Yosemite National Park Announces Public Review and Comment Period for Hodgdon Meadow Housing Area Trailer Replacement and Utilities Improvement Project Environmental Assessment

Date: July 12, 2007

Yosemite National Park is announcing the public comment period for the Hodgdon Meadow Housing Area Trailer Replacement and Utilities Improvement Project Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA outlines a range of feasible project alternatives and analyzes the environmental effects of each.

The public review and comment period for the EA will open on July 16, 2007 and will run until August 15, 2007. Written comments must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2007.

The National Park Service (NPS) is considering the construction of a duplex at the Hodgdon Meadow housing area of Yosemite National Park. The duplex would replace a three-bedroom trailer that was in poor condition and did not meet acceptable housing standards. It posed serious health and safety risks with electrical, plumbing, and heating deficiencies. Consequently, the trailer was removed from the park and is no longer in use. The new duplex would help maintain suitable employee housing in Yosemite National Park. The shortage is most acute in the Mather District, which includes Hodgdon Meadow. The park identified Hodgdon Meadow area as an appropriate area for residential and administrative facilities development in the 1980 General Management Plan.

The NPS is also considering replacing the well water disinfection system. Low pH values in the drinking water are causing copper piping and lead solder to leach into the drinking water. Consequently, drinking water is above California Department of Health Services (CDHS) mandated action levels. The new system would increase pH values, thereby reducing corrosiveness of the well water and improving drinking water to within CDHS standards.

A public meeting will take place during the Public Comment and Review Period at the park's monthly Open House on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 from 1pm to 5pm in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium.

Comments can be submitted at public meetings, by mail, fax, email, and through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) commenting system. A link to project information will be posted on the park's website at www.nps.gov/yose/planning. To request a hard copy or CD ROM version of the EA and to submit written comments:

• In person at public meeting
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]
• PEPC: https://parkplanning.nps.gov
• Mail: Yosemite National Park Superintendent

Attn: Hodgdon Meadow Housing Area Trailer Replacement and Utilities Improvement Project

P.O. Box 577

Yosemite, CA 95389