In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, I would like to announce the opening of public scoping on several improvement projects that are being initiated in Yosemite National Park. The park's planning teams are interested in your written comments, concerns, and suggestions relating to the following projects:

Environmental Education Campus Development
Comments accepted through November 14
An environmental impact statement will present alternatives for a sustainable residential environmental education campus, operated by Yosemite Institute. The current facility is located at Crane Flat, off of the Tioga Road. This project seeks to continue and expand on the existing environmental education program. Redevelopment of the campus is necessary to meet the current health and safety requirements and the demand for high-quality resource-related education and interpretation. This center will serve the unmet current and future needs of the National Park Service and all park partner organizations focused on education and interpretation.

Yosemite Lodge Area Redevelopment
Comments accepted through October 26
An environmental assessment will present site plans for redeveloping the Yosemite Lodge area as specified in the Yosemite Valley Plan. This project includes three separate actions:

• Redevelopment of Yosemite Lodge: The character of Yosemite Lodge will be improved by changing from a motel-type of experience to one more connected to a national park lodge experience in Yosemite Valley. Also, facilities will be removed from the river protection zone and floodplain. Construction will be phased in order to provide continuous operation of the existing Yosemite Lodge facilities.
  
• Camp 4 Redesign: Camp 4 will be redesigned to accommodate the expansion and improvements called for in the Yosemite Valley Plan. Note: This aspect of the project addresses only the design phase for the Camp 4 area.
  
• Relocation of Northside Drive: The road will be relocated south of Yosemite Lodge to reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians and to provide safer pedestrian access between the Lodge and the Lower Yosemite Fall area. Note: This aspect of the project only affects Northside Drive in the area of Yosemite Lodge.

Curry Village and East Valley Campground Improvements
Comments accepted through October 26
An environmental assessment will evaluate alternatives for a site plan in the eastern portion of Yosemite Valley in order to implement actions as called for in the Yosemite Valley Plan. The project area generally extends south of the Merced River from the eastern boundary of Housekeeping Camp to Happy Isles, as well as the area along Tenaya Creek for proposed campsites. The site plan is needed to ensure that all related actions proposed for the east Valley are implemented in a logical, feasible, and cost-effective manner. It is also needed to identify potential impacts and appropriate mitigation measures, including those required by the Yosemite Valley Plan. Examples of the many projects addressed in this assessment include east Yosemite Valley campground improvements; new visitor cabins in Curry Village; the relocation of the Curry Village ice rink; new and reconfigured food service and concession facilities at Curry Village; and relocation of the concessioner stable.

South Fork Bridge Replacement in Wawona
Comments accepted through October 26
An environmental assessment will evaluate alternatives for removing and replacing the flood-damaged bridge over the South Fork of the Merced River in Wawona. Currently, a temporary bridge spans the river immediately adjacent to the closed bridge. Removal and replacement of the South Fork Bridge will follow the guidance established in the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan.

Replacement Office Building in El Portal
Comments accepted through October 26
An environmental assessment will evaluate alternatives for construction of a National Park Service office building in the El Portal Administrative Site. This structure will be located adjacent to the existing National Park Service warehouse/maintenance complex. The building will replace offices damaged in the 1997 flood and will also relocate offices out of Yosemite Valley as called for in the Yosemite Valley Plan.

The primary goal of scoping for a project is to determine the range of issues and alternatives to be addressed within a planning document. The most useful types of scoping comments consider:

• Alternative approaches and ideas for accomplishing the project
  
• The range of environmental and socioeconomic issues that need to be considered
  
• Other potential projects that might affect or be affected by the project
  
• Information that needs to be considered (such as related research) and why
  
• Information on how you use the park and how a project might affect that use

Comments must be submitted in writing by the closing dates outlined on above. Be sure to specify the name of the project to which your comments are directed.

MAIL: Superintendent
Attn: {Specify name of project}
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389

FAX: 209/379-1294

EMAIL: Yose_Planning@nps.gov

More information regarding these and other Yosemite National Park improvement projects will be regularly updated on the park's web site at www.nps.gov/yose/planning. You can also request this information by contacting the park by mail, fax, or email (see above).

In the months to come, we will continue conducting open houses in Yosemite National Park. The next event is scheduled for October 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center's East Auditorium. If you are unable to attend this open house, watch for future dates in the next Planning Update newsletter or regularly check the park's web site at www.nps.gov/yose/planning.

Each of you has a unique perspective and can make an important contribution to the planning process. Your participation helps the National Park Service produce better planning documents and we value your involvement.