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VI. Consultation and CoordinationCompliance HistoryEnvironmental laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of resources did not exist when the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge was constructed in 1921. An overview of environmental compliance documents completed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act that relate to Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge are presented below, in chronological order: ·
The Merced Wild and Scenic
River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan)
applies seven management elements to prescribe desired future
conditions, typical visitor activities and experiences, and park
facilities and management activities allowed in the river corridor. The
Merced River Plan applies to any project that is within the Wild and
Scenic River boundary, or would affect the Outstandingly Remarkable
Values or free-flowing condition of the river. Although the Merced River
Plan did not specifically call for the removal of the Happy Isles
Gauging Station Bridge, the zoning designations in the plan allow for
such an action. · The National Park Service recently developed the Yosemite Valley Plan to implement the goals of the 1980 General Management Plan in Yosemite Valley. The Yosemite Valley Plan is designed to meet the resource preservation and visitor experience goals in Yosemite Valley, and calls out specific actions to meet these goals. Among the actions identified in the Yosemite Valley Plan is the replacement of the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge. Scoping HistoryOn April 9,
2001, the Yosemite National Park Superintendent mailed a letter
announcing the beginning of the planning process for removal of the
Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge. This letter was sent to over 6,200 individuals
and organizations on the park’s planning mailing list, and was posted
on the park’s web site. The letter also detailed the time, location,
and purpose of an on-site public meeting at the bridge. The purpose of the planning process is to identify alternatives for the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge Removal Project. During the planning process, alternatives have been developed that address bridge removal and compliance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, as amended (16 United States Code [USC] 1274[d]). Through scoping and the public comment review process on the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge Removal Project Environmental Assessment, the planning process is being conducted in consultation with affected federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal groups, and interested organizations and individuals. On-Site Public MeetingOn April 18,
2001, the National Park Service held an on-site public meeting at the
Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge to discuss its potential removal. The
purpose of the meeting was to: (1) provide participants with an
overview of existing conditions and the proposed action; (2) ask
participants to identify key issues that should be analyzed during the
environmental review and compliance process; and (3) provide an
opportunity for participants to ask questions regarding project
alternatives and the overall environmental review and compliance
process. Comments were received until April 27, 2001. Results of ScopingAs a result of the scoping effort, 60 responses were elicited (see “Issues and Concerns” in Chapter I for a summary of the issues raised). All comments received in response to the scoping notices have been duly considered and will remain in the project record throughout this planning process. A summary and full report on the analysis of the public scoping comments are available to the public and can be obtained via the contact information provided at the end of this chapter. Public Comment PeriodMedia announcements initiate the beginning of a formal public comment period on the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge Removal Project Environmental Assessment. All interested agencies, groups, and individuals are invited to review the document and submit comments during the 30-day public comment period. CoordinationU.S. Army Corps of EngineersThe U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers issued a verification letter to the National Park
Service on August 16, 1999 granting the use of
Nationwide Permit Number 13 for the Happy Isles Gauging Station
Bridge Project (Project Number 199900464) with two provisions. The first
provision is that the National Park Service obtain a water quality
waiver from the State Regional Water Quality Control Board. The second
provision is that the National Park Service comply with the terms and
conditions of the Nationwide Permit. The verification letter is valid
for a period of two years from the date of the letter (August 16, 2001),
or until the permit is modified or expires, whichever comes first.
Nationwide Permit Number 13 is scheduled to expire on February 11, 2002.
The National Park Service is currently consulting with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers to request an extension for the use of this permit,
and to comply with permit conditions. A copy of the verification letter
is on file at Yosemite National Park. Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control BoardPursuant to Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean
Water Act, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
issued a waiver for the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge Removal Project on September 3,
1999. The National Park Service is currently consulting with the
Regional Water Quality Control Board to ensure that the waiver is still
valid. A copy of the waste discharge waiver is on file at Yosemite
National Park. Federal Highway AdministrationThe Federal Highway Administration examined the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge (Federal Highway Administration Structure No. 8800-037S) on three occasions since the January 1997 flood, including on June 22 and 23, 1997, June 1998, and August 2000. In 1997, the Federal Highway Administration determined that the bridge was in poor condition due severe scour, full-length undermining of the bridge, and loss of support of the river-left abutment, all of which were attributed to the January 1997 flood. The Federal Highway Administration indicated that total collapse of the river-left side of the structure is imminent. Since 1997, the bridge has continued to deteriorate and shows signs of imminent failure, with a large sinkhole appearing on the river-left abutment. The administration’s evaluations in 1998 and 2001 indicated that the bridge was in critical condition, and that the undermining of the river-left abutment and subsequent settlement had rendered the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge unsafe. The administration recommended replacement of the bridge. The Federal Highway Administration determinations on the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge are on file at Yosemite National Park. U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 et seq.), requires all federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by the agency does not jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or critical habitat. The National Park Service has provided U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with updated project information and will continue to coordinate with the agency on the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge Removal Project. Consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was also recently completed in relation to the Merced River Plan and Yosemite Valley Plan. In both cases, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded the proposed actions were unlikely to affect special-status species. California State Historic Preservation OfficerThe Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge has been the subject of previous evaluation and mitigation actions. Based on a cultural resources inventory of Yosemite National Park, completed in 1994, the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge is a contributing feature of the Yosemite Valley Cultural Landscape, eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1991, the bridge was documented to Historic American Engineering Record standards, which included historical and descriptive data, measured drawings, and archival photographs. In accordance with the protocols agreed upon by Yosemite National Park and the State Historic Preservation Officer on March 20, 1997, the current level of documentation for the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge was determined sufficient. In addition to
compliance with the stipulations of the 1997 agreement, removal of the
bridge would comply with the requirements in Appendix E (Adverse
Effects and Standard Mitigation Measures for Historical Properties) of
the Yosemite Valley Plan.
These requirements are included in the 1999 Programmatic Agreement
between the National Park Service, the State Historic Preservation
Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for the
“Resolution of Adverse Effects” associated with planning,
construction, operations, and maintenance activities within Yosemite.
One stipulation for removal of the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge
remains—getting the State Historic Preservation Officer to consent to
the removal of the bridge. This stipulation, to coordinate Section 106
(Section 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800) consultation with
the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation, is required under the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966. The National Park Service will request
consensus from the agencies upon completion of the environmental
assessment. Future InformationUpdated information about various aspects of the Happy Isles Gauging Station Bridge Removal Project will be periodically distributed via newsletters, mailings, the Yosemite National Park web site (www.nps.gov/yose/planning), and regional and local news media. To request placement on the mailing list, leave a name and address on the voice mail at 209-372-0261. Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies may also respond to:
Superintendent, Yosemite National Park or fax comments to: |
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