Yosemite National Park Announces The Tioga Trailheads Project

Date: October 31, 2008

Yosemite National Park is preparing a Tioga Trailheads Environmental Assessment (EA) to provide corridor-wide trailhead design guidelines; to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources; and to improve visitor safety, access, and enjoyment. This project will consider alternative means to improve traffic and pedestrian travel patterns, way-finding, accessibility, interpretation, picnicking facilities, food storage, and waste management.

This project will address eight of the twelve designated trailheads along the Tioga Road, including: Gaylor Lakes at Tioga Pass, Mono Pass, Snow Creek, May Lake, Porcupine, Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes, Lukens Lake, and Tamarack Flat/Aspen Valley.

An environmental assessment is currently underway. Public scoping will occur from November 6 through December 12, 2008. Comments with issues, ideas, and suggestions for the Tioga Trailheads Project may be submitted during this period. The public will have a second formal comment period when the environmental assessment is ready for review (anticipated in winter 2009/2010).

Although there will be two formal opportunities to comment on this plan, it is important to remember that comments are welcome at any time during the planning process. A field visit is scheduled for November 15, pending weather and road conditions. Additional field visits will be scheduled in the spring and early summer of 2009.

For More Information:

• Visit www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/ttp.htm for more information on plans and projects in Yosemite National Park.
• Attend a National Park Service public open house to talk with project specialists and obtain more information on this topic. Visit the park’s planning website (listed above) for upcoming dates.
• Add your name to the park’s planning mailing list and receive the Planning Update newsletter as well as other planning-related notices. You can also submit your email address to receive the park’s periodic electronic newsletter.
• Additionally, you can submit comments with your thoughts about this topic or any other project in the park by any of the following means:

Mail: Superintendent
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389

Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]