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Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures Project Environmental Assessment
Yosemite National Park » Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures Project Environmental Assessment » Document List
In 2008, Yosemite National Park permanently closed visitor accommodations in Curry Village following rockfall events. Seventy-two structures, the majority of which are historic, hard-sided cabins, remain in the closed rockfall hazard zone. The Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzed options for the future of the remaining closed structures. The EA was available for public review and comment from August 8 through September 9, 2011.
Built in the 1920s, rustic hard-sided cabins with bath and cabins without bath make up the majority of the structures in the closed rockfall hazard zone. Six other structures include the Foster Curry Cabin (Tresidder Residence), associated visitor support structures (e.g., restrooms, shower house), and two non-historic structures.
The purpose of this project is to:
-Mitigate inherent safety risks associated with unauthorized visitor access to the closed rockfall hazard zone.
-Address the potential for further loss of historically significant structures and/or features that contribute to the Yosemite Valley Historic District.
-Identify appropriate mitigation to resolve the potential adverse effect on the Yosemite Valley Historic District.
Public scoping for the plan occurred in Spring 2010. The park analyzed alternatives to address the future of the remaining structures, which ranged from the removal of all structures to retaining and maintaining structures until the comprehensive Merced River planning process is complete. For more details on the alternatives and the associated environmental impacts, please review the EA by clicking on the "Document List" link on the lefthand side of this screen.
A Finding of No Significant Impact was signed by the National Park Service on February 7, 2012. The Selected Action was presented as Alternative 1 in the environmental assessment (Remove All Structures). The Selected Action maximizes safety for park visitors and employees by removing all attractants from the active rockfall hazard zone and eliminating the need for administrative access to the site. Please review the decision document by clicking on the "Document List" on the lefthand side of the screen.
Implementation of the project will begin immediately through the initiation of the property disposal process. Pending the outcome of the disposition process and salvage of materials, the removal of structures is anticipated to begin in Fall 2012. Before removal occurs, the site and structures will be recorded through drawings and photographic and written documentation in addition to implementing other mitigations to address the removal of these structures.
Built in the 1920s, rustic hard-sided cabins with bath and cabins without bath make up the majority of the structures in the closed rockfall hazard zone. Six other structures include the Foster Curry Cabin (Tresidder Residence), associated visitor support structures (e.g., restrooms, shower house), and two non-historic structures.
The purpose of this project is to:
-Mitigate inherent safety risks associated with unauthorized visitor access to the closed rockfall hazard zone.
-Address the potential for further loss of historically significant structures and/or features that contribute to the Yosemite Valley Historic District.
-Identify appropriate mitigation to resolve the potential adverse effect on the Yosemite Valley Historic District.
Public scoping for the plan occurred in Spring 2010. The park analyzed alternatives to address the future of the remaining structures, which ranged from the removal of all structures to retaining and maintaining structures until the comprehensive Merced River planning process is complete. For more details on the alternatives and the associated environmental impacts, please review the EA by clicking on the "Document List" link on the lefthand side of this screen.
A Finding of No Significant Impact was signed by the National Park Service on February 7, 2012. The Selected Action was presented as Alternative 1 in the environmental assessment (Remove All Structures). The Selected Action maximizes safety for park visitors and employees by removing all attractants from the active rockfall hazard zone and eliminating the need for administrative access to the site. Please review the decision document by clicking on the "Document List" on the lefthand side of the screen.
Implementation of the project will begin immediately through the initiation of the property disposal process. Pending the outcome of the disposition process and salvage of materials, the removal of structures is anticipated to begin in Fall 2012. Before removal occurs, the site and structures will be recorded through drawings and photographic and written documentation in addition to implementing other mitigations to address the removal of these structures.