Bechler Improvement Plan Approved

Date: July 7, 2014

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2014              14-043    

Al Nash or Dan Hottle
[phone]
[e-mail]

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Bechler Improvement Plan Approved

A plan to help guide future improvements for the Bechler Administrative Area of Yellowstone National Park has been approved.

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that addresses day use and overnight parking, circulation, employee housing, and utility upgrades was signed by Sue Masica, the Director of the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service, on July 2, 2014. The Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzed three alternatives was released for public comment May 5, 2013.

The Bechler Administrative Area Plan examined long-time needs for the area that included maintaining acceptable standards and levels of visitor and employee services. The NPS has decided to remove the proposed telecommunications tower from the scope of the project at this time. When specific designs are completed and funding secured, additional compliance in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) will be undertaken specific to the telecommunications infrastructure.

Among the highlights of the approved alternative:

• Designating parking areas for day-use, overnight, stock use and employees.
• Developing appropriate vehicle and pedestrian circulation patterns that provide easy access to trails, historic districts and the visitor contact station.
• Provide adequate housing and utilities accommodating up to eight park employees, including one family unit.

Copies of the EA and the FONSI can be found on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BechlerEA.

- www.nps.gov/yell -

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