Electronic Newsletter, July 22, 2011

Available for Public Comment:
The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan Environmental Assessment
The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) is currently available for public review and comment through August 23, 2011. The EA analyzes alternatives for a phased, long-term, comprehensive rehabilitation program for The Ahwahnee National Historic Landmark hotel and associated structures.

A digital copy of the EA is available on the National Park Service's Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/AhwahneeRehab. We encourage you to submit comments through the PEPC website. You may also submit comments postmarked by August 23, 2011 to: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attn: The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan, PO Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389.

We invite you to discuss the plan with us at the park's monthly open house on July 27, 2011, at the Valley Visitor Center Auditorium in Yosemite Valley from 1 to 4 pm. Printed and CD copies of the plan will be available at the open house.

Open House July 27
Join park staff on July 27, 2011, for Yosemite National Park's monthly open house. The open house will feature informational posters, fact sheets, an opportunity to interact with park staff, and an update on current plans and projects. In addition to The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan, park staff will be on hand to discuss the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan, the Ansel Adams Gallery Rehabilitation Plan, the Tioga Road Rehabilitation Plan, and other ongoing planning efforts.

Presentations will begin at 2 pm and will last approximately one hour. The presentations will feature:

• The Half Dome Permit System
• The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan
• Ansel Adams Gallery Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan
• Fire Management

In addition to presentations there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The presentations will be available online via webinar at yose.webex.com.

The open house is from 1 to 4 pm in the Valley Visitor Center. Park entrance fees are waived for attendees.

Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation Plan Finding of No Significant Impact
In May/June 2010, the park released an environmental assessment analyzing the No Action Alternative and four action alternatives for the rehabilitation of the Badger Pass Ski Lodge. On June 30, 2011, the National Park Service signed a Finding of No Significant Impact identifying Alternative 3 (Rehabilitation and Improvements) as analyzed in the environmental assessment, as the Selected Action.

To download a copy of the decision document and environmental assessment, visit the project webpage at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/badgerlodge.htm. Or send a written request to:Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attn: Badger Pass Ski Lodge , P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, or Fax: [phone]