Date: October 7, 2010
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announces the Tenaya Lake Area Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) will be available for public review from October 18 to November 17, 2010. The plan addresses a wide range of visitor experiences and facility improvements around this spectacular high-country lake. Thousands of visitors recreate in and around Tenaya Lake during the summer season when the Tioga Road is open.
The preferred alternative for the plan would provide a diverse range of visitor experiences within the Tenaya Lake area, including an accessible trail along the western edge of the lake between East Beach and Murphy Creek and within the East Beach and Sunrise Trailhead areas. Many existing trails located within ecologically and culturally sensitive areas would be removed and restored to natural conditions. This alternative includes 9.7 acres of ecological restoration within areas currently affected by visitor use, creation of volunteer trails, and stormwater erosion. The trail systems around the lake and north of Tioga Road would be realigned to avoid sensitive natural and cultural resources and support protection and restoration, and use of pedestrian bridges and boardwalks over waterways and wetland habitat would restore hydrological function of major waterways. Visitor parking capacity would total 215 spaces.
There are four other alternatives the public is asked to review, including a No Action alternative, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This alternative would continue current management of the Tenaya Lake area. Public scoping for the plan began on September 4, 2008 and concluded on October 18, 2008.
There will be a formal presentation at the regularly scheduled Open House in Yosemite Valley on October 27, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each of the alternatives will be described in detail and the public will be provided an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the plan. The Open House will occur behind the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center in the Auditorium.
During the public review period, the EA will be available electronically on the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkID=347. The public can request hardcopies or CDs of the EA by email.
