| Table of Contents | Environmental Consequences | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 |
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This analysis describes impacts to wildlife in terms of changes to habitat, such as habitat loss or gain, degradation or enhancement, fragmentation or connectivity, amount of human disturbance, and potential for increased or decreased conditioning of wildlife. The Vegetation section provides detail (including acreage breakdowns) on the vegetation types that are related to the habitat types covered in this section: upland, California black oak woodland, meadow, riparian, and other. All but the upland and other habitat types are considered highly valued resources by the National Park Service because of their value to wildlife combined with other factors, such as their scarcity on a regional basis and their value as critical components in park ecosystems. General wildlife species associated with these habitat types are discussed in Chapter 3, Affected Environment, Wildlife; table 3-6 illustrates the connections between vegetation types and wildlife habitats. Rare, threatened, and endangered wildlife species are discussed in a separate section of this chapter.

Short-term impacts would occur to wildlife during construction or implementation of actions described in this section. Based on the mitigation measures that would be implemented during construction, all expected short-term impacts would be negligible.

Other impacts on wildlife and wildlife habitat generally would be characterized as long term for the actions reviewed under this alternative.

YOSEMITE VALLEY HABITATS

Habitat restoration would result in approximately 175 acres of restored or enhanced wildlife habitat within the Valley, of which 160 acres would be restored as highly valued resource habitat types. New or relocated development within existing wildlife habitat would result in approximately 75 acres of lost or degraded wildlife habitat, of which 72% would occur within upland and "other" habitat types (i.e., developed or maintained areas) within the Valley.

In restored habitat of all types, the resulting benefit to wildlife is highly dependent upon the size of the area restored and its connection or proximity to other natural or restored areas. Such benefit is also related to the proximity of the restored area to continued human activities and development. Larger restored areas of habitat tend to support a higher abundance and diversity of wildlife species and are less affected by human disturbance from adjacent development and uses. Connections within and among habitat types allow more natural wildlife movement, and access to food, cover, and reproduction sites necessary for all stages of the life cycles of various species. Management of human use in areas adjacent to natural or restored areas can minimize disturbance that would degrade habitat quality, especially of sensitive habitats such as meadows and riparian. For example, signs and fencing could keep visitors away from sensitive habitats or wildlife species, and control of human food sources in developed areas could reduce conditioning of wildlife and minimize human/wildlife conflicts.

In addition, where development is removed and human presence is reduced, management practices required to enhance public safety (at the cost of natural resources) can also be reduced. For example, dead trees (snags) are important habitat features for many wildlife species, but must be removed when they occur in or near roads, developed areas, or other sites of high human use. With the removal of development and the reduction in human use in an area, snags can be allowed to stand and benefit wildlife.

Adverse impacts to wildlife occur when habitat is destroyed or degraded to the point that availability of food, cover, and breeding sites is reduced, affecting the diversity and abundance of wildlife. The habitat area size, type, proximity to other human development and disturbance, and history of prior disturbance in the area, are all factors that determine the intensity of the adverse impact on wildlife.

Upland Habitats

Approximately 46 acres of existing upland habitat would be developed under this alternative, approximately 15 acres would be restored, and an additional 89 acres would be restored to highly valued resource habitat types. The beneficial impacts to upland habitats would primarily be the result of increased habitat size, connectivity of restored uplands with existing uplands and other habitats, as well as enhancement of habitat structure. (The adverse impacts to upland habitat would occur primarily as a result of habitat loss.) A summary of actions and impact intensities for Alternative 2 is provided in table 4-30.

The beneficial impacts of Alternative 2 are described below.

• Removal of Curry Village tent cabins would allow for the restoration of primarily upland habitat (ponderosa pine, canyon live oak, mixed hardwood conifer) and some small riparian habitats. Regrowth of forest understory would be allowed, benefiting wildlife species that depend on that forest layer (e.g., Douglas squirrel, mule deer, and black bear). Contiguity of this area with relatively unimpacted habitats along its southern edge would add to its value to wildlife, but continued heavy human use along the restored area’s north edge would limit the quality of the habitat in that area for some species. This restoration would have a moderate beneficial effect on wildlife.

• Removal of the concessioner stable operation would result in restoration of oak, pine, riparian, and meadow habitats, adding to contiguous areas of these types that are relatively intact. This would also help reduce the number of brown-headed cowbirds, a species that affects populations of other small bird species through nest parasitism. Overall, removal of the concessioner stable operation would have a moderate, beneficial effect on wildlife in its vicinity.

If, however, development of stables at McCauley Ranch becomes impossible due to its potential designation as Wilderness, limited National Park Service and concessioner stables operations would be developed east of Curry Village. This would still allow restoration of the site of the concessioner stable, but would continue the problem of brown-headed cowbirds and reduce the overall benefit of this action to minor, beneficial.

• Removal of Church Bowl Picnic Area would restore small areas of mixed montane hardwood conifer habitat (benefiting species such as gray fox, mountain king snake, and white-headed woodpecker), but continued use of the access road to The Ahwahnee would affect habitat quality in this area in the future. People would likely continue to use this area because of its scenic value, leading to continued impacts in the restored area, unless access is restricted. Consequently, a minor, beneficial impact would occur to wildlife.

• The relocation of the former Group and existing Backpackers Campgrounds as well as the removal of The Ahwahnee utility area would allow for the restoration of upland habitats in small areas of the Valley, resulting in improved connectivity of habitats and reduction of human presence in these areas. This would have moderate, beneficial effects on species such as gray squirrel, black-throated gray warbler, and mule deer.

• The removal of the Curry Orchard and its associated parking would allow restoration of the area to natural habitats, resulting in a gradation from meadow to upland that, with other restoration and existing natural habitats, would add to a contiguous block of habitats (moderate, beneficial impact). Removal of parking from this area would also have a major beneficial impact by reducing the conditioning of bears to human food.

• The removal of motor vehicle traffic on Northside Drive between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan crossover would benefit a wide swath of upland habitat by greatly reducing noise in this area, and making the road less of a barrier to wildlife movements and reducing roadway mortality. Habitat quality would be increased along Northside Drive for species such as spotted owls, bats, and ringtails, resulting in a major, beneficial impact.

• Restoration of the Yosemite Falls parking area would improve the quality of upland and riparian habitats. Continued heavy human use of the area, however, would limit its value to wildlife. Therefore, a minor, beneficial impact is anticipated.

• Restoration of habitats between Yosemite Lodge and the Merced River would benefit small areas of upland habitat and improve their connection to highly valued resource types. Such restoration would have minor, beneficial impacts to species that rely on this diversity of habitats and their connections, such as black phoebes, Cooper’s hawks, and Pacific tree frogs.

Adverse impacts to upland habitats and related species under this alternative are described below. Generally, adverse impacts to wildlife would be minor to moderate, based on the implementation of mitigation measures to minimize impacts of increased human presence and degradation (i.e., fencing and signs to keep people out of sensitive areas) and the provision of food storage lockers and enforcement to limit wildlife access to human food sources. Most areas adversely affected would be small relative to the large amount of similar habitat that would remain after the impact.

• The establishment of walk-in campsites east of Upper Pines and walk-to campsites north of Tenaya Creek would affect some upland habitats, in addition to some highly valued resource types. Establishment of the campsites would require removal of some trees, and future hazard tree mitigation would continue to reduce the canopy in these areas, affecting species such as black-headed grosbeak and gray squirrel. The forest understory would also be affected. The construction of the campsites and subsequent trampling would reduce understory vegetation, affecting species such as small mammals and mule deer. The new campsites would also provide a new location for conditioning of wildlife to human food, although installation of bear-resistant food lockers, along with education and enforcement of their use, would reduce the level of impact to some extent. However, establishment of the campsites would result in a moderate, adverse impact.

• At Curry Village, development of housing, lodging, and parking at the western edge of the existing development would result in loss of upland, riparian, and black oak habitats. Loss of upland habitat in this area would directly affect species such as black bear, pileated woodpecker, and western wood pewee. Adjacent development, which would remain, and a past history of human disturbance in the area have already affected habitat quality. Therefore, minor, adverse impacts to wildlife are expected to occur.

• Establishment of campgrounds east of Curry Village would affect upland habitat primarily through trampling of understory vegetation, reducing habitat complexity. The new campgrounds would also provide a new location for conditioning of wildlife to human food sources. Installation of bear-resistant food lockers, as well as education and enforcement of their use, would reduce the magnitude of potential impact. Overall, establishment of the these camps would have a moderate, adverse impact to wildlife.

• Development of parking in the Yosemite Village area would result in continued fragmentation of upland habitats; however, the area of Camp 6 within the River Protection Overlay would be restored. Increased human presence as a result of the parking facility would increase the potential for conditioning of wildlife to human food and trampling of ground cover in adjacent habitats. However, human access to the sensitive adjacent meadow and riparian habitats would be restricted, and enforcement of food storage policies would be provided. Species occurring in this area would primarily be upper-canopy species such as bats and small birds, most of which would continue to use this habitat. Initially, the tree canopy of the area would remain relatively intact, but future mitigation of hazard trees could result in incremental reduction in canopy closure, affecting species such as brown creeper and western tanager. Forest understory would be affected by development of parking, roads, and pathways, and by human trampling. Past and present human use, however, have already heavily impacted much of this area. Consequently, a moderate, adverse impact is anticipated from development of Camp 6 parking.

• The widening of Southside Drive, where necessary to accommodate two-way traffic, would result in the removal of some trees along the existing road, and the extension of pavement over strips of habitat alongside the road. Habitats along the road, however, are already quite degraded from the heavy amount of traffic on the existing road, and radiating impacts from visitor use near pullouts. Moderate, adverse impacts to Valley wildlife are expected.

• The construction of a new bridge across Yosemite Creek near Yosemite Lodge would remove a small section of riparian habitat on both sides of the bank. This area already shows minor degradation from trampling and the use of riprap to stabilize the bank. The new bridge would be designed to accommodate high flows of the creek to minimize future disruption to natural creek dynamics. Removal of a wooden footbridge on the north side of the existing bridge and restoration of that area to riparian vegetation would offset some of the impact from the new bridge. The net adverse impact from bridge construction would be minor.

• Development of new lodging facilities (141 units) at Yosemite Lodge would result in expanded human presence and fragmentation into upland habitats; however, human presence and adjacent development have previously disturbed this area. As a result of the disturbed nature of the site, impacts to wildlife from new lodging facilities would be minor.

• The El Capitan crossover traffic check station, if required, would result in the loss of upland habitat in the west Valley. The area is already affected by the existing road and traffic, but this development would cause the most extensive impact in the west Valley under this alternative, where current development is minimal. Tree removal would adversely affect local species that use forested habitat (bats, small birds, and owls), and the concentration of traffic in this location would cause noise impacts on adjacent habitats. These impacts would have a minor, adverse effect on local wildlife species.

• The proposed multi-use trail from east of El Capitan Bridge to Swinging Bridge, adjacent to Southside Drive, would result in moderate adverse impacts to wildlife from the removal of trees and other upland vegetation. The lower forest layers are currently marginal wildlife habitat due to their proximity to the road, but higher layers are relatively unaffected by the road. Removal of trees would, therefore, have a greater effect on wildlife using those upper layers (e.g., roosting bats). The trail would be designed around trees to the greatest extent possible. The proposed trail would also require management of hazard trees, which would limit the formation of snag habitat.

• Development of new picnic sites at North American Wall Picnic Area would remove upland habitat, affecting primarily ponderosa pine species such as Douglas squirrel, mountain quail, flammulated owl, bats, and Steller’s jay. Increased human use in this area would increase radiating impacts to habitat and wildlife, although there is already some impact from a parking area west of Devils Elbow. A picnic area would introduce a new area for exposure of wildlife to human food. Consequently, minor, adverse impacts to wildlife would result from development of these picnic areas.

• Upland habitat would be removed in the area that was the former site of Upper and Lower River Campgrounds to restore the area to its natural mixture of riparian, meadow, and wetland habitats. This would result in minor adverse impacts. Trees that have grown on the site since the campground was established would be removed, and fill material would be removed to restore the natural topography. This restoration could affect forest wildlife species such as black-headed grosbeak, northern flying squirrel, and western tanager. The quality of forest habitat in this location, however, has been degraded by past construction of roads, campsites, and infrastructure. A history of hazard tree management in the area has also resulted in a relatively low tree density and a lack of snags, both of which affect habitat quality.

California Black Oak Woodland Habitat

Approximately 8 acres of existing California black oak woodland habitat would be developed under this alternative and approximately 19 acres would be restored to this highly valued resource habitat. The beneficial impacts to California black oak woodland habitat would primarily be the result of increased habitat size and connectivity with other habitats as well as the enhancement of habitat structure. The adverse impacts to California black oak woodland habitat would occur primarily as a result of habitat loss. A summary of actions and impact intensities under Alternative 2 is provided in table 4-30.

The beneficial impacts are described below. Beneficial impacts to California black oak woodland habitat would have corresponding beneficial effects on many species, including mule deer, acorn woodpeckers, squirrels, mice, great horned owls, and a variety of small birds.

• Restoration of relatively large areas of California black oak woodland within the existing North Pines and Lower Pines Campgrounds, the former Upper River and Lower River Campgrounds, and the concessioner stable, in conjunction with restoration of adjacent areas of riparian, meadow, and upland habitats, would have a major, beneficial impact on this habitat type.

• Restoration of California black oak woodland in the area of The Ahwahnee tennis courts would have a moderate, beneficial effect on wildlife. This would eliminate the current gap in surrounding highly valued resource habitat, improving its overall quality for wildlife. It would also provide a minor reduction in human disturbance in this area, which includes the easternmost California black oak grove in the Valley.

• Relocation of the Superintendent’s House (Residence 1) would also have moderate, beneficial effects by adding integrity to the understory or ground cover of the surrounding oak habitat. This would increase its value to wildlife by improving foraging, nesting, and protective cover.

Adverse impacts to California black oak woodland habitat and related species under Alternative 2 would include:

• At Curry Village, development of housing, lodging, and parking at the western edge of the existing development would result in loss of black oak habitat. Loss of black oak habitat in this area would directly affect species such as black bear, pileated woodpecker, and western wood pewee. Adjacent development, which would remain, and a past history of human disturbance in the area have already adversely affected habitat quality. Therefore, minor impacts to wildlife are anticipated from loss of this habitat.

• New walk-in campsites just west of Upper Pines Campground and walk-to campsites north of Tenaya Creek would have impacts on the ground cover of small areas of oak woodland due to creation of tent pads and trampling from increased human use. This impact could be limited by restricting access in some areas to allow for natural oak regeneration. However, the practicality of restricting access is unknown; therefore, moderate, adverse impacts are expected.

Riparian and Meadow Habitats

Approximately 12 acres of existing meadow and riparian habitat would be developed under this alternative, and approximately 141 acres would be restored to these highly valued resource habitats. Much of this benefit would occur through implementation of the River Protection Overlay. The beneficial impacts to meadow and riparian habitats would primarily be the result of gains in habitat area and increased connectivity with other habitats as well as enhancement of habitat structure. Restoration of a broad area of these two high-value habitats would lead to the return of more natural diversity and abundance of wildlife species in a wide area of the Valley. The adverse impacts to meadow and riparian habitat would occur primarily as a result of relatively small areas of habitat loss.

The beneficial impacts are described below. Restoration and protection of riparian, meadow, and riverine habitats would benefit the most heavily impacted habitat types and associated wildlife. These habitats would become more continuous, providing better connections within and among habitat types, and enhancing wildlife movements. Typical species affected within riparian and meadow habitats would include red-winged blackbirds, frog and toad species, bats, and insectivorous birds.

• Restoration of Backpackers and Group Campgrounds, the former Upper River and Lower River Campgrounds, and a portion Lower Pines and North Pines Campgrounds would represent the largest contiguous area of habitat restoration in the Valley. An area within the River Protection Overlay at Camp 6 would also be restored to meadow and riparian habitats. Additionally, all campsites would be removed from the 150-foot River Protection Overlay. Major, beneficial impacts are anticipated from these restoration actions on riparian and meadow habitat.

• The removal of those Housekeeping Camp units within the River Protection Overlay would restore large areas of meadow and riparian habitat and improve connectivity of these habitat types along the Merced River. Human disturbance in these habitats would be also reduced. This would have a moderate, beneficial impact on wildlife species associated with these habitat types.

• The areas of Yosemite Lodge where cabins and lodges were damaged or destroyed in the 1997 flood would be restored to riparian, meadow, and some upland habitat. Also, the area between the Yosemite Lodge and the Merced River and Yosemite Creek would be largely restored to similar habitat. This restoration would increase the connection and integrity of these areas for wildlife species such as red-winged blackbirds, Pacific tree frogs, bats, and belted kingfisher. Much of this area, however, would continue to be affected by adjacent human use and the reroute of Northside Drive. Consequently, a moderate, beneficial impact would occur from this restoration.

• Removal of the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area would allow for the restoration of pine and riparian habitats and regrowth of forest understory. This would also decrease human disturbance in the area, affecting adjacent sensitive habitats. Therefore, moderate, beneficial impacts would occur from removal of this picnic area.

• Because the Yellow Pine Campground is relatively distant from the larger visitor concentrations found in the Valley farther east, it has caused proportionally more disruption of otherwise intact habitats. The beneficial effects on wildlife resources (species such as Douglas squirrel, Steller’s jay, and mule deer) from its removal would therefore be greater, with moderate beneficial impacts anticipated. Radiating impacts to riparian and wetland habitats would be reduced. The need to remove hazard trees would be reduced, eventually increasing the number of snags available to wildlife. The need to control and alter debris flow from Sentinel Creek to protect the campground would be reduced, allowing the natural dynamics of habitat formation and destruction from flood events. The campground would no longer be a location for conditioning of wildlife to human food sources. Use of the Sentinel Beach Picnic Area would, however, continue to cause radiating impacts that would limit full recovery of the Yellow Pine Campground area.

• The removal of roads from Stoneman and Ahwahnee Meadows, and the reconstruction of roads through Sentinel, Cook’s, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Meadows would help restore natural water flows across meadows, allowing restoration of valuable wildlife habitat. Habitat fragmentation caused by roads would be reduced, enhancing wildlife movements, especially of small animals. Major, beneficial impacts to wildlife would result from road removal.

• Removal of Sugar Pine Bridge and possible removal of Stoneman Bridge would help restore natural stream dynamics in those stretches of the river, allowing associated riparian habitats to regenerate and follow natural successional regimes. Altered deposition and scouring patterns caused by bridges would be eliminated, benefiting aquatic ecosystems. Restoration of riparian areas in these river reaches would further reduce fragmentation of this habitat. Overall, bridge removal would result in major, beneficial impacts to wildlife.

• Reconstruction of the segment of the El Portal Road between its intersection with the Big Oak Flat Road and Pohono Bridge would result in restoration of a small strip of riparian habitat on the south side of the road. This would happen through widening and realignment that would occur, where possible, toward the upslope side of the road. Riparian habitat would further benefit from removal of the numerous turnouts that have directly destroyed riparian vegetation and prevented its regrowth. Likewise, removal of the turnouts would greatly reduce trampling of vegetation by visitors accessing the river from the turnouts. However, beneficial effects of this restoration to wildlife would be minor, because the habitat would continue to be narrow and close to a heavily traveled road.

• The removal of the Cascades Diversion Dam and the sediment that has collected behind it would result in a minor, beneficial impact to riparian habitats and associated wildlife, such as warbling vireo, downy woodpecker, and western aquatic garter snake. There could, initially, be a short-term, adverse impact on the existing riparian vegetation from demolition activities, and subsequent changes in the river channel, but the restored natural river channel would allow the re-establishment of a natural riparian community in the area.

The potential adverse effects of this alternative on meadow and riparian wildlife habitat and species are described below.

• An indirect effect of the riparian and meadow restorations may be an increase in water levels that could favor bullfrogs. The bullfrog is a non-native species thought to be at least partially responsible for the decline of a number of other frog and toad species. An effort would be made to eradicate bullfrogs through an organized and consistent capture and killing program to mitigate this effect, resulting in a net minor, adverse effect from restoration of the habitat.

• At Curry Village, development of housing, lodging, and parking at the western edge of the existing development would result in loss of riparian habitat. Loss of riparian habitat in this area would directly affect species such as black bear and yellow warbler. Adjacent development, which would remain, and a past history of human disturbance in the area have already affected habitat quality. Therefore, Curry Village development would result in minor, adverse impacts to riparian habitat.

• New walk-in campgrounds just east of Upper Pines Campground would have impacts on the understory of small areas of riparian vegetation due to creation of tent pads and trampling from increased human use. Species potentially affected include mule deer, bats, and insectivorous birds. This impact could be limited by restricting access in some areas to allow for natural regeneration. However, the practicality of restricting access is unknown; therefore, moderate, adverse impacts are expected.

OUT-OF-VALLEY HABITATS

Parking, housing, and administrative facilities would be developed outside of Yosemite Valley to replace those removed from the Valley under this alternative. This would result in largely adverse impacts to wildlife and habitat in those locations where new facilities are established. Most of this impact would be to upland habitats. Some restoration, however, would occur in El Portal as part of projects there.

The out-of-Valley impacts are generally related to the development of parking facilities and would occur in Badger Pass, Hazel Green or Foresta, and El Portal. More visitor use in these areas would increase exposure of wildlife to human food. If overnight parking is allowed at these facilities, bears are likely to damage cars that contain food, and become conditioned to this source. Standard mitigation measures would be incorporated into project design to minimize wildlife impacts (see Chapter 2, Alternatives, Mitigation Measures Common to All Action Alternatives).

El Portal

• Development of approximately 370 parking spaces near Middle Road would remove a large area of oaks, resulting in a moderate, adverse impact to associated species. Species affected would include acorn woodpeckers, scrub jays, and great-horned owls. The habitat, however, is already somewhat degraded, with the area currently used for a woodlot and a storage area for scrap materials. It also lies between Highway 140 and Foresta Road, which may affect its use by wildlife and result in moderate, adverse impact.

• Development of high-density housing at Hennessey’s Ranch would further impact an area that has already been degraded by its current use as a trailer court. Remaining riparian habitat in the location of the proposed new housing is likely to be further disturbed from increased human presence, but mitigation measures such as fencing and signs could restrict human access into sensitive habitats. Regardless, moderate, adverse impacts on wildlife and habitat are anticipated from this development.

• Development of housing at Hillside East and West would affect upland habitats of pines and oaks that are relatively intact. Construction would remove some of this habitat, and increased human presence in this area would likely cause adverse impacts to adjacent areas. Species that could be affected include band-tailed pigeon, mule deer, and northern alligator lizard. Moderate, adverse effects on habitat and wildlife would occur in this location, as an abundance of similar habitat would remain unaffected in the area.

• Establishment of additional housing and administrative facilities would occur in other locations in El Portal, primarily among existing development, and would have very localized effects on small portions of natural habitat that remain in these areas. Such impacts are anticipated to be minor.

• Removal of the old wastewater treatment plant at Rancheria Flat would allow the restoration of riparian habitats in this area and enhance habitat continuity along the Merced River. Moderate, beneficial impacts to wildlife are expected to result due to restoration of this highly valued resource.

• Removal of the fuel transfer facility in El Portal would reduce the threat of fuel spills and chronic low-level emissions. As a result, removal of the fuel transfer facility would have a minor, beneficial effect on wildlife.

Badger Pass

Parking for approximately 400 cars would be established at the ski area, utilizing the existing parking area.

• Increased summer use of Badger Pass would require development of additional utilities to handle the increased demand for water and restroom facilities, which would impact about one to two acres of forest understory. Impacts to such a small area, and its proximity to development would have negligible effects on wildlife.

• Petroleum-polluted runoff from the parking lot could adversely affect adjacent aquatic and wet meadow habitats, but such runoff would be collected for treatment. As a result, only minor, adverse impacts to those habitats would occur. Lighting of the parking area could affect use of adjacent habitats by wildlife, although lighting would be of low intensity and designed to restrict the amount of light cast on surrounding areas. Resulting adverse impacts to local wildlife movements and activity would be minor.

• Radiating impacts into adjacent habitats could adversely affect wildlife through disturbance and trampling of vegetation. Efforts would be made to direct visitors to existing trails and away from sensitive habitats, such as wet meadows. Given the existing development in the area, minor, adverse impacts to wildlife are expected.

• Parking at Badger Pass could result in the conditioning of wildlife to human food, which could alter their abundance and ecological role. For example, an increase in the abundance of ravens could result in increased predation on other species. Access of wildlife to human food would be minimized through adequate garbage receptacles and collection, and education and enforcement aimed at controlling the feeding of wildlife by visitors. With the above mitigation, minor, adverse impacts to wildlife are expected to occur.

Hazel Green

The development of parking for approximately 720 vehicles just outside the park boundary, and a road to access this facility through park land, would affect mixed coniferous forest and perhaps some meadow habitat outside the park. Part of the area was at one time burned, but areas of large trees remain.

• A small, unnatural wetland at the edge of Big Oak Flat Road could be affected by the access road. However, site design would minimize impacts to this area to the extent possible. Given the small size of the wetland and the commitment to avoid or compensate for impacts, minor, adverse effects are anticipated.

• Removal of forest habitat for the access road and parking area could affect species such as spotted owl, Steller’s jay, and Douglas squirrel, although initial plans call for the retention of as many trees as possible. However, habitat loss would result in a moderate, adverse impact to the above wildlife species.

• Radiating impacts from increased visitor use would affect surrounding areas, including meadows. These impacts could be reduced through control of visitor access. The relatively small area affected, impacts of existing development, and the abundance of similar habitat in the area that would remain unaffected would limit the effect on wildlife to moderate, adverse impacts.

• Lighting of the parking area could affect use of adjacent habitats by wildlife, although lighting would be of low intensity and designed to restrict the amount of light cast on surrounding areas. Only minor, adverse impacts to local wildlife activities are anticipated from lighting of the parking area.

Foresta

Impact to wildlife in this location would come from possible relocation of concessioner and National Park Service stables to McCauley Ranch, rebuilding of 14 houses for employees to replace houses lost in the 1990 A-Rock Fire, re-establishment of a group campground, and, if negotiations for building out-of-Valley parking at Hazel Green are unsuccessful, as the site of a parking area (about 700 spaces).

• Construction of stable facilities at McCauley Ranch would disturb forest and meadow habitat and would create a potential nucleus for brown-headed cowbird activity, adversely affecting local bird populations. Improper storage of some feed materials could lead to bear conditioning and human/bear conflicts. Some of the area of proposed development has a history of disturbance. Cowbird populations would be controlled through a program of trapping and the use of processed feeds to limit seeds in droppings. Facilities for secure storage of feed would be provided. Therefore, a moderate, adverse impact to wildlife would occur at McCauley Ranch.

• The development of 14 employee houses would have a minor, adverse effect on wildlife, since the area affected would be limited and previously affected by development. The 1990 A-Rock Fire drastically changed habitat in the area. Species that could be affected are those that find the shrubby regrowth suitable habitat, such as lazuli bunting and fox sparrow. Burned snags that would have to be removed to clear home sites and eliminate hazard trees could adversely affect bats and woodpeckers of various species, although such snags are very abundant in Foresta.

• Re-establishment of a group campground in Foresta would have minor adverse impacts on wildlife because the area has been impacted from its previous use as a campground, and the site is well away from sensitive habitats, such as Big Meadow. There would be a minor increase in traffic on Foresta Road, causing additional disturbance. Hazard tree management would require the removal of some snags, but this would be a negligible loss, given the abundance of snags in the vast burned area of Foresta.

• If, as an alternative to Hazel Green, parking is developed in Foresta (700 spaces), shrubby regrowth habitats and burned snags would be affected. The facility would be centered over a previously disturbed woodlot and spoils area. Removal of vegetation could affect species such as lazuli bunting and fox sparrow, and removal of snags could affect various species of bats and woodpeckers. Such habitat and features, however, are highly abundant in the Foresta area, because of the size and intensity of the 1990 A-Rock Fire. The large number of visitors using the parking facility could cause radiating impacts into adjacent habitats. Much of the area, however, is difficult to access because of the dense regrowth of vegetation and the large amount of fallen timber. Access to Big Meadow via the road could result in substantial impact to this area, unless visitor use of this area can be controlled. Increased traffic on Foresta Road, primarily from the parking facility, could discourage wildlife use of habitats adjacent to the road. The parking facility could become the site of food conditioning of wildlife such as black bears, mule deer, and ground squirrels. This conditioning could result in conflicts unless adequate trash receptacles, area cleaning, education, and enforcement of regulations are provided. Overall, moderate, adverse impacts are anticipated from a parking facility at Foresta.

Wawona

Development of employee housing on the south side of the river would result in the removal of montane hardwood-conifer habitat, affecting species such as white-headed woodpecker, Cooper’s hawk, gray squirrel, and bat species. Radiating impacts from the new housing could affect surrounding or nearby habitats (e.g., Wawona Meadow), but access to sensitive areas such as Wawona Meadow would be controlled through measures such as fencing and signage. Development surrounding the area has likely already affected its use by wildlife, and similar habitat is abundant in wilderness areas to the south and east. Consequently, moderate, adverse impacts to wildlife are anticipated from new employee housing.

Entrance Stations

South Entrance

The minor expansion of parking and visitor service facilities would result in small losses in forest and riparian habitats. Site design, however, would likely be able to avoid riparian habitats (a highly valued resource). Loss of forest habitat could affect species such as spotted owl, gray squirrel, and brown creeper, but the quality of this habitat is likely already affected by its proximity to the existing development and heavy human use. Radiating impacts caused by increased visitor presence in the area is likely to affect surrounding habitats, but control of visitor access to sensitive habitats could minimize impacts. Consequently, minor, adverse impacts to wildlife are anticipated from habitat loss and increased human activity.

Big Oak Flat Entrance

At this location, there would be only minor expansion of parking and visitor service facilities, affecting primarily forested habitat immediately adjacent to the existing development. This habitat has likely already been affected by its proximity to the existing development, adversely affecting its quality to wildlife. Some increase in radiating impacts from increased numbers of visitors staying longer at this location could further affect nearby habitats, although management of visitors could limit their access to sensitive areas. Impacts to wildlife species associated with forested habitat would therefore be minor and adverse.

Tioga Pass Entrance

Minor expansion of facilities at this location would affect areas of lodgepole pine and dry meadows, affecting species such as Clark’s nutcracker, Belding’s ground squirrel, and mountain chickadee. Radiating impacts of increased human use in the area could affect sensitive alpine wet meadows, which could in turn affect Yosemite toads and mountain yellow-legged frogs. Management actions to keep visitors away from these areas could minimize these effects. The small area likely to see development has already been affected by pedestrian traffic and disturbance related to the existing development. Therefore, minor, adverse impacts to wildlife at Tioga Pass are expected.

CONCLUSION

The removal of development from the River Protection Overlay would reduce habitat fragmentation in the east Valley through restoration of broad areas of riparian, wetland, and meadow habitats, helping to restore the diversity and abundance of wildlife. Restoration to natural habitat of Yosemite Lodge cabin area, part of Camp 6, the Upper and Lower River Campgrounds, North Pines Campground, and most of Lower Pines Campground and Housekeeping Camp would help re-establish habitat contiguity that would benefit wildlife by allowing more natural movement and increasing habitat availability. Connections within and among habitat types would be improved, benefiting wildlife foraging, reproduction, and movement. Habitats in the west Valley would remain relatively intact and unfragmented, except by roads, picnic areas, and the El Capitan check station. The removal or reconstruction of roads through sensitive habitats would help mitigate their effects on habitat fragmentation and flows of nutrients and water. The removal of motor vehicle traffic from most of Northside Drive would help reduce habitat fragmentation and disturbance to wildlife along the north side of the Valley. The removal of Sugar Pine and Stoneman Bridges would help restore riparian and aquatic habitats in those river reaches (determined to be the most affected by the existing bridges). Exposure of wildlife to human food would be greatly reduced in east Valley by the removal of a high number of tent cabins and the removal of an apple orchard.

Establishment of new campgrounds north of Tenaya Creek, east of Curry Village, and east of Upper Pines would displace upland habitats, create local disturbance of wildlife, and provide areas where wildlife could become conditioned to human food. Establishment of out-of-Valley parking areas at Badger Pass, Hazel Green or Foresta, and El Portal; housing in Wawona; and housing and administrative facilities in El Portal would allow substantial restoration of highly valued resource habitats in the Valley. However, this would result in habitat loss and increase local human impacts to surrounding areas outside of the Valley, including conditioning of wildlife to human food. Should National Park Service and concessioner stables be relocated to McCauley Ranch, the local impact of brown-headed cowbirds on other bird species could increase in that area, but would reduce such impact in Yosemite Valley. If the stables are relocated to east of Curry Village, impacts of cowbirds could increase in that area.

Overall, the impact to wildlife habitat and associated wildlife species would be major and beneficial, based largely on the increased size, continuity, and integrity of highly valued resource habitats within the Valley. Adverse impacts would result from habitat loss, increased human presence, and wildlife conditioning to human food. However, these adverse impacts would primarily occur within habitats that are not highly valued resource areas and are also the most abundant habitat types inside and outside of the Valley. These impacts would be reduced by implementation of the mitigation measures presented above for each action and described in Chapter 2, Alternatives, Mitigation Measures Common to all Action Alternatives.

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

In Yosemite’s 100-year history as a national park, incremental development has occurred to accommodate visitors, and park visitation has swelled; both have affected wildlife through degradation of habitat and direct disturbance. Habitat that has been altered or removed by development will not support a natural abundance and diversity of wildlife species because conditions for food, shelter, and reproduction have been changed. Such impact extends beyond physical boundaries because some animals are less likely to use habitats near heavily used areas such as roads, trails, campgrounds, and lodging areas. In Yosemite Valley, such degradation and disturbance are greatest, with meadows bisected by roads, campgrounds built up to river edges, large areas of habitat displaced by development, trails and roads running through and over riparian habitats, and more than 2 million people visiting the Valley each year.

Outside of Yosemite Valley, impacts to park wildlife and their habitats tend to be smaller and more dispersed. Heavily traveled roads run through forest habitats, and small developments such as campgrounds, entrance stations, gas stations, and housing areas affect small areas of habitat. Larger concentrations of habitat degradation and disturbance occur at Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows, where concession operations, campgrounds, housing, and, in the case of Wawona, extensive private inholdings exist. Some areas of the park near its western boundary were logged around 1900. The construction of O’Shaughnessy Dam, which resulted in the inundation of Hetch Hetchy Valley and its extensive riparian, meadow, and wetland habitats, represents the greatest single change in wildlife habitat in Yosemite, both in area and magnitude.

Developments over time in Yosemite National Park have likely caused localized impacts to wildlife. These effects include decreased abundance and diversity of species near developed areas by changing the ability of habitats to provide necessary food, shelter, and reproduction sites. In total, these impacts have likely had a minor effect on parkwide wildlife populations, because a majority of park habitats are relatively intact compared to those outside the park. The park has preserved some habitats, such as old growth forests, that are virtually nonexistent in the rest of the Sierra Nevada.

In addition, wider-scale, regional effects on wildlife and wildlife habitat outside the park have occurred across the Sierra Nevada as a whole. For example, a long history of logging, grazing, mining, and development outside the park has caused profound changes in habitat conditions and wildlife populations. Long stretches of riparian, meadow, and wetland habitats were destroyed by a series of reservoirs on all major rivers, affecting the full assemblage of species dependent upon these habitats.

Impacts to wildlife would also occur as a result of other existing or reasonably foreseeable future projects (see Vol. II, Appendix H for a brief description of these projects). The effects of these projects would depend on several interacting factors, including the habitat type affected, extent of the area affected, quality of the habitat affected (e.g., level of existing disturbance), and distance of the area relative to the park and other similar habitats. Impacts on wildlife outside Yosemite National Park can magnify the adverse and beneficial effects of this alternative.

Many future or ongoing projects are limited in scope and would have minimal, adverse effects on wildlife, confined to specific development sites. Projects such as the Mariposa Creek Pedestrian/Bike Path (Mariposa Co.), Replacement/Rehabilitation of Yosemite Valley Sewer Line (NPS), El Portal Road Improvement Project (NPS), Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (inter-agency), Mariposa Grove Roadway Improvement and Giant Sequoia Restoration (NPS), and O’Shaughnessy Compound Water System Improvements (City and Co. of San Francisco) would occur primarily in previously disturbed areas, consequently habitat loss would be minimal. Noise and human activity would likely disturb and possibly disperse wildlife in the site vicinity during the construction period (short term). However, long-term impacts to area wildlife from such projects would be negligible, due to the existing levels of disturbance or human activity at these sites and the localized nature of the effects.

Development projects such as the Rio Mesa Area Plan (Madera Co.); Highway 41 Extension (Madera Co.); University of California, Merced Campus (Merced Co.); and the City of Merced General Plan would occur some distance from the park, but are expected to adversely affect substantial areas of wildlife habitat over the long term. Effects include short-term habitat degradation due to noise and human activity during construction, as well as long-term habitat loss. Habitats affected would generally be dissimilar to those in the park (e.g., grasslands, agricultural lands), with different species likely affected. Consequently, interactive effects of these projects relative to park wildlife species would be negligible.

More substantial adverse impacts to wildlife are expected from other projects, such as the Yosemite View Parcel Land Exchange (NPS), Yosemite Motels Expansion, El Portal (Mariposa Co.), Yosemite West Rezone for 55 acres (Mariposa Co.), and Hazel Green Ranch (Mariposa Co.), as these projects would affect important habitats in close proximity to the park. Projects such as the Yosemite View Parcel Land Exchange would result in long-term loss of important riparian habitat along the Merced River. Food, shelter, and reproductive sites necessary for riparian species would be lost by these actions. Chaparral habitat would be permanently lost near the park boundary due to the Yosemite Motels Expansion, El Portal (Mariposa Co.). Human activity associated with this facility would likely affect adjacent habitats and their use by less-tolerant species.

Some future projects would have beneficial effects on wildlife habitat and populations. For example, Merced River at Eagle Creek Ecological Restoration Project (Yosemite Valley) would restore and protect an area of high-value riparian habitat in the Valley. Although the affected area is small, it would add to the extent and contiguity of this habitat for wildlife. The rehabilitation of Tamarack, Yosemite Creek, and Hodgdon Meadows Campgrounds and Bridalveil Horse Camp would help alleviate resource impacts associated with campground activities that are adversely affecting the quality of adjacent wildlife habitat. Sensitive habitats would be protected and restored, thus improving forage, cover, and reproductive sites for wildlife over the long term. Water quality in nearby streams would be enhanced through implementation of erosion and drainage control measures at the campgrounds, benefiting aquatic habitats and associated species.

In addition, several ongoing or future planning projects could greatly benefit wildlife throughout the Sierra Nevada over time, including the Fire Management Plan Update (NPS), Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation and Collaboration (USFS), Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (NPS), Tuolumne Meadows Development Concept Plan (NPS), and Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (NPS). The Fire Management Plan Update would result in a more ecosystem-based management of fire, which would improve wildlife habitat by returning areas to a more natural and successional fire regime. Wildlife and their habitats would benefit parkwide over the long term through the creation of a more natural mosaic of vegetative successional stages, helping to restore natural abundance and diversity of wildlife species. Alternatives being considered in the Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation and Collaboration planning initiative could lead to more ecosystem-based management of U. S. Forest Service lands surrounding the park. Actions under consideration include protection of wildlife and habitats over a wide area of the Sierra Nevada, including protection of critically impacted habitats and species. Implementation of these actions could reduce adverse impacts to park wildlife due to isolation as well as destruction of seasonally used habitats outside the park.

The Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (NPS) and Tuolumne Wild and Scenic Comprehensive River Management Plan (NPS) would help identify critical wildlife and habitat resources associated with these rivers, and develop templates that would guide development and restoration such that important wildlife resources are protected and enhanced.

Clearly, the planning efforts described above have the potential to result in substantial beneficial impacts on wildlife over large areas. However, the magnitude of this effect would depend upon the alternative selected for each plan, and the level and timing of implementation of actions included in the selected alternative. These factors are unknown at this time.

When the expected impacts on wildlife from Alternative 2 are considered in combination with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects, minor, beneficial cumulative effects on wildlife habitat and populations in the region would likely result over the long term. Adverse cumulative effects would occur primarily from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as reduced habitat quality from human disturbance. Beneficial cumulative effects would result from habitat restoration, particularly riparian, meadow, and wetland areas. Future land management planning efforts could also lead to beneficial cumulative impacts to wildlife habitat and populations through habitat protection and restoration.

Alternative 2 would provide substantial restoration of riparian, meadow, and riverine habitats through implementation of the River Protection Overlay. Restoration of Yosemite Lodge cabin area, part of Camp 6, Upper and Lower River Campgrounds, North Pines Campground, and most of Lower Pines Campground and Housekeeping Camp would help re-establish riparian and meadow habitat connectivity in the east Valley, benefiting wildlife by allowing greater natural movement and increasing habitat availability. These actions would be consistent with the basic goals of land management plans such as the Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation and Collaboration and Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Plan (NPS). Removal or reconstruction of roads through sensitive habitats would improve habitat connectivity and help restore natural flows of nutrients and water, and removal of three bridges would help restore riparian and aquatic habitats along those river reaches. Exposure of wildlife to human food would be greatly reduced in the east Valley as a result of the removal of numerous tent cabins as well as removal of parking from the apple orchards.

Other actions associated with Alternative 2 would adversely affect areas of upland habitat and its accompanying wildlife, including establishment of new campgrounds at Tenaya Creek and east of Curry Village, rerouting of roads from meadows to uplands, and development of multi-use trails. These actions would result in loss of upland habitat, habitat degradation from increased human activity, and additional areas where wildlife could become conditioned to human food. These effects would be in addition to impacts to uplands outside the park from past and present land management practices, such as logging and grazing, that have reduced the availability and quality of food and cover for wildlife. Foreseeable future projects such as the Evergreen Lodge Expansion (Tuolumne Co.) and the Evergreen Road Improvements (multi-agency, see Appendix H) would cause similar impacts to upland habitats.

Alternative 2 would also adversely affect wildlife and their habitat outside Yosemite Valley. Establishment of out-of-Valley parking areas at Badger Pass, Hazel Green or Foresta, and El Portal, relocation of the stables and the volunteer group campground to Foresta, construction of employee housing at Wawona and El Portal, and the establishment of visitor centers at park entrances would result in habitat loss and degradation from human activity. These effects would add minimally to impacts of other actions that affect similar habitats. For example, development at Hazel Green, Foresta, Wawona, and the three entrance stations would adversely affect mixed conifer and other upland habitats. These effects (habitat loss and degradation) would be in addition to logging and grazing that have occurred over wide areas outside the park, as well as to proposed projects such as Yosemite West Rezone of 55 Acres, Silvertip Resort Village Project (Mariposa Co.), and reforestation projects. The proposed Silvertip Resort Village Project in Fish Camp would have the greatest interaction with the South Entrance visitor facilities proposed under this alternative, due to its proximity to the South Entrance and similarity in habitat. Consequently, these projects would have an adverse cumulative effect on many of the same wildlife species.

Use of Badger Pass for parking and transfer would not contribute appreciably to impacts to wildlife from other projects inside and outside the park because most of the impact would be confined to areas already developed for skier parking in winter. Local impacts on wildlife would occur as a result of increased visitor use and disturbance of habitat adjacent to the parking facility. These impacts would include trampling of vegetation and disturbance of ground-nesting birds such as dark-eyed juncos. In addition, runoff from the parking area could adversely affect nearby aquatic habitats and wildlife by degrading water quality through the addition of vehicle-related pollutants. However, these impacts would be minimal with implementation of mitigation.

Adverse impacts associated with the development of parking facilities and employee housing at El Portal (i.e., habitat loss and degradation due to increased human activity) would combine with impacts from other development projects proposed in the area, including the Yosemite View Parcel Land Exchange (NPS); Yosemite Motels Expansion, El Portal (Mariposa Co.); and the El Portal Road Improvement Project (NPS) to adversely affect riparian and upland habitats and associated species. However, because much of the area of potential development has been previously disturbed, the adverse impacts are expected to be minimal. Nevertheless, quality of forage and cover for species such as scrub jay, gray fox, and northern alligator lizard could be adversely affected.

The conclusion that cumulative impacts would be minor and beneficial is conservative because it is based primarily on the goals and objectives of ongoing planning efforts (such as the Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation and Collaboration) that are being undertaken to improve ecosystem management throughout the Sierra Nevada. However, should substantial or full implementation of the actions included in these plans occur over time, long-term cumulative impacts on wildlife may, on balance, be beneficial to a greater degree. The goals and objectives of these plans are complimentary to the overall beneficial impacts of the Yosemite Valley Plan on wildlife.

WILDLIFE

A Biological Assessment was prepared, in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, to assess potential impacts to federal endangered and threatened species (see Appendix K). Specific, action-by-action analysis of impacts on vegetation types and general wildlife habitat is provided in the Vegetation and Wildlife sections, respectively. The actions of Alternative 2 that would result in potential wildlife habitat impacts are listed in the Wildlife section. The effect of these habitat impacts on individual special-status species is described below. The impacts identified in this section are long term, except where noted.

This analysis covers federal and/or California special-status species. Recent correspondence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that a number of these species are being considered for elevated federal status; these species are also evaluated in this section. Special-status species are listed in table 3-6 (see Vol. Ia, Chapter 3). The "area" column of table 3-6 indicates the locations that have records of species occurrence or areas that may possess suitable habitat for each species within the vicinity of that location. Identification of a location in the "area" column for a species does not necessarily indicate that the species has been documented to occur in that location.

A total of 46 special-status wildlife species are known to occur, have historically occurred, or are likely to occur in Yosemite Valley or in the general vicinity of out-of-Valley project areas. One is classified as both federal and California endangered, one is federal threatened and California endangered, two are federal threatened, three are California endangered, and three are California threatened. The remaining 36 wildlife species are federal species of concern and/or California species of special concern. Of these lesser-status species six have been identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for elevation to threatened or endangered status. The potential impacts to these species or their primary habitats as a result of this alternative are described below.

Potential Effects on Federal and California Threatened or Endangered Species

Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus)

Status: Federal threatened. The Valley elderberry longhorn beetle is dependent on elderberry plants (Sambucus species) for its entire life cycle. The El Portal area is the only location within the study area that has a concentration of elderberry plants. The parking lot, new employee housing, and administrative facilities proposed to be developed within the El Portal area under this alternative have potential for moderate, adverse impacts on this species. Site-specific surveys have located existing elderberry shrubs in proposed development areas in El Portal. Based on this information, development actions would be modified to avoid these shrubs, or removed shrubs would be replanted. Additionally, most of the elderberry shrubs in the El Portal area are found outside of the existing and potential development areas. Given the location and concentration of elderberry plants, and mitigation measures that would be implemented prior to and during construction (see Chapter 2, Alternatives), the impact on this species would be minor to moderate and adverse.

Limestone salamander (Hydromantes brunus)

Status: Federal species of concern; California threatened. This species typically inhabits riparian areas near limestone outcroppings. El Portal is the only location within the study area that has potential habitat for this species; however, no known observation of this species has been recorded in El Portal or in other areas of the park. Site-specific surveys for this species would be conducted for any action proposed in El Portal within riparian and chaparral habitat and limestone outcroppings. If this species is found, its habitat would be avoided in development. Impacts to this species or its potential habitat would therefore be negligible and adverse.

California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii)

Status: Federal threatened; California species of special concern. This species is not known to occur within Yosemite Valley or any of the out-of-Valley locations that have suitable habitat within the project area. The increased size, integrity, and continuity of meadow and riparian habitat under Alternative 2 would have moderate beneficial effects on potential suitable habitat for this species, as Yosemite Valley is a possible reintroduction site. Construction of the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center could adversely affect riparian habitat at that location. Development in out-of-Valley areas would have negligible effects, because these actions would only affect upland habitats. Alternative 2 would also allow large, woody debris to remain in riparian areas, resulting in a moderate, beneficial effect on suitable habitat. Overall, given that the California red-legged frog does not occur in the project area, there would be a minor to moderate, beneficial impact on the species, largely due to restoration of suitable habitat.

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Status: Federal threatened; California endangered. Bald eagles are rarely sighted within Yosemite National Park and are not known to nest in the Yosemite Valley. However, riparian and riverine areas of the Valley may provide foraging habitat for transient eagles. The increased size, integrity, and connectivity of riparian and riverine habitat within the River Protection Overlay would have beneficial impacts on potential foraging habitat for this species. Habitats that would be adversely affected under this alternative (e.g., in Foresta) are the type that would less likely be used by bald eagles; therefore, the overall effect on this species would be minor and beneficial, due to improvement in habitat that is relatively scarce in the project area.

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)

Status: California endangered. The peregrine falcon was previously listed as federal endangered, but has been recently delisted due to its successful recovery (at least three nesting pairs of peregrines are present under existing conditions in the Valley). The increased size, integrity, and continuity of meadow and riparian habitat under this alternative would have beneficial effects on potential foraging habitat for this species by helping to restore the natural diversity of habitats over which this species hunts. Rock climbing activities would continue to be managed in nesting areas. Development and fragmentation in upland habitats would have negligible impacts on this species. The overall impact of this alternative on peregrines would be moderate and beneficial.

Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa)

Status: California endangered. This species is known to nest in the Crane Flat area and in meadows along Glacier Point Road. It also uses the Big Meadow and occasionally McCauley Meadow for wintering and staging areas. Meadows and ski runs at Badger Pass might be used by this species for foraging. The restoration of meadows and riparian habitats in Yosemite Valley would increase the size, integrity, and continuity of important habitat for this species. However, great gray owls are now rarely seen in the Valley, possibly because of the level of human disturbance in this area. Vehicle and human use would be reduced in the restored habitats in Yosemite Valley, which would provide a moderate, long-term, beneficial effect on great gray owls, but it is unknown whether such improvements would be adequate to allow the return of this species to the Valley.

Human use at Badger Pass would greatly increase in the summer, with the potential to disturb great gray owls. This impact would be limited to minor and adverse, however, if visitors are appropriately managed within meadow habitats. The establishment of stables and additional housing in Foresta, and additional housing in Wawona could cause increased disturbance of great gray owls, but the overall adverse impact would be minor given the existing level of development in these areas. If parking is established at Foresta, impacts would be moderate and adverse from increased human disturbance. Visitor use of other meadow areas, including Hodgdon Meadow near the Big Oak Flat Entrance and Big Meadow in Foresta, would also be managed to limit the effect on foraging habitat. Possible development of stables near McCauley Ranch could alter use of the meadow by great gray owls. This would have a moderate impact on the local owls, and a minor impact to great gray owl populations as a whole.

The development of parking at Hazel Green could cause indirect impacts to meadow habitat at this location. Use of this area by great gray owls has not been documented, but the size and elevation of the meadows indicate their suitability as habitat for the species. Development in this area is planned to avoid impact to meadows and restrict visitor access, resulting in minor, adverse impacts. In total, this alternative would have a minor, adverse impact on great gray owls if Hazel Green is used for parking, since this area and McCauley Ranch are marginally used by the species. However, if parking is developed in Foresta, the overall impact would increase to moderate and adverse due to possible effects on Big Meadow from human disturbance.

Willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)

Status: California endangered. This species has not been observed in Yosemite Valley for more than 30 years. It is typically found near areas with lush growth of willow shrubs. Loss of habitat and parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds are the suspected reasons for its decline. Riparian and meadow restoration within Yosemite Valley would increase the size, integrity, and connectivity of potential habitat for this species, with the potential for moderate, beneficial impacts by increasing the likelihood of its recolonization. These impacts would be enhanced by the reduction in stable operations in the Valley, which would in turn reduce cowbird abundance. Cowbird population control in and near the relocated stables at McCauley Ranch would be implemented to minimize the current and potential adverse impacts of cowbird parasitism. Impacts to willow flycatchers at Wawona and Hodgdon Meadows are expected to be negligible because their habitat would not be affected directly or indirectly. The overall effect on willow flycatchers and potential habitat would be minor to moderate and beneficial.

Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator)

Status: Federal species of concern; California threatened. Historical records show this species ranging from 4,000 feet to over 11,000 feet in elevation. However, it is now exceedingly rare and may only occur above 7,000 feet. Given this distribution, the potential minor expansion of facilities at Tioga Pass has the greatest chance of affecting Sierra Nevada red foxes, although such impact would be minor because of the existing level of development and human disturbance in the area, and limited extent of the expansion. Increased summer use of Badger Pass could affect red foxes by causing increased human disturbance in the area, but such impact is expected to be minor, given the large area of potential habitat in the area that would remain unaffected. If the species still occurs at lower elevations, then parking at Hazel Green, minor expansion of facilities at Big Oak Flat Entrance and South Entrance, and development at Foresta and Wawona could affect red foxes, but the existing development in these areas, the limited area that would be affected, and the apparent scarcity of the species at these elevations would result in minor, adverse impacts. From these factors, impact on Sierra Nevada red foxes is expected to be minor and adverse.

California wolverine (Gulo gulo luteus)

Status: Federal species of concern, California threatened. Tioga Pass is the only project location likely to contain wolverine habitat. Possible minor expansion of existing facilities would remove a small area of potential habitat that could be used in the winter when humans are generally absent. Increased human presence in this area could cause greater disturbance, especially since wolverines avoid contact with humans. However, given the existing level of development and disturbance, and the apparent scarcity of wolverines in the Sierra Nevada, any development at Tioga Pass would be expected to cause minor, adverse impact to the species.

Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae)

Status: Federal endangered; California endangered. Habitat for the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep in the Tioga Pass area is located in steep terrain that is relatively inaccessible to casual visitors. Although there could be increased visitor use at Tioga Pass, it is not likely that visitors would often traverse areas used by the bighorn sheep. Therefore, there could be negligible adverse effects on the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.

Potential Effects on Species that are Being Considered for Elevated Federal Listing

Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. Possible new parking facilities at Tioga Pass could have an adverse effect on Yosemite toads through a direct loss of habitat. The extent of habitat loss at this time is uncertain. In the event that facilities at Tioga Pass are developed, additional evaluation and compliance would be required to address potential impacts on the Yosemite toad. Given the special-status of Yosemite toads, and the highly valued resource status of their wet meadow and pond habitats, development would most likely be sited to avoid these habitats, resulting in a negligible effect on Yosemite toads.

Increased human use at Tioga Pass could increase foot traffic in meadows, as well as vehicle-polluted runoff from paved areas. Under the Preferred Alternative, human use would be controlled in meadow areas, and parking area runoff would be collected for treatment. This would result in negligible impacts on the Yosemite toad at Tioga Pass. Surveys at Badger Pass did not locate Yosemite toads, but the species occurs in nearby meadows. It is possible that activities associated with winter use of the ski area (e.g., movement and compaction of snow) have reduced habitat quality at Badger Pass for Yosemite toads. Because the toad has not been detected at this location and human use and polluted runoff would be controlled, effects on Yosemite toads would be negligible.

The Yosemite toad is regarded as a high-elevation species. There is a single historic record of this species in Yosemite Valley, at roughly 2,500 feet below its usual range. It is unlikely that this record reflects the sustainable range of Yosemite toads. Meadow restoration in Yosemite Valley would have a negligible benefit to Yosemite toads.

The overall effect of the Preferred Alternative on Yosemite toads is expected to be negligible, adverse.

Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylei)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. This species has virtually disappeared from its range in the Sierra Nevada from unknown causes. However, projects that cause impacts to suitable habitat (e.g., wet meadows and rocky streams) may affect reintroduction and/or recolonization of this species. Suitable habitat for this species occurs in Yosemite Valley, Foresta, Wawona, and El Portal.

Alternative 2 would restore a large tract of previously disturbed meadow and riparian habitat in the east end of Yosemite Valley; this would be potential habitat for the foothill yellow-legged frog, provided the non-native bullfrogs in this location are eradicated. The Preferred Alternative would also establish the River Protection Overlay, which would offer increased protection to areas adjacent to the Merced River.

Construction of the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center and reconstruction of the El Portal Road between its intersection with the Big Oak Flat Road and Pohono Bridge could affect small areas of riparian and meadow habitat, but site planning for these projects could actually result in restorations of currently affected habitats. Development of housing and parking in El Portal, and perhaps in Foresta, and development of housing in Wawona are expected to have a negligible effect on foothill yellow-legged frogs, because such development would not occur in habitat suitable for the species. Removal of the fuel transfer facility in El Portal would allow restoration of a rare wetland. Given that the foothill yellow-legged frog is no longer known to occur within the project area, but that a relatively large amount of suitable habitat would be restored, this alternative would have an overall minor to moderate, beneficial effect on the foothill yellow-legged frog.

Mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. This species is typically found above elevations of 4,500 feet in streams, lakes, and ponds. Known populations of mountain yellow-legged frogs have been found in meadows near Badger Pass, and suitable habitat exists in the meadows at the ski area, although the species has not recently been found there. Increased human use at Tioga Pass, Badger Pass, and adjacent meadow areas could have an adverse impact on mountain yellow-legged frogs through increased foot traffic in meadows and increased vehicle-polluted runoff from paved areas. In this alternative, human use would be managed to protect meadow areas, and parking area runoff would be collected for treatment, resulting in adverse but negligible impacts to the mountain yellow-legged frog.

California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. Declines of this species in the Sierra Nevada have been linked to degradation of its forest habitats from logging, which has affected forest size, structure, density, and tree age. Recent surveys in Yosemite Valley revealed five owls: three in west Valley, and two in east Valley. Restoration of forest habitats in east Valley, especially in live oak woodlands, would increase their value to spotted owls, as would occur with removal of tent cabins from Curry Village and removal of outlying buildings in the Valley maintenance area. The exclusion of motor vehicles from Northside Drive between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan crossover would improve habitat quality for spotted owls in areas adjacent to this length of road. If the North American Wall Picnic Area is developed, it could affect a small area of potential foraging habitat for spotted owl. Possible development of a traffic check station on Southside Drive near El Capitan crossover could affect foraging habitat for a pair of spotted owls that have a roost near the base of Cathedral Spires. Recent surveys for spotted owls found them between one-half and two-thirds of a mile of Hazel Green, Badger Pass, South Entrance, and Big Oak Flat Entrance. Development and/or increased human disturbance in these areas would not directly affect roosting or nesting areas of these birds, but could affect small portions of foraging habitat. Although no spotted owls were found in El Portal, the areas on the north side of the river could occasionally be used for foraging by owls nesting on the south side of the river. Foresta offers no suitable habitat for spotted owls, so any development there would have no effect on this species. Overall, the combination of these factors would result in negligible to minor, beneficial impacts on spotted owls under this alternative, due mainly to habitat improvement in Yosemite Valley.

Marten (Martes americana)

Status: Federal species of concern. Under this alternative, potential marten habitat would be directly affected by the development of parking at Hazel Green. If parking is developed at Foresta instead of Hazel Green, there would be negligible adverse effects on martens, since Foresta provides marginal habitat. Minor expansion of facilities at Big Oak Flat Entrance Station, South Entrance, and possibly at Tioga Pass could affect small areas of forest habitat and increase human disturbance in these areas, resulting in direct and indirect effects on martens. Increased use of Badger Pass would increase local human disturbance in the area. In total, these effects are expected to be minor and adverse because of the relatively small areas that would be affected, existing human disturbance in these areas, and the large areas of suitable habitat that would remain unaffected in surrounding areas.

New development in Yosemite Valley would occur primarily in upland, forested habitat, which could have an adverse effect on martens. Such development, however, would occur primarily in east Yosemite Valley, where prior development has already affected habitat quality. In west Yosemite Valley, habitats would remain relatively unaffected, and removal of vehicle traffic from Northside Drive between Yosemite Lodge and El Capitan crossover would improve a broad swath of potential marten habitat. However, martens are quite rare in Yosemite Valley, probably because the Valley is much lower in elevation than prime marten habitat. As a result, changes in potential marten habitat in Yosemite Valley, beneficial or adverse, are expected to have a negligible effect on the species in that location. The overall impact on martens, primarily from out-of-valley development, would be minor, adverse.

Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. Fisher habitat is primarily conifer and mixed conifer forests. Development of a parking facility at Hazel Green would have a minor, adverse effect on fishers because previous fire and logging have affected the quality of forest habitats in the area. If parking is developed at Foresta instead of Hazel Green, the resulting effect on fishers would be negligible, since a severe fire in 1990 destroyed nearly all forest habitat in Foresta. A parking facility at Hazel Green could reduce fisher roadkills by reducing the amount of vehicle traffic between this location and Yosemite Valley. The area around Crane Flat has been identified as prime fisher habitat (Chow 2000). There would be direct and indirect impacts on fishers from minor expansion of facilities at Big Oak Flat Entrance and South Entrance, and increased human presence around these areas. Increased summer use of Badger Pass for parking would likewise increase human disturbance in that area. These impacts are expected to be minor and adverse because of the limited area of forest habitat that would be affected, and because human use would be controlled in adjacent habitats.

Although fishers are very rare at lower elevations, records indicate that the species could also occur in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Foresta. In Yosemite Valley, projects that could adversely affect forest habitats could affect fishers. Such projects include the potential traffic check station near El Capitan crossover; campsites east of Curry Village, at Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground), Upper Pines Campground Campground, and north of Tenaya Creek; these projects would cause minor, adverse impacts. However, removal of traffic on Northside Drive from Yosemite Lodge to El Capitan crossover could provide a minor benefit to fishers by reducing disturbance and the chance of roadkills. Development of employee housing at Wawona would affect forest habitat, causing a minor, adverse impact on fishers.

The overall impact on fishers under the Preferred Alternative would be minor to moderate and adverse, based primarily on effects of out-of-Valley development.

Potential Effects on Federal Species of Concern and California Species of Special Concern

Merced Canyon shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta allynsmithi)

Status: Federal species of concern. This species is a land snail (as opposed to aquatic). Development in El Portal that would remove or alter talus could have adverse impacts on habitat quality. However, there would be no construction activity associated with this alternative that would remove or alter talus slopes in El Portal. Therefore, there would be negligible, adverse effects on likely habitat for the Merced Canyon shoulderband snail under this alternative.

Mariposa sideband snail (Monadenia hillebrandi)

Status: Federal species of concern. The removal of housing from the Terrace at Curry Village could restore potential habitat for the Mariposa sideband snail. This would be a long-term, moderate, beneficial impact. No adverse impacts on the Mariposa sideband snail are expected from Alternative 2.

Sierra pygmy grasshopper (Tetrix sierrana)

Status: Federal species of concern. Very little is known about the distribution and ecology of this grasshopper species. It has been found in El Portal, and suitable habitat for the Sierra pygmy grasshopper exists in Yosemite Valley, South Entrance, and Wawona. Because this species favors riparian areas, restoration of riparian habitat and the establishment of the River Protection Overlay in Yosemite Valley, and El Portal, would have a beneficial effect on suitable habitat for the grasshopper. This benefit is tempered by the loss of suitable habitat at the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center and along the El Portal Road between its intersection with the Big Oak Flat Road and Pohono Bridge. In El Portal, suitable habitat would be lost at Hillside East, Hillside West, Rancheria Flat, and Middle Road. Minor expansion of facilities at South Entrance would have a negligible effect on the Sierra pygmy grasshopper, due to the expected small size of the affected area. The increased human population in El Portal could promote additional foot traffic and possible trampling of habitat for this species. This would be a long-term, minor, adverse effect. Overall, this alternative could have a long-term, negligible to minor, adverse effect on suitable habitat for the Sierra pygmy grasshopper.

Wawona riffle beetle (Atractelmis wawona)

Status: Federal species of concern. Because the Wawona riffle beetle spends most of its lifecycle in rapid streams from 2,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation, the increased protection of the River Protection Overlay and restoration of riparian and aquatic habitat (about 100 acres) would benefit the Wawona riffle beetle. These actions would generally improve the quality of Wawona riffle beetle habitat by enhancing shading, water quality, root strength of riparian vegetation, input of large and small woody debris, and input of organic matter (USFS 1994a). Construction of the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center and the El Portal Road between its intersection with the Big Oak Flat Road and Pohono Bridge could directly affect about 12 acres of existing riparian habitat. Potential development in Wawona and El Portal is expected to have a negligible impact on Wawona riffle beetles, because riparian and river habitats would not be affected. Overall, there would be a long-term, moderate, beneficial effect on Wawona riffle beetle habitat, due to the large amount of restored habitat in Yosemite Valley and Wawona relative to habitat that would be negatively affected.

Bohart’s blue butterfly (Philotiella speciosa bohartorum)

Status: Federal species of concern. Although the presence of the Bohart’s blue butterfly has not been verified in El Portal, apparently suitable habitat, defined by the presence of its host plant, is found in this location. The construction of new housing at Hillside East and West and at Rancheria Flat, and the construction of parking at Middle Road could directly remove apparently suitable habitat. The increased human population in El Portal could promote additional foot traffic and possible trampling of potential habitat for this species. These actions could have a long-term, adverse effect on the Bohart’s blue butterfly, but such impact would be minor due to the questionable occurrence of this species in El Portal.

Mount Lyell salamander (Hydromantes platycephalus)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. The Mount Lyell salamander is found in wet habitats above 4,000 feet and is associated with granite slabs and boulders at the edge of talus slopes (Stebbins 1985). New development proposed in this alternative is not expected to take place in suitable habitat for the Mount Lyell salamander. Removal of housing from the Terrace at Curry Village could have a minor, beneficial effect on potential habitat for the species. Although records are lacking for the occurrence of Mount Lyell salamanders at Tioga Pass, suitable rocky habitat appears to occur on the surrounding ridges and mountains. The limited size of any further development at Tioga Pass, and its distance from likely Mount Lyell salamander habitat, indicate that impacts on this species would be negligible at this location. The overall effect on this species under Alternative 2 would be minor and beneficial.

Northwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata marmorata) and
Southwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata pallida)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. Implementation of the River Protection Overlay through removal of development, and restoration of aquatic, riparian, and wetland habitat within it would generally protect and restore potential western pond turtle habitat. Removal or reconstruction of roads through meadows would improve hydrology and could result in more pond habitat. This would be a long-term, moderate, beneficial effect on the western pond turtle.

Construction of the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center and the El Portal Road between its intersection with the Big Oak Flat Road and Pohono Bridge could directly affect existing riparian habitat. The increased human population in El Portal could result in additional foot traffic and possible trampling of habitat for this species. Because western pond turtles are also dependent upon upland areas for hibernation and nesting, actions such as increased development in El Portal, construction of the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center, and construction of new campsites could have a minor, adverse effect on this species. These habitat losses would have minor, adverse impacts on western pond turtles because of the small size of the areas affected.

The overall effect on western pond turtles would be minor and beneficial, based upon restoration and protection of suitable habitat in Yosemite Valley.

Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. This alternative would establish the River Protection Overlay and restore or protect about 100 acres of suitable riparian and aquatic habitat for the harlequin duck in areas adjacent to the Merced River. This would provide a minor benefit to habitat of the harlequin duck.

Construction of the Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center and reconstruction of the El Portal Road between its intersection with the Big Oak Flat Road and Pohono Bridge could remove about 12 acres of habitat suitable for harlequin ducks, which would result in a minor impact for this species because of the relatively small area affected. Development in Wawona would not affect river or riparian habitats and therefore would have a negligible effect on harlequin ducks. Overall, there would be a minor, beneficial effect on the harlequin duck, because riparian habitat loss would be minor in comparison with riparian protection and restoration along the Merced River.

Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperi)

Status: California species of special concern. Cooper’s hawks are found in wooded areas up to 9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. They frequently hunt along wooded edges.

This alternative would restore a large tract of previously disturbed meadow, riparian, and California black oak woodland habitat in the east end of Yosemite Valley, totaling about 140 acres. This would increase and improve high-quality hunting habitat for the Cooper’s hawk. This benefit would primarily derive from implementation of the River Protection Overlay and the removal and restoration of developed areas within the overlay, and from natural restoration of the Yosemite Lodge cabin area, part of Camp 6, Upper and Lower River Campgrounds, North Pines Campground, and most of Lower Pines Campground and Housekeeping Camp. Removal or reconstruction of roads through meadows would improve the integrity and productivity of this habitat. Removal of two bridges would help restore natural hydrology and its effect on riparian habitats. Removal of motor vehicles from Northside Drive, from Yosemite Lodge to El Capitan crossover, would reduce human disturbance in a long strip of habitats on the north side of the Valley. These actions would increase the amount and improve the quality of high-value habitat in the Valley by helping to restore the natural mosaic of habitats, providing better contiguity and connections within and among habitat types, and improving the ability of natural processes to maintain habitat quality.

New construction would take place at Yosemite Village Visitor/Transit Center, the possible traffic check station near El Capitan crossover, new stables in Foresta, and campsites east of Curry Village, at Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground), Upper Pines Campground, and north of Tenaya Creek. Southside Drive would be widened from El Capitan crossover to Curry Village, where necessary and possible, and an associated multi-use path would be constructed. These actions would adversely affect wooded habitat in Yosemite Valley. In Yosemite Valley, there would be an overall minor, beneficial impact on the Cooper’s hawks because a relatively large area of suitable habitats would be restored in relation to the habitat that would be removed.

Potential habitat would also be directly affected by construction of a parking area at Hazel Green. This would be a minor adverse impact because of the limited area involved impacted, the existing human disturbance in the area, and the large area of suitable, unaffected habitat that would remain in surrounding areas. If parking is established in Foresta instead of Hazel Green, the effect on Cooper’s hawks would be reduced because habitat at Foresta is less suitable. In El Portal, development of parking and housing could result in a loss of forest habitat, but the existing intensity of development in this area has already affected the quality of Cooper’s hawk habitat.

Development of housing in Wawona would result in the removal of some forested habitat which could adversely affect Cooper’s hawks, but the limited size of this area, the existing level of development, and the presence of large areas of suitable habitat in the surrounding areas would limit this impact to minor. Minor expansion of facilities at Big Oak Flat Entrance and South Entrance would have a negligible effect on Cooper’s hawks, for the same reasons listed for Wawona. Increased visitor use of Badger Pass in summer would have a negligible effect on Cooper’s hawks, because no new impacts to habitat would occur.

The overall, long-term effect on the Cooper’s hawk under this alternative would be minor and beneficial because a large tract of highly suitable habitat in Yosemite Valley would be restored relative to suitable habitat that would be removed by scattered new development.

Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. The northern goshawk is typically found between 5,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation, in dense coniferous forests broken by meadows and other openings. Development of a parking/transit center and access road at Hazel Green would directly displace an area of forested habitat, possibly affecting the local population of northern goshawks. However, the area is small and surrounded by large areas of suitable goshawk habitat, and a portion of the site has already been impacted by previous operations.

Adverse impacts associated with new development proposed at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station, the South Entrance Station, and possibly at Tioga Pass would be negligible due to the small size of the proposed development. Increased use of Badger Pass in summer could cause a minor, adverse impact to local goshawks from increased human disturbance in the area. Goshawks are usually seen in Yosemite Valley between November and February, but such observations are rare, and no breeding has been recorded in this area. As such, proposed new development in Yosemite Valley would have a negligible effect on the park’s population of goshawks. Overall, there would be a long-term, minor, adverse impact on the northern goshawk due to new development in partially undisturbed upland habitat at Hazel Green. If development of parking occurs at Foresta, instead of Hazel Green, impact to goshawks would be negligible and adverse.

Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus)

Status: California species of special concern. Sharp-shinned hawks are rarely but consistently seen in Yosemite Valley, usually in the fall and early spring as they move between wintering and breeding areas. Only one nesting record exists for the park: Yosemite Valley in 1930. It is possible that increasing human disturbance has affected the quality of Valley habitats for sharp-shinned hawks. Restoration of about 160 acres of previously disturbed meadow, riparian, and oak woodland habitats would improve overall habitat quality for sharp-shinned hawks. If human disturbance has been a factor in the use of Yosemite Valley by sharp-shinned hawks, then removal of vehicle traffic from Northside Drive, from Yosemite Lodge to El Capitan crossover, could improve habitat quality over a wide area of the Valley. Overall, these actions would result in moderate, beneficial effects on sharp-shinned hawks.

Under this alternative, potential habitat would be affected by parking at Hazel Green. This would be a minor, adverse impact because of the limited area involved, the existing human disturbance in the area, and the large area of suitable, unaffected habitat that would remain in surrounding areas. If parking is established at Foresta instead of Hazel Green, effects on sharp-shinned hawks would be less, because habitat at Foresta is less suitable for this species. Minor expansion of facilities at Big Oak Flat Entrance and South Entrance would affect small areas of forest habitat, but the existing level of development and human disturbance, and the large area of suitable habitat that would remain unaffected in the surrounding areas would limit the impact in these locations to minor and adverse. Increased visitor use at Badger Pass in summer could cause increased human disturbance to surrounding areas, but such effects on sharp-shinned hawks are expected to be negligible. Development of housing at Wawona would affect a small area of potential habitat. Overall, effects on sharp-shinned hawks under this alternative would be minor and beneficial, based upon restoration of high-quality habitats in Yosemite Valley.

Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Status: California species of special concern. Although golden eagles have been seen throughout most of the park, the areas of potential development under this alternative that contain the most suitable habitat include El Portal, Yosemite Valley, Foresta, and Tioga Pass. The following are assessments of potential impacts to golden eagles in these locations:

• El Portal — Development of housing, parking, and operations in this location would primarily affect wooded areas near the bottom of the Merced River canyon, which is not preferred golden eagle habitat. Most development would occur in or adjacent to areas with existing or previous development. These factors, coupled with the abundance of golden eagle habitat at higher elevations in the canyon, indicate that impacts on golden eagles under the Preferred Alternative would be negligible adverse.

• Yosemite Valley — Restoration of meadow and riparian habitats would improve habitat quality for golden eagles under this alternative. Even with this restoration, however, the terrain of Yosemite Valley would be marginal habitat for golden eagles, compared to other areas in the park (e.g., Merced River canyon, Foresta). Impacts in Yosemite Valley would be minor and beneficial.

• Foresta — Development of stables at McCauley Ranch would result in impacts to meadow and forest habitats. If parking is developed in Foresta, a larger area would be affected. However, the area of impact, in relation to the range of a golden eagle is small. Such impact is also offset by the large area of open terrain, suitable for golden eagles, that was created by the 1990 A-Rock Fire. The combination of these factors indicates that actions at this location under the Preferred Alternative would have negligible, adverse impacts on golden eagles.

• Tioga Pass — Development of expanded visitor facilities at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station could affect adjacent meadow and lodgepole pine habitats. The area of such impact, however, would be small relative to the range of a golden eagle, and abundant open terrain in the surrounding area would remain unaffected. These factors, combined with the seasonal use of this area by golden eagles, indicate that the impact on this species would be negligible adverse at Tioga Pass under this alternative.

The overall effect of Alternative 2 on golden eagles would be minor and beneficial, based primarily on restoration of habitats in Yosemite Valley.

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Status: California species of special concern. Actions that would occur below 4,000 feet in elevation, the primary range of merlins in California, would be most likely to affect the species. Under Alternative 2, this includes the following locations:

• Yosemite Valley — Restoration of meadow and riparian habitats and reduction of habitat fragmentation would improve the abundance and diversity of birds that merlin prey on in these open and edge habitats. This would be a moderate, beneficial effect on the merlin.

• El Portal — Development of housing, parking, and operations in El Portal would likely have a detrimental effect on merlins by reducing habitat in this location. Most of the area likely to be affected, however, has either been affected by previous development or by its proximity to existing development. This, coupled with the abundance of suitable merlin habitat in the surrounding area, indicates that the impact on merlins in this location would be minor but adverse.

• Wawona — Development of housing in this location would likely affect a small area of wooded habitat that could be used by merlins, although such habitat is not optimal. However, the existing intensity of development in this area and its effect on adjacent habitats have already caused some degradation. The local impact on merlins from additional development under this alternative is therefore expected to be negligible and adverse.

• Foresta — The development of stable facilities at McCauley Ranch could have a detrimental effect on meadow habitat that would be used for stock grazing, and meadow and forest habitat that would be removed to build of stable structures. Such actions are expected to have a minor, adverse impact on merlins by affecting the diversity and abundance of prey. However, the stables could also increase the abundance of certain opportunistic species of birds that feed on grain (i.e., brown-headed cowbird, brewer’s blackbird, and European starling), which could in turn be preyed upon by merlins. While this situation may benefit a few merlins, such benefit is far outweighed by other resource impacts created by unnatural concentrations of these bird species. If parking is constructed in Foresta, it would remove some potential habitat, but would not have a direct effect on the best habitat which is near Big Meadow.

The overall impact on merlins under the Preferred Alternative would be minor and beneficial, based primarily upon the large areas of habitat restoration that would occur in Yosemite Valley.

Prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus)

Status: California species of special concern. Open areas such as meadows and grasslands, are favored by prairie falcons for hunting, and cliff faces are used for nest sites. Actions that affect these habitats would therefore have the greatest impact on this species.

Restoration of meadow habitats in Yosemite Valley would benefit prairie falcons, but such benefit would be minor, given the rarity of this species in the Valley (territorial peregrine falcons may be limiting use). The relocation of stables to McCauley Ranch and, if decided, development of parking at Foresta could affect the quality of that habitat to prairie falcons, but the affected area would be small, relative to the adjacent large meadow and the area opened by the 1990 fire. Possible minor expansion of facilities at Tioga Pass is expected to avoid meadows. The overall impact on prairie falcons under the Preferred Alternative would be minor and beneficial, primarily due to restoration of habitats in Yosemite Valley.

Long-eared owl (Asio otus)

Status: California species of special concern. Given the rarity of observations in Yosemite Valley, and the age of the last confirmed nesting there, it is possible that increasing human disturbance has affected use of Valley habitats by long-eared owls, especially in meadow and riparian habitats. Alternative 2 would restore about 160 acres of previously developed meadow, riparian, and oak woodland habitat in Yosemite Valley. Removal of motor vehicle traffic from most of Northside Drive would reduce disturbance on that side of the Valley. These factors would have a long-term, moderate, beneficial impact on long-eared owls.

Under the Preferred Alternative, actions that would have adverse effects on potential long-eared owl habitat include construction of parking at Hazel Green and El Portal, construction of new housing in El Portal and Wawona, and increased human use at the South Entrance and Big Oak Flat Entrance.

These actions would have a minor, adverse impact because of the limited area involved impacted, the existing human disturbance in these areas, and the large area of suitable, unaffected habitat that would remain in surrounding areas.

Overall, there would be a minor, beneficial impact on the long-eared owl due to restoration of a substantial amount of high-quality habitat in Yosemite Valley, and a smaller reduction of lesser-quality habitat in other areas.

Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia)

Status: California species of special concern. The yellow warbler was formerly abundant in its preferred habitat of riparian woodlands, but numbers of this species have declined rapidly in California. The major cause for this decline has apparently been brown-headed cowbird parasitism, exacerbated by destruction of riparian habitat. Restoration of riparian habitats in Yosemite Valley under this alternative would benefit yellow warblers by increasing the size, contiguity, and integrity of high-quality habitat. Movement of National Park Service and concessioner stable operations out of Yosemite Valley would help reduce the abundance of brown-headed cowbirds in this location. The combination of these two actions would yield moderate and beneficial effects for yellow warblers. However, the re-establishment of the stables at McCauley Ranch would create a potential nucleus for brown-headed cowbird activity. However, active control of brown-headed cowbird numbers would be undertaken via trapping programs, therefore, the impact on yellow warblers would be limited to minor and adverse.

Mixed conifer habitat would be affected by the development of a transit center and parking at Hazel Green. If parking is developed in Foresta rather than Hazel Green, an area of brushy habitat would be removed, possibly resulting in adverse effects on yellow warblers. In either case, adverse effects would be minor, because habitat in these areas is not optimal, and is available in abundance in the surrounding area. Development of housing in Wawona and minor expansion of facilities at South Entrance and Big Oak Flat Entrance would affect forest habitat. The limited size of the affected areas, the existing level of habitat disturbance, and the lack of highly suitable riparian habitat in these areas would limit the impact to minor and adverse. Increased use of Badger Pass in summer would have a negligible, adverse effect on yellow warblers, because no additional degradation of habitat would occur.

In El Portal, effects on forest and riparian habitats from development of housing, administrative sites, and parking would have a minor, adverse effect on yellow warblers because the area involved would be relatively small, and existing human effects to these habitats have already degraded their quality. In total, actions under this alternative would be moderate and beneficial to yellow warblers because of the amount of high-quality habitat positively affected by actions in Yosemite Valley.

Mount Lyell shrew (Sorex lyelli)

Status: Federal species of concern. Because the only collections of this species have occurred in the vicinity of Mt. Lyell, Tioga Pass is the only location with a possibility for it to occur. Slightly increased development and increased visitor use in this location could lead to impacts to meadow and willow habitat of this species. Site planning, however, would be likely to avoid these sensitive habitats. Increased foot traffic could affect meadows, but such impact would be mitigated by directing visitors away from sensitive habitats. Given these impacts and mitigations, and the low potential for occurrence of the species at Tioga Pass, effect on the Mount Lyell shrew would be negligible adverse.

Bat species

Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus tahoensis)

Status: Federal species of concern. This species is generally found between 4,500 feet and 8,000 feet (CDFG 1986) in a variety of habitats. It prefers montane riparian areas with thickets of deciduous trees such as willow and alder. It also is found in young conifer stands that are interspersed with chaparral (CDFG 1986, Zeiner et al. 1990).

Under this alternative, potential snowshoe hare habitat would be directly affected by construction of parking at Hazel Green, and minor expansion of facilities at Big Oak Flat Entrance and South Entrance. This would be a minor, adverse impact because of the limited area involved, the existing human disturbance in the area, and the large area of suitable habitat that would remain unaffected in surrounding areas. A negligible impact would result if parking is established at Foresta instead of Hazel Green, since habitat in Foresta is less suitable. There would be a potential indirect impact on snowshoe hares from increased human disturbance at Badger Pass. This indirect adverse impact is expected to be minor, because human use would be restricted in adjacent habitats. Overall, there would be a minor, adverse impact on the Sierra Nevada showshoe hare.

White-tailed hare (Lepus townsendii)

Status: California species of special concern. The Tioga Road and existing development in this area likely has an adverse effect on the local population of white-tailed hares through habitat reduction, roadkills, and radiating human disturbance into surrounding habitat. Any additional development in the Tioga Pass area is likely to increase these impacts. However, given the planned limited size of development at Tioga Pass and the relatively large amount of suitable habitat in the area that would remain unaffected, minor, adverse impacts are anticipated.

Sierra Nevada mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa californica)

Status: Federal species of concern; California species of special concern. This species establishes its burrows in streams that run through montane meadows that are lined with willows. A known population of mountain beavers is located near the parking lot at Badger Pass. Increased human use at Badger Pass could result in an increased impact to adjacent meadows and degradation of water quality from vehicle-polluted runoff. However, if human access to mountain beaver habitat would be managed and water runoff from the parking area would be collected and treated, therefore the impact to the mountain beaver in this area would be minor, but adverse.

Conclusion

Habitat restoration within the River Protection Overlay and other adjacent riparian and meadow habitats in Yosemite Valley would help protect riparian-, meadow-, and wetland-dependent species such as the yellow warbler and several bat species. Enhancement of these habitats would improve their ability to support the return of willow flycatchers and California red-legged frogs, species no longer occurring in the Valley. The magnitude of this benefit would be increased by the removal and restoration to natural habitat of the Yosemite Lodge cabin area, Upper and Lower River Campgrounds, part of Camp 6, and North Pines Campground, and the removal of two bridges (Sugar Pine and Stoneman), most of Lower Pines Campground, and most of Housekeeping Camp. The removal or reconstruction of roads through sensitive habitats would limit habitat fragmentation and improve flows of water and nutrients, positively affecting meadow species such as bat species, California red-legged frog, and great gray owl. The overall impact on these special-status wildlife species would be moderate and beneficial.

The use of Badger Pass for parking could adversely affect the Sierra Nevada mountain beaver, great gray owl, and Yosemite toad due to increased human disturbance in surrounding areas. Likewise, establishment of parking at South Landing could displace wildlife species and increase local disturbance, adversely affecting species such as northern goshawk, Cooper’s hawk, California spotted owl, marten, and Pacific fisher. Increased parking and development at El Portal could also displace wildlife and increase disturbance of species such as the Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, California spotted owl, and Cooper’s hawk. Removal of National Park Service and concessioner stable operations from Yosemite Valley would reduce local abundance of brown-headed cowbirds in the Valley, resulting in a beneficial effect on yellow warbler and willow flycatcher. However, establishment of the stables at McCauley Ranch would increase cowbird abundance in that location. These stable facilities could also have an adverse impact on wintering great gray owls by causing increased human disturbance in the area. However, these impacts on rare species in out-of-Valley areas would be minor, based on the existing level of development in these locations, the relatively small areas of habitat loss, the surrounding large areas of relatively intact habitat that would remain, in addition to implementation of site-specific mitigation.

Comparing the adverse and beneficial impacts of this alternative to the existing condition, the overall impact on these populations of special-status wildlife species would be moderate and beneficial in the east Valley, given the large increase in acreage of riparian, meadow, and California black oak woodland habitats that are highly valued resources and preferred habitat for many special-status species in the park. These species would also benefit from the enhanced integrity of these habitats and improved connectivity with other highly valued resource habitats. For some special-status wildlife species, the magnitude of benefit provided under this alternative would be limited by existing impacts on these species outside Yosemite that have led to population declines over wide regions of the Sierra Nevada, and that affect species abundance inside the park despite the presence of relatively intact habitats (e.g., willow flycatcher). The effect of this alternative on species in out-of-Valley areas (e.g., Badger Pass and Hazel Green) would be local, minor, and adverse due to loss of small areas of forest habitat relative to the amount of suitable habitat remaining.

Cumulative Impacts

The following sections discuss the potential impacts of other past, present, and foreseeable future projects on special-concern species in conjunction with the impacts of Alternative 2. Appendix H presents other ongoing or future projects in the region that were considered in the cumulative impacts analysis. The analysis assumed that California Environmental Quality Act and Endangered Species Act mitigation requirements would be implemented as part of each foreseeable future project, as applicable.

Potential Cumulative Impacts on Federal and California Threatened or Endangered Species

Potential Effects on Species that Are Being Considered for Elevated Federal Listing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that the following species of concern may be listed as federal threatened or endangered in the future. Because these species could be listed before the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS is finalized, the potential impacts to these species are also described.

| Table of Contents | Environmental Consequences | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 |
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 |

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