Yosemite Valley Plan SEIS, Volume II, Appendix M, Sequencing

Appendix M - Sequencing

Introduction

The implementation of the Yosemite Valley Plan will occur over many years and will be accomplished sequentially. Each action related to developing replacement facilities outside Yosemite Valley, relocating functions, rehabilitating and/or removing structures, and redeveloping and restoring areas to natural conditions, is linked to other actions. The purpose of this appendix is to identify the general sequence of the implementation of elements in Alternative 2, the Preferred Alternative. As funding is secured and projects progress through site planning, compliance, and design, more specific implementation information will be available.

Summary of Major Actions

Alternative 2 of the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS includes over 250 actions. These actions have been sorted into nine series of projects, each of which leads to a target that supports the overall goals of the Yosemite Valley Plan. These series were developed through analyzing the relationships and links between the individual actions created by physical or operational constraints. As a result of these links, restoration, administration, and transportation actions occur in each of the nine series. These series of projects are not independent; they are often interlinked. The nine series are as follows:

Resource Stewardship

The goal of this series is to restore former campgrounds, administrative, and lodging areas to natural conditions and to restore or maintain cultural areas. Natural and cultural restoration projects that are directly linked with other geographical or functional groupings can be found in another series.

Interpretation, Education, and Orientation

The goal of this series is to expand Yosemite's interpretive services and education services. Project examples include converting the west end of the Yosemite Village area into museum and education space, and installing interpretive exhibits Valleywide. Visitor centers would also be provided near each of the park entrances.

Campgrounds

The goal of this series is to provide camping outside of the River Protection Overlay through rehabilitation of existing campgrounds and construction of new campgrounds, and to restore former campground areas to natural conditions. Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground) is not included in this series, but is found in the Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4 series. Project examples include removing the concessioner stable and housing, and constructing a campground check station, amphitheater, campgrounds, and associated restoration to natural conditions.

Yosemite Falls

The goal of this series is to improve visitor experience through redevelopment and redesign of parking areas, bridges, trails, and exhibits and to restore areas to natural conditions in the vicinity of Lower Yosemite Fall.

Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground)

The goal of this series is to enhance the visitor experience and improve resource conditions through reconstruction of Yosemite Lodge, redesign and expansion of Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground), and restoration of areas to natural conditions.

Curry Village

The goal of this series is to enhance the visitor experience through rehabilitation of existing lodging and the construction of new lodging at Curry Village, and to restore former housing and lodging areas to natural conditions. The new dormitories west of Curry Village are in the employee housing series. Project examples include relocating recreation facilities (ice rink, sports rentals, etc.), constructing new cabins, and rehabilitating the Pavilion and Meadow Deck areas (i.e., expanded grocery).

Yosemite Village (Visitor/Transit Center and Maintenance Areas)

The goal of this series is to improve visitor services and transit through the construction of a new visitor and transit center, and consolidated parking in Yosemite Village. Project areas, which are specifically interconnected, are the new visitor/transit center and the redevelopment of the NPS Operations Building (Fort Yosemite) area as a light maintenance area for shuttles, including relocating existing functions and facilities from both areas. While this series covers a majority of the Yosemite Village area, the interpretation and education services at the west end of the Yosemite Village area are included in another series.

Circulation

The goal of this series is to reduce motor vehicle traffic in the Valley, restore former circulation routes to natural conditions, and improve non-vehicle circulation options. Project examples include expanding and improving the in-Valley shuttle system, developing an out-of-Valley shuttle system, constructing multi-use paved trails, converting Southside Drive to two-way traffic, and developing new picnic areas.

Employee Housing

The goal of this series is to relocate some employee housing out of the Valley, relocate some housing within the Valley, and to restore some former housing areas to natural conditions. The park would first strive to locate housing outside the park and administrative areas. If needed, project examples include constructing new housing and employee support facilities, and upgrading utility, roads, and pathway systems in new housing locations.

Determining Sequencing: Links Between Actions

To determine the sequencing of projects, it is important to first establish the links that exist between the various individual actions. These links place requirements or limitations on the order in which projects can occur, and therefore guide the sequencing of actions. Some links are caused by physical constraints, such as the need to first remove structures in areas designated for reuse, prior to constructing new facilities in the same location or prior to designated restorations. Some links are caused by operational goals, such as the desire to minimize disruption to the visitor experience. For example, the existing visitor center would not be removed until a new one is built. Collectively, these links form ordered categories of actions that must be taken for each series to be completed. While there are some variations in the order of actions for specific projects, generally, they fall into the following sequence:

One: Site planning, design work, and possibly regulatory compliance (e.g., wetland delineation) must be completed (see Introduction for Chapter 2 for more information on compliance)
Two: Constructing new, replacement facilities prior to removing old facilities; relocating functions to the new facilities in a method designed to minimize impacts on the visitor experience
Three: Removing or rehabilitating structures in the area
Four: Providing any additional support facilities and functions that are required for the project to be fully operational
Five: The major actions to complete the series can be accomplished to achieve the stated goal

The evolution of a series of projects is best seen through the example on the following page. Following the example, there are nine charts showing the general sequencing for the series of projects in Alternative 2.

Example: Yosemite Village (Visitor/Transit Center and Maintenance Area)

What is an example of the categories leading to the completion of major actions?

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, and regulatory compliance
Construct replacement facilities for displaced functions
Remove or rehabilitate current facilities in the location of new site
Construct support facilities for new visitor center and transit operations
Construct new visitor/transit center in Yosemite Village

The diagram below displays the individual actions within the five categories as a series of projects leading to the end goal. Example links are highlighted and explained to the right.

1a	El Portal site planning
1b	Curry Village site planning
1c	Yosemite Village site planning
2a	Construct replacement administrative offices
2b	Construct replacement campground maintenance shops
2c	Construct replacement firehouse
3a	Rehabilitate or remove NPS maintenance facilities, firehouse, and offices
4a	Construct new light maintenance shuttle facilities in NPS maintenance area
5	Construct new visitor/transit center

What areas of the park are affected by the sample shown?
The graphic below shows how sequenced actions impact several areas in El Portal and the Valley.

Resource Stewardship (Natural and Cultural)

Conduct necessary site planning/design work/ regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Construct replacement facilities or realign infrastructure to allow for removals prior to restoration projects

Remove specified functions and facilities to allow for the restoration of areas

Create facilities and plans to support Valley restoration efforts

Restore former campgrounds, administrative, and lodging areas to natural conditions and restore or maintain cultural areas

Conduct site planning for the Curry Village and campground areas

Create replacements for the utilities which are currently in meadows and River Protection Overlay areas
Realign Curry Village Road to allow removal of secondary roads through meadows

Remove the following functions and facilities:

Utilities from Upper and Lower River Campgrounds and southern Ahwahnee Meadow � Ahwahnee and Stoneman Meadow roads
Curry Orchard access road
Housekeeping lodging (164 units)
Relocate Superintendent's House (Residence 1)
Old sewer plant, bulk fuel storage, and sand pit areas in El Portal
The Ahwahnee tennis courts and administrative area east of The Ahwahnee
� Temporary Happy Isles snack stand

Build bridge crossings to re-establish cut-off river channels south of Ahwahnee Bridge
Construct multi-use paved trail segments to reroute circulation around restoration areas
Evaluate additional roads for possible realignment to restore natural water flows
Conduct a Visitor Experience Resource Protection study

Restore the following areas to natural conditions:

Upper and Lower River Campgrounds, North Pines, and a portion of Lower Pines Campgrounds
Former Housekeeping lodging area
Tennis courts and administrative area at The Ahwahnee
Bulk fuel, old sewer plant, and sand pit areas in El Portal
Ahwahnee and Stoneman Meadows

Restore or maintain the following cultural areas:

Historic landscapes in Yosemite Village area
Lamon and Hutchings Orchards, without further cultivation

Note: In some cases, actions in Category 4 may actually need to be accomplished before removals in Category 3 to ensure that services and operations are not interrupted. It is not always necessary to complete every action in one category prior to beginning actions in later categories, and actions in different categories may occur simultaneously.

Interpretation, Education and Orientation

Conduct necessary site planning/design work/ regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Create replacement facilities for functions being displaced by the rehabilitation of the Visitor Center, auditoriums and administrative buildings

Remove functions formerly located in the Valley Visitor Center and administrative buildings to allow for rehabilitation into an museum and Interpretation and Education services

Create facilities and plans to support the new Interpretation and Education Complex and expanded interpretive services

Expand Yosemite's interpretive services through the development of west end of mall for new Interpretation and Education services and creation of visitor centers near all park entrances

Conduct site planning for the following:

El Portal
Yosemite Village
Areas for new visitor centers near entrance stations

Construct space in El Portal for the following:

National Park Service headquarters
Interpretive administrative support
Administration and supervision

Construct space in Yosemite Village for the following:

New Visitor/Transit Center
Valley district operations (to be located in both the new district office building and the new firehouse building)
Museum collections

Remove the following functions from the Visitor Center and administrative buildings:

National Park Service headquarters
Interpretive administrative support
Valley district operations and administration (including law enforcement, wilderness, etc.)
Some museum collections

To support expanded interpretive services:

Develop and install valleywide interpretive exhibits and new interpretive trails
Rehabilitate Yosemite Village gathering and program area
Prepare accessibility plan to outline improvement to visitor facilities

Expand interpretive services in the Valley
Create a new interpretive and education services through rehabilitation of current visitor center, National Park Service headquarters, and Museum/Valley District buildings (including museum)
Construct new visitor centers near Arch Rock, South, Tioga, and Big Oak Flat Entrance Stations

Campgrounds

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, and regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Construct replacement facilities for functions being removed or realigned to allow for restoration and rehabilitation of campgrounds

Remove functions and facilities in the campgrounds area to allow for redevelopment or restoration

Construct support facilities for rehabilitated and new campgrounds

Provide camping outside of the River Protection Overlay through the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new campgrounds, and restore former campground areas to natural conditions

Conduct site planning for the Curry Village, campgrounds, and Foresta areas

Create replacements for the following:

Backpackers and Group Campgrounds
Campground utilities
Campground amphitheater
Stock staging areas and corrals
Realign Curry Village Road from Southside Drive to campgrounds � Employee housing

Create replacement in Foresta or other area for the following:

Volunteer group campgrounds
Concessioner administrative stable (possibly through relocation of historic structures)

Remove the following functions and facilities:

Concessioner stable and kennels
Employee housing at Boys Town and stable area
Current campground check-in kiosk
Backpackers, Group and Yellow Pine Campgrounds
Current RV dump station

Construct a new campground check station and maintenance/ administrative office, including an RV dump station, to support rehabilitated and new campgrounds
Reconstruct wilderness parking area to support backcountry camping

Construct new campgrounds at Tenaya Creek and new sites at Upper Pines
Rehabilitate Upper and Lower Pines Campgrounds
Restore to natural conditions former Backpackers, Group and Yellow Pine Campgrounds and former concessioner stable and housing area

Yosemite Falls

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, and regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Create replacement facilities for functions being displaced by realigned circulation and restoration/redevelopment of parking areas

Remove functions and facilities in the Yosemite Falls area to allow for restoration and redevelopment of parking areas

Construct support facilities for redesigned Yosemite Falls area

Improve visitor experience through redevelopment and redesign of parking areas, bridges, trails, and exhibits, and restore areas to natural conditions in the vicinity of Lower Yosemite Falls

Finish site planning for Yosemite Falls area in the vicinity of Lower Yosemite Fall

Create replacements for the following:

Tour bus parking (goes to the new light maintenance area)
Visitor parking (goes to the consolidated parking area for the new transit center)

Remove the following functions and facilities:

Current bus and visitor parking areas
Existing restroom facilities
Pedestrian bridge over Yosemite Creek

Construct a new restroom facility and shuttle bus stop to support the visitor experience at the redesigned Yosemite Falls area
Construct new vehicle bridge over Yosemite Creek and realign Northside Drive

Partially redevelop and partially restore to natural conditions the former Yosemite Falls parking area (including the protection of a prehistoric village)
Redesign the Lower Yosemite Fall trails, bridges, and interpretive exhibits

Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground)

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, and regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Create replacement facilities for functions being removed to allow for Yosemite Lodge reconstruction or circulation realignment

Remove functions and facilities in Yosemite Lodge area to allow for Lodge reconstruction

Construct new or rehabilitate facilities to support guest lodging at Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4

Enhance visitor experience and improve resources through reconstruction of Yosemite Lodge, redesign and expansion of Camp 4 and restore areas to natural conditions

Conduct revised site planning for Yosemite Lodge and Camp 4

Create replacements for the following:

Employee housing

Remove the following facilities:

Employee housing
Maple, Juniper, Laurel, and Alder motel units for redevelopment
Birch motel unit when it reaches obsolesce
Hemlock motel unit for restoration
Parking and utilities associated with building removals

Construct parking and utilities to support reconstructed lodging and expanded camping
Redesign or rehabilitate the Cliff Room, Mountain Bar, gift store, existing registration building, and amphitheater at Yosemite Lodge to support guest lodging
Construct new vehicular bridge over Yosemite Creek and realign Northside Drive

Reconstruct Yosemite Lodge
Redesign and expand Camp 4
Restore areas south of realigned Northside Drive and between proposed Indian Cultural Center and Camp 4 to natural conditions

Curry Village

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Create replacement facilities for functions being removed to allow for lodging redevelopment and restoration, or realign circulation

Remove functions and facilities in Curry Village to allow for the redevelopment and restoration of the area

Construct new or rehabilitate existing facilities in Curry Village to support guest lodging

Enhance visitor experience through the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new lodging at Curry Village, and restore former housing and lodging areas to natural conditions

Conduct site planning for the Curry Village and campground areas

Create replacements for the following:

Ice rink/recreational facility
Employee housing
Curry Village utilities

Remove the following functions and facilities:

Existing ice rink
Employee housing at Huff House, the Terrace, and Cooks' Cabins
Selected visitor tent cabins

Redesign and/or rehabilitate Curry Pavilion, the pool, and the amphitheater to support guest lodging
Construct a satellite fire house to support Curry Village area
Realign Curry Village Road from Southside Drive to campgrounds

Rehabilitate existing or construct new lodging at Curry Village:

Rehabilitate cabins without baths and cabins with baths; construct new cabins with baths
Rehabilitate historic studios into lodging Restore former housing and lodging areas to natural conditions:
Terrace housing area
Visitor tent cabin area

Yosemite Village (Visitor/Transit Center and Maintenance Area)

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Create replacement facilities for functions being displaced from the Yosemite Village area

Remove functions and facilities in the location of the new Visitor/Transit Center and maintenance area

Construct functions and facilities to support the new visitor center and transit operations

Improve visitor services and transit through construction of a new Visitor Center, consolidated parking and Transit Facility in Yosemite Village

Conduct site planning for the following areas:

Yosemite Village
Curry Village
El Portal
Foresta

In Yosemite Village create space for relocation of:

Valley district operations
Fire station/emergency medical services
Some concessioner functions in rehabilitated concessioner's warehouse
Art Activity Center

In Curry Village create space for relocation of:

Campground maintenance
Fire station
Main grocery (through remodeling of Curry Pavilion)

In El Portal or other location create space for relocation of:

Parkwide administration, supervision, and storage
Jail and public garage
Concessioner's headquarters and short-term warehousing
Employee housing In Foresta create space for relocation of:
NPS administrative stable (if viable)
Parkwide Trails Operations

Remove the following functions and facilities from the Yosemite Village area:

Concessioner's headquarters and associated out buildings
Village Store
Village Garage and fire station
Art Activity Center (former bank building)
Employee housing

Remove the following functions and facilities from the maintenance area:

NPS Operations Building, firehouse, and associated outbuildings
NPS administrative stable
Employee housing

Construct the following facilities to support visitor experience in the Visitor/ Transit Center area:

Food service
Retail
Recycling center

Construct the following facilities to support transit operations:

Shuttle light maintenance in Valley NPS maintenance area
Shuttle heavy maintenance in El Portal
Shuttle fueling and charging stations
Bus day and night parking areas

Construct the following new facilities at Yosemite Village:

Visitor Center
Transit Center
Consolidated parking with a picnic area, including restoration of some existing parking areas

Circulation

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Construct facilities or acquire equipment necessary for the replacement or expansion of current circulation methods in the valley

Remove circulation components to allow those locations to be restored to natural conditions

Create systems and facilities to support the reduction of vehicle traffic and changes in circulation options

Reduce vehicle traffic in the Valley, restore former circulation routes to natural conditions, and improve non vehicle circulation options

Conduct site planning for the following areas:

El Portal
Foresta
Yosemite Village
Valleywide transportation

Construct or acquire the following shuttle system facilities to replace or expand current visitor circulation methods:

Out-of-Valley parking at El Portal, Badger Pass, and Hazel Green (or Foresta)
New shuttle buses
New Transit Center
Employee housing for shuttle operators

Construct multi-use paved trail segments to replace circulation routes at bridge removal sites

Remove the following circulation components:

Curry Orchard parking
Selected turnouts and parking lanes throughout the Valley
Scattered parking areas
Sugar Pine Bridge
Stoneman Bridge (pending further evaluation)
�Ahwahnee Meadow Road

Create the following systems to support the reduction of vehicle traffic:

New shuttle stops and upgrades on existing shuttle stops, including lockers, bike racks, and new signs
Employee transit system
Traffic information and transportation management system

Remove and restore some existing picnic areas and create new picnic areas to better align picnicking options with multi-use paved paths and new shuttle routes

Reduce vehicle traffic in the Valley through:

Implementation of the out-of-Valley shuttle system
Implementation of the improved and expanded in-Valley shuttle system
Active management of traffic flow into the Valley

Restore former circulation routes to natural conditions at the former Curry Orchard parking, Sugar Pine Bridge, Stoneman Bridge (pending further evaluation), and Ahwahnee Meadow Road locations

Improve nonvehicle circulation routes through:

Completion of the Valley loop multi-use paved trail
Conversion of Southside Drive into a 2-way road to allow for conversion of Northside Drive into a multi-use paved trail

Employee Housing

Conduct necessary site planning, design work, and regulatory compliance for locations of new structures and circulation routes

Create replacement facilities for functions being removed for housing projects

Remove functions and facilities in employee housing areas to allow for adaptive reuse, new construction, or restoration of existing locations

Construct functions and facilities to support housing development in El Portal, Wawona, and the Valley

Relocate employee housing out-of-Valley, relocate some within the Valley and restore some former housing areas to natural conditions

For in-Valley housing, conduct site planning for the Curry Village and Village areas

For out-of-Valley housing, first, strive to find housing outside the park and administrative areas. If no private housing is found, conduct site planning for the following areas:

El Portal
Wawona
Foresta

Create replacement offices for Yosemite Institute
Some current housing locations will be replaced with the final housing projects
Once site plans are developed, additional replacement needs may be identified

Remove the following facilities:

Henessey's Ranch Trailer Village and modular housing
Yosemite Institute office from El Portal Hotel
El Portal Motor Inn cabins
Ahwahnee tent cabins
Cascades housing
Lost Arrow housing
House behind Visitor's Center
Hospital Row apartments
Remove housing from Arch Rock but adaptively reuse historic structures

Upgrade utilities and water sources in El Portal and Wawona to support increased usage
Construct employee transit system, commuter lots, and circulation routes at new housing locations
Construct housing support facilities such as wellness centers, cafeterias, and support offices at new housing developments

Construct new housing complexes in the following locations

El Portal � Wawona � Curry Village
Hospital Row dorms
Foresta homes

Restore to natural conditions former housing areas at:

Ahwahnee tent area
Cascades

Rehabilitate:

Ahwahnee dorm
Arch Rock

Implementation

As the implementation of the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS moves forward, the following principles will apply:

Disruption to the visitor experience will be minimized
Implementation plans will recognize that additional regulatory compliance may be necessary
Temporary solutions will be placed only in previously disturbed areas
Sequencing will take into consideration fiscal responsibility
The final implementation plan will strive for a mix between site planning, restoration, demolition, and construction activities.

Funding

The following funding table provides an indication of possible funding sources to complete the actions in the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS. As indicated in the plan, opportunities will be sought to develop facilities outside the park if possible (e.g., housing, visitor centers near park entrances, etc.) and thus funding may not be required as indicated below.

Description	Flood Recovery Appropriation	Concession Related & Capital Improvement Fund	Private Fundraising	Anticipated Fee Demo Program through 2004	Line Item or Other Sources	Alt 2 Costs
Resource Stewardship	3.4		12.0	1.3	11.8	28.5
Visitor Experience/ Facilities	54.5				59.1	113.6
Transportation and Circulation	11.6		3.0	27.5	31.3	73.4
Administration/ Infrastructure	0.6	10.0		20.0	20.5	51.1
Employee Housing	36.5				138.6	175.1
Fund Source Total	106.6	10.0	15.0	48.8	261.3	441.7

(Figures are in millions of dollars)

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