November 6, 2007 2005 Merced River Plan: Status of Appeal El Portal Market Contract Available in Yosemite National Park The current concession contract covering the El Portal Market will expire on December 31, 2007, and Mr. Carter plans to enjoy retirement with his family. In the interest of continuing the "old time" grocery and general merchandise services that the Market has traditionally provided, the National Park Service is issuing a prospectus to recruit a new operator under a new concession contract. The term of the new concession contract will be six years. It was released on October 19, 2007 for a 60-day response period with proposals due by December 18, 2007. The prospectus is available for review on the Internet at https://concessions.nps.gov/news.cfm. Project and Planning Updates Hodgdon Meadow Trailer Replacement Project: Construction is anticipated from November 2007 to October 2008. Public review and comment period on the Environmental Assessment was held from July 16 until August 15, 2007. Comments are posted at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/hodgdon.htm. A Finding of No Significant Impact was signed on September 7, 2007. Tunnel View Overlook Rehabilitation: The public comment and review period on the Environmental Assessment took place from October 3 through November 2, 2007. These comments are currently being reviewed and analyzed, and the document updated accordingly. Public scoping was held from June 4 until July 9, 2007. Scoping comments are posted at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/tunnelview.htm Environmental Education Campus: Park staff are wrapping up this season's resource surveys that will provide more detailed site information for Henness Ridge. Yosemite Institute and park staff have conducted meetings to select a new design contractor that will develop design concepts for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified campus. A new environmental analysis consulting firm has also been selected, and will begin compiling this information for a draft environmental impact statement, with public review anticipated for spring 2008. Public scoping was completed in November 2002. These scoping comments and additional data collection at Crane Flat informed the park's decision to broaden the range of alternatives to include the Henness Ridge location. More information about the project is available at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/eecampus.htm, or at our monthly Open Houses. Hetch Hetchy Communications System Upgrade: The public comment and review period on the Environmental Assessment/Initial Study took place from October 2 through November 2, 2007. These comments are currently being reviewed and analyzed for response, as appropriate. Public and internal scoping was held in spring 2006. Scoping comments are posted at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/hetchyproject.htm Glacier Point Road Rehabilitation: A Finding of No Significant Impact has just been signed for the much-needed rehabilitation of Glacier Point Road. The winding Glacier Point Road leads visitors from Chinquapin intersection at Wawona Road to popular destinations such as Badger Pass ski area, Taft Point, and Glacier Point, with spectacular views of the Yosemite Valley floor and the Sierra Nevada. Glacier Point Road was designed and constructed in 1932, and has recently been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This project, scheduled to begin in spring 2008, will include traffic safety improvements at Chinquapin intersection, viewing area improvements at El Portal overlook, culvert repair, and rock work along the first 5 miles of Glacier Point Road, to and including the Badger Pass parking lot. The public review and comment period for the environmental assessment occurred from June 27-July 29, 2007. Parkwide Comprehensive Transportation Plan/EIS: Public scoping anticipated after the holidays, in early 2008. Tuolumne River Plan/Tuolumne Meadows Plan Yosemite National Park to host a User Capacity Symposium Construction Updates Wawona Tunnel: Wawona Tunnel repair starts the week of November 13 and will continue through April 1, 2008. One lane traffic control will occur at night; hours have not yet been set. Fire Information (as of November 4, 2007) Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire, has information about fire activity and smoke effects in Yosemite. CORRECTION: Planning Update Newsletter |
Last updated: March 1, 2015