PLATES

INTRODUCTION

This volume provides a graphic interpretation of the alternatives considered in the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. These individual graphics, referred to as "plates," characterize the important aspects and relationships of the alternatives and their various components. The plates are intended to highlight the resource and value-based elements used during the planning process as well as the extent and type of actions proposed for each alternative. These plates are included to help the reader better understand how significant natural and cultural resources influenced the development of the alternatives, and also help the reader evaluate the alternatives and their potential environmental consequences. Therefore, it is most useful to view these plates in conjunction with Volume Ia: Chapter 1, Purpose of and Need for the Action; Chapter 2, Alternatives; Chapter 3, Affected Environment; and Volume Ib: Chapter 4, Environmental Consequences.

In this volume, there are 50 plates divided into six sections. There is one section of overview plates, and one section of plates for each alternative considered in the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/SEIS.

The plates are map-like and are primarily based on spatial data adapted from a geographic information system (GIS). However, in order to maintain accuracy and make the plates easy to understand, the geographic information has occasionally been generalized. This means that not all features (such as intermittent streams or small structures) are shown, and some proposed features (such as new trails) may not be shown in their precise locations.

The level of detail on the plates differs depending upon the scale of the area displayed. For example, plate A ­ State Overview shows a large geographic area, but in limited detail. Comparably, plate D ­ Yosemite Valley Development Considerations depicts a smaller area with a moderately higher level of detail. The site plates for each alternative, such as plate 1­4, Alternative 1, Yosemite Village, focus on a smaller area and therefore show the greatest level of detail.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES

Overview Plates

The overview plates include several Yosemite National Park location graphics (plates A, B, and C), as well as resource-specific views of Yosemite Valley, including Highly Valued Natural and Cultural Resources (plate D), Development Considerations (plate E), Scenic Analysis (plate F), and Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Zones (plates G1­G3). The overview plates are intended to provide a context for the planning process and a comprehensive view of the significant resources within Yosemite Valley. For a more detailed description of the information presented on the overview plates, see Volume Ia, Chapter 1, Purpose of and Need for the Action; Chapter 2, Alternatives; and Chapter 3, Affected Environment.

Alternative Plates

There is one section of plates for each of the five alternatives. Each alternative section includes a Yosemite Valley Overview, East Yosemite Valley Overview, and site plates for Yosemite Lodge, Yosemite Village, Curry Village and Campgrounds, El Portal, and Foresta. Site plates for Wawona and out-of-Valley parking locations are included only in alternative sections that have actions proposed for those areas. For instance, Alternative 3 does not include a proposal for out-of-Valley parking. Therefore, there is no out-of-Valley parking plate in the Alternative 3 section. For more detailed information on the location and type of actions proposed under each alternative, see Volume Ia, Chapter 2, Alternatives.

Color is used on the alternative plates to differentiate the types of development actions proposed within a given area. For instance, linear features in Yosemite Valley, such as roads and trails, are distinguished by color as either existing (black) or new (red). Restored road and trail corridors (corridors that are removed) are not shown on the alternative plates. Area features, such as lodging and parking, are distinguished by colors to indicate type of development or natural resource restoration. The four land-use categories used to illustrate area features are as follows:

Existing Development (Brown): Existing development areas currently have concentrated facilities and use (e.g., buildings, campgrounds, and picnic areas) or have been affected by recent concentration of facilities in the area (e.g., former campgrounds and housing areas unused since the 1997 flood). Existing development typically includes historic properties (except historic orchards). Major parking areas are shown as existing development, but small parking areas, such as roadside turnouts, are not. Areas shown as existing development in the action alternatives (Alternatives 2 through 5) would remain essentially unchanged.

Redevelopment (Orange): Redevelopment areas are those with existing development proposed for a change in land use. All or part of an area shown for the redevelopment area could be altered. Redevelopment could include demolishing one structure and constructing another in its place; constructing a new type of facility in a currently impacted area; or developing an area to include new or rehabilitated structures, new or realigned transportation corridors, and intermittent areas of natural resource restoration. Existing facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, etc.) are only shown in redevelopment areas if they are likely to remain.

New Development (Purple): New development areas indicate the maximum extent of development proposed in a place that does not currently contain existing development. New facilities could be constructed in all or part of the area shown.

Natural Resource Restoration (Green): Natural resource restoration areas contain existing development and some adjacent impacted areas that would be restored to natural conditions. Restoration could occur outside of existing development where human intervention has altered floodplain and riparian characteristics near heavily used areas, such as campgrounds or lodging. For instance, if a campground next to the Merced River is proposed for restoration, the entire campground, plus any land between the campground and the river, would be restored.

DATA SOURCES AND REFERENCES

The graphic information shown on these plates has been adapted from two main sources: data contained within the Yosemite National Park Geographic Information System (GIS), and data provided in published maps and reports. The data developed within the park's GIS are derived from a variety of sources, including U.S. Geologic Survey 7.5-minute quadrangles and the Yosemite Maintenance Division's survey data for roads, utilities, and structures. The information provided by the park's GIS includes the alternative action boundaries, transportation corridors, and facility locations.

Several images, documents, and digital datasets were adapted for use from publications and reports. The following reference list includes several maps and reports that have been incorporated into the overview and alternative plates. The original scale of the map or data is noted in parentheses, when known.

1998 Hydrologic and Hydraulic Investigation for Proposed Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, CA. (1:2400). CBA File No. 530021-05-0307.

Chow, L., J. van Wagtendonk, S. Thompson, and K. McCurdy

1994 Using wildlife habitat relationship models for land use planning for Yosemite Valley. (20 meter). 1994 Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society, 30:49-55.

National Park Service

1976 Camp Curry Historic Site National Register of Historic Places Nomination form.

1976 The Ahwahnee Hotel National Register of Historic Places Nomination form.

1977 Yosemite Village Historic District National Register of Historic Places Nomination form.

1994 The Plant Communities of Yosemite Valley ­ a Map and Descriptive Key by Lisa Nemzer Acree (20 meter). Technical Report NPS/WRUC/NRTR-94-01. Davis, California: Cooperative Resources Studies Unit, National Park Service.

1994 Yosemite Valley Cultural Landscape Report, Yosemite National Park, California, Volumes 1 and 2. Prepared by Land and Community Associates.

2000 Draft Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analysis, Phase 2, Yosemite National Park, CA. (1:2400). Prepared by Stantec Consulting, Inc.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

1995 Draft National Wetland Inventory Maps, Yosemite National Park. (1:58000).

1998 Final National Wetland Inventory Maps, Yosemite National Park. (1:58000).

U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

1981 El Portal Quadrangle. 7.5 minute topographic series. (1:24000).

1990 El Capitan Quadrangle. 7.5 minute topographic series. (1:24000).

1990 Mariposa Grove Quadrangle (provisional edition). 7.5 minute topographic series. (1:24000).

1990 Wawona Quadrangle (provisional edition). 7.5 minute topographic series. (1:24000).

Wieczorek, G.F., M.M. Morrissey, G. Iovine, and J. Godt

1998 Rock-fall Hazards in the Yosemite Valley. (1:12,000). U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 98-467

1999 Rock-fall Potential in the Yosemite Valley, California. (1:12000). U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 99-0578

| Table of Contents | Introduction | Plates A-G | Alt 1 | Alt 2 | Alt 3 | Alt 4 | Alt 5 |

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