Lower Yosemite Fall Project - Superintendent's Letter

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

IN REPLY REFER TO:
L7617

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Yosemite National Park
P. O. Box 577
Yosemite, California 95389
November 16, 2001

Dear Yosemite Friends:

With the help of public scoping comments, coupled with the tiered guidance of the Yosemite Valley Plan, the Lower Yosemite Fall Project Environmental Assessment is now before you. Planning for the Lower Yosemite Fall area has been a priority of the National Park Service for nearly 10 years. Following approval of the Yosemite Valley Plan in December 2000, site specific efforts toward planning for the restoration of impacted natural resources, replacing the inadequate restroom, rehabilitating trails and bridges, and improving educational and interpretive displays were resumed. These items, among others described in the Yosemite Valley Plan for the Lower Yosemite Fall area, are the subject of the tiered evaluation in this environmental assessment.

In July 2001, public scoping was held to solicit ideas and concerns from the public and responsible agencies regarding the restroom replacement within the Lower Yosemite Fall area. Park staff reviewed a total of 261 letters and comments identifying a range of concerns and issues. This environmental assessment has been modified and prepared in response to those concerns. Additionally, other comments received helped to further shape the project and the environmental assessment, which sets forth alternatives for the Lower Yosemite Fall area.

There will be a 30-day public comment period on the environmental assessment. The National Park Service must receive written comments by January 2, 2001. If approved, the project could begin during the spring of 2002.

Your involvement is a key element in the planning process, and we welcome your participation. Please submit written comments to:

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

FAX: 209/379-1294
EMAIL: YOSE_Planning@nps.gov

Sincerely,

David A. Mihalic
Superintendent