big Oak Flat Roads at the west end. It also presents actions in adjacent areas of the park and the El Portal Administrative Site that directly relate to actions proposed in Yosemite Valley. The specific purpose of the Yosemite Valley Plan within Yosemite Valley is to:

Restore, protect, and enhance the resources of Yosemite Valley
Provide opportunities for high-quality, resource-based visitor experiences
Reduce traffic congestion
Provide effective park operations, including employee housing, to meet the mission of the National Park Service

Yosemite Valley Plan actions will reduce fragmentation between the highly valued natural resource areas from Clark’s Bridge downstream to Swinging Bridge. Areas in the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley that have been degraded or fragmented (such as the Merced River and its tributaries, wetlands, meadows, and California black oak woodlands) will be restored to one large and dynamic river-governed ecosystem. There will be minimal new development west of the Yosemite Lodge area.

Parking for 550 day visitors’ vehicles will be consolidated in the Yosemite Village area and (in peak season) in three out-of-Valley areas (El Portal, Badger Pass, and Hazel Green or Foresta). Shuttle buses will transport visitors to locations throughout Yosemite Valley and also between the Valley and out-of-Valley parking areas. A new visitor center and transit center will be located in Yosemite Village adjacent to day-visitor parking. These actions will result in a major reduction of vehicular congestion in the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley during the summer.

The number of campsites will increase, and the number of lodging units will decrease. The area of the former Upper River and Lower River Campgrounds will be restored to a mosaic of meadow, riparian, and California black oak woodland communities. The River Protection Overlay prescribed in the Merced River Plan will be implemented in Yosemite Valley and the El Portal Administrative Site. Southside Drive will be converted to two-way traffic from El Capitan crossover to Curry Village, and Northside Drive will be closed to motor vehicles from El Capitan crossover to Yosemite Lodge and converted to a multi-use (bicycle and pedestrian) paved trail.

Many of the actions that will occur under the Yosemite Valley Plan in relation to existing conditions (see Volume IA, page 2-47, of the Yosemite Valley Plan for a complete discussion of actions) are discussed below.

Facilities and services that will be removed under the Yosemite Valley Plan include: roads through Stoneman Meadow and the southern portion of Ahwahnee Meadow (including the road through the former Upper River and Lower River Campgrounds); North Pines Campground; historic Sugar Pine Bridge (to restore the hydrologic system of the Merced River); other historic structures including the concessioner stable, Concession Headquarters, Village Garage, Cascades Diversion Dam, and five Cascades houses; the abandoned wastewater treatment plant in El Portal from a sensitive cultural resource area; most parking (including at Lower Yosemite Fall) in east Valley, other than at lodging, campgrounds, and the Yosemite Village area; five motel buildings from Yosemite Lodge; and commercial trail rides in Yosemite Valley.

Facilities to be constructed under the Yosemite Valley Plan include: a day-visitor parking area for 550 vehicles at Yosemite Village; a visitor center and transit center near the day-visitor parking area at Yosemite Village; a new shuttle stop, restroom, enlarged viewing area near the base of Yosemite Falls, interpretive exhibits, and an informal gathering/viewing area in the Lower Yosemite Fall area; a vehicle bridge across Yosemite Creek near Yosemite Lodge; a possible replacement footbridge at Happy Isles near the Nature Center; lodging at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village; campsites at Camp 4; campsites east of Curry Village, in the Upper Pines and Lower Pines areas, and along Tenaya Creek; employee housing at Curry Village, Yosemite Village, El Portal, Wawona, and Foresta; and two fire stations, one in the Yosemite Village area (outside of the Yosemite Village Historic District), and one in the Curry Village area.

The Yosemite Valley Plan will establish and implement: a Visitor Experience and Resource Protection study and program to monitor existing and desired conditions for natural resources, cultural resources, and visitor experience; a traveler information and traffic management system to provide information to visitors, provide incentives for efficient use of available parking and transportation services, and manage access and parking; seasonal out-of-Valley day-visitor parking areas at Badger Pass, El Portal, and Hazel Green or Foresta; some utility hookups for recreational vehicles and shower facilities in campgrounds; and design guidelines for new construction and for rehabilitating the landscape in historic developed areas.

The Yosemite Valley Plan will convert: the Yosemite Museum/Valley District Building back to its historic function as a museum; Southside Drive from El Capitan crossover to Curry Village to two-way traffic (road widened where necessary); Northside Drive from El Capitan crossover to Yosemite Lodge from a vehicle road to a multi-use (bicycle and pedestrian) paved trail; and the trail to the base of Yosemite Falls to a route accessible by people with mobility impairments.

The Yosemite Valley Plan will increase or expand: shuttle bus service west to Bridalveil Fall and out-of-Valley parking areas; interpretive and orientation services, including a new visitor center in Yosemite Valley and visitor contact stations at or near principal park entrances; and multi-use paved trails.

The Yosemite Valley Plan will reduce: stock trails by approximately 0.5 mile (private stock use will continue on all other designated trails); lodging to approximately 961 units (including approximately 100 units at Housekeeping Camp); and traffic entering the east Valley on a typically busy day by 50%.

The Yosemite Valley Plan will relocate: employee housing to El Portal, Foresta, and Wawona (subject to further site planning, environmental review and public participation), leaving 723 employee beds in Yosemite Valley; National Park Service and concessioner administrative stables operations to McCauley Ranch in Foresta; National Park Service and concessioner headquarters out of Yosemite Valley; the historic Superintendent’s house (Residence 1) and its garage to a site within the Yosemite Village Historic District; and museum collections storage, research library, and archives consolidated in Yosemite Valley.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Repair Flood Damaged Trail Bridges at Happy Isles

Description: Trails and trail bridges that provided access to Happy Isles from the area of the Nature Center were destroyed by high flows of the Merced River during the January 1997 flood. In 1997, the National Park Service replaced the previous trail system, and three of the four previous footbridges extending through Happy Isles.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Happy Isles Site Improvements

Description: The National Park Service is implementing the Happy Isles Site Improvement Project. The project includes rehabilitation of the Nature Center at Happy Isles and trails in the area, as well as installation of interpretive signs and benches in the vicinity of Happy Isles and the Nature Center. Rehabilitation of the area was necessary after the 1996 rockfall and the 1997 flood damaged the area.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Trail Reconstruction from Happy Isles to Vernal Fall

Description: This project involves the reconstruction of 5,400 linear feet of the Vernal Fall Trail from Happy Isles to the base of the Mist Trail stairs, with an average tread width of 7 feet. The trail walls will be rebuilt, and the old pavement will be redistributed as sub-base, overlain by layers of aggregate road base, tack oil, and asphalt, with a granite dust topcoat. Steeper sections of the trail will have improved traction for pedestrians. A functioning drainage system will be established in the trail corridor by paving water breaks and constructing rock drainages to channel water away from the trail.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Shuttle Bus Replacement Project

Description: Existing shuttle buses used in Yosemite National Park do not comply with 2002 federal emission standards and Executive Order 13031 (Federal Alternative Fueled Vehicle Leadership). As such, the National Park Service is evaluating upgrade of the shuttle fleet in Yosemite National Park by replacing the aged fleet with new, compliant vehicles. An extensive analysis has been undertaken to determine the functional requirements of the shuttle bus system. Specific selection of technology and vehicles will be completed during the procurement process using performance-based evaluation criteria and competitive negotiation to ensure best value.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Replacement/Rehabilitation of Yosemite Valley Main Sewer Line

Description: This project consists of the construction of a slip line sewer between Yosemite Lodge Lift Station and the El Capitan wood yard, and also includes the selective replacement of manholes.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Merced River at Eagle Creek Ecological Restoration (Yosemite Valley)

Description: The National Park Service proposes to mitigate human-caused impacts to the riverbank and floodplain at the confluence of Eagle Creek and the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Actions proposed in the project include removal of an undetermined amount of abandoned park infrastructure including a sewer line and manhole; revegetation of the damaged riverbank using brush-layering, seeding, and mulching techniques; construction of split rail fencing to guide visitor activities to resilient areas; and elimination of a road shoulder used for parking.

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Agency Name: National Park Service

Project Name: Fire Management Plan Update

Description: The National Park Service is in the process of updating the 1990 Yosemite National Park Fire Management Plan. The objectives of the plan are to improve ecosystem health, enhance public safety, and provide guidance to park operations for successfully integrating fire with other vegetation management principles. The plan will address prescribed fire, wildland fire use, and community fire protection services. It is also expected to address parkwide fire issues and consider effects to burn units, vegetation associations, air resources, watersheds, soils, cultural landscapes, and other natural, cultural and social resource variables.