Electronic Newsletter, June 8, 2008

June 9, 2008

Yosemite National Park Announces the Public Comment Period for the Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment
Invasive plants are one of the greatest threats to the integrity of National Park Service lands. Non-native plants invade an estimated 4,600 acres of federal land in the United States every day, and already infest millions of acres in the national parks. Fortunately, Yosemite National Park is at the early stages of invasion. Unfortunately, 177 non-native plant taxa have already established within Park borders, many with the potential to spread rapidly.

The purpose of this Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment for Yosemite National Park is to evaluate a range of alternatives to prevent the establishment and spread of invasive plants into uninfested areas of the park, and quickly and effectively eradicate new infestations.

The public comment period for the Invasive Plant Management Plan Environmental Assessment will open on Friday, June 13, 2008 and will run through Sunday, July 13, 2008. The plan is available on the park's website at https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/invasive.htm. A public meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from 1 pm to 5 pm during the monthly Open House in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium. Additionally, park representatives will be available at the El Portal Planning Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 7 pm in the Clark Community Hall.

Written scoping comments should be postmarked no later than July 13, 2008. Comments can be submitted at public meetings, by mail, fax, email, and through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) commenting system. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the EA and to submit written comments:

Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Attn: Invasive Plant Management Plan
PO Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: [phone]
Email
PEPC: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/

For more information on park planning efforts, visit the website at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/planning.htm.

Tuolumne River Plan News
Yosemite's Division of Planning is pleased to announce the summer public events listed below highlighting the Tuolumne River and Tuolumne planning process. Please plan for an additional 30 minutes to walk from the parking area to Parsons Lodge. Arrangements can be made to accommodate those requiring accessibility assistance (call Kristina Rylands at 209/379-1175).

For public comment. In early July, the 2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook will be released for public review and comment through September 15. The purpose of the workbook is to update members of the public on the status of the Tuolumne River Plan, including unveiling early alternatives and planning concepts for Tuolumne Meadows. Last year's workbook was enthusiastically received and led to changes in the range of alternatives. Comments on the 2008 edition will be considered by the planning team during the preparation of the Draft Tuolumne River Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, scheduled to be released for public comment in summer 2009. Copies will be available throughout the Tuolumne Meadows area. To have a copy of the 2008 workbook mailed to you, phone [phone] (leave a message) or email.

June 21
PLANNER-FOR-A-DAY Workshop: 10 am-2 pm, Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an update on the Tuolumne River Plan. The NPS will unveil and discuss the range of draft alternatives (including the preferred alternative), and give a preview of preliminary concepts for actions being considered in Tuolumne Meadows. All of this will be documented in the 2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook.

July 18
PLANNER-FOR-A-DAY Workshop: 1 pm-5 pm, Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
Roll up your sleeves and participate in a Planner-for-a-Day Workshop devoted to discussing site concepts in Tuolumne Meadows. The planning team will be looking for your feedback on the range of early preliminary concepts. This input will be considered as the team enters into the Tuolumne Meadows site planning phase of the project this fall.

August 9
Slideshow: 2 pm-3:30 pm, Parsons Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows
As part of the Parsons Lodge Summer Series and in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, NPS planner, Kristina Rylands, will be give a slideshow and informational presentation on Yosemite's rivers and the nation's Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Detailed agendas for the June and July workshops will be posted to the park's website in the coming weeks at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm.

Announcing scoping period for the Yosemite National Park High-Elevation Aquatic Resources Management Plan
Yosemite National Park is preparing a High-Elevation Aquatic Resources Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) to guide management actions by the National Park Service to protect Yosemite’s diverse high-elevation aquatic ecosystems and to restore natural composition, structure and function to systems that have been disturbed by past or ongoing human activities.

The plan will include the lakes, ponds, wet meadows and streams located in the high country above Yosemite Valley and the diverse plants and animals that inhabit these environments. The Aquatic Plan EA will consider:

Removal of non-native fish from selected areas of the park to restore natural biodiversity in critical basins. Chemical removal of non-native fish is not currently being considered in this plan.

High-quality recreational fishing opportunities would continue to be available in diverse habitats throughout the park.

Restoration of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, Yosemite toads, and other species to suitable and strategic locations within their historic range to ensure survival of these species.

The development of Best Management Practices for recreational and administrative activities within high-elevation aquatic ecosystems to ensure that park resources and values remain unimpaired.

The National Park Service is requesting public input on the scope of the Aquatic Plan EA from June 23, 2008 through July 25, 2008. Two public meetings are currently scheduled. An Open House will take place on June 25, 2008 in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium from 1 pm-5 pm and a public meeting will be held on July 12, 2008 at Parson’s Lodge in Tuolumne Meadows from 1 pm-4 pm.

Written scoping comments should be postmarked no later than July 25, 2008. A draft document is expected to be available for public review in summer 2009. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the EA and to submit written comments, contact the National Park Service in person or by any of the means listed below:
Mail: Superintendent
Attn: High-Elevation Aquatic Resources Management Plan
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
E-mail
PEPC: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/
Visit online: www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/aquatic.htm

Museum Exhibit “Granite Frontiers” Features Yosemite’s Climbing History
Yosemite Climbing Association and the National Park Service are hosting “Granite Frontiers,” an exhibit focusing on the last 140 years of Yosemite's climbing history, with support from The Yosemite Fund and Royal Robbins, Inc. The exhibit runs from June 7, 2008 through October 27, 2008 in the Yosemite Valley Museum Gallery.