Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan - FONSI, and Public Comment and Response Report

This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) documents the decision of the National Park Service at Yosemite National Park to maintain the Half Dome cables and manage daily use of the Half Dome Trail to a target of 300 hikers per day. The Selected Action improves conditions for public safety while providing a range of wilderness experiences. An environmental assessment analyzing alternatives for a long-term plan for this trail was available for public review and comment January to March 2012. To view the environmental assessment, see the separate posting in PEPC by clicking on the "Document List" on the lefthand side of the screen.

The Selected Action is generally the same as described for the Preferred Alternative (Alternative C - 300 People Per Day) in the environmental assessment. Under the Selected Action, the NPS will retain the cable system and implement day-use limits through a permit system managing to a target of 300 hikers per day on the Half Dome Trail. Day-use permits will be distributed through a combination of an advanced and day-before permit allocation system. A percentage of permits will be allocated to wilderness permit-holders and commercial operators. In response to public comment, the NPS has adjusted the allocation of commercial use permits to respond to changes in use patterns, implementation of new technologies, and to meet the guidelines of the Determination of Extent Necessary (DEN) for commercial use in wilderness.

The final decision package (file posted below) consists of the following:
-Finding of No Significant Impact
-Errata Sheets to the Environmental Assessment
-Public Comment and Response Report

Implementation of the project will begin through the permit reservation system for the 2013 season. For more information about the permit reservation process, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm.

Document Content:

Half Dome FONSI, Errata Sheets, and Public Comment Response Report   (1.1 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.