Floodplain Statement of Findings

Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management, and EO 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input, require the National Park Service (NPS) and other federal agencies to evaluate the likely impacts of actions in floodplains. The objective of EO 11988 is to avoid, to the extent possible, the long-term and short-term adverse impacts associated with occupancy, modification, or destruction of floodplains and to avoid indirect support of development and new construction in such areas wherever there is a practicable alternative. EO 13690 was issued to establish a Flood Risk Management Standard for federally funded projects to improve the nation's resilience to floods and to ensure new federal infrastructure will last as long as intended. The NPS administers floodplain policy through Director's Order 77-2: Floodplain Management (DO 77-2) and Procedural Manual 77-2 Floodplain Management (PM 77-2). NPS also complies with departmental guidance outlined in 520 DM 1, Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection Policy and Responsibilities, and 520 DM 1, Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection Program Requirements.

It is NPS policy to preserve floodplain functions and values and minimize potentially hazardous conditions associated with flooding, including threats to human health/life, risk to NPS capital investment, and impacts on natural and beneficial floodplain values. If a proposed action is found to be in an applicable regulatory floodplain with associated impacts and relocating the action to a non-floodplain site is considered not to be a practicable alternative, then a formal Floodplain Statement of Findings (FSOF) must be prepared (unless excepted per NPS policy). The FSOF must (a) quantify flood conditions and associated hazards as a basis for management decision making, (b) describe the rationale for selection of a floodplain site, (c) disclose the resources and amount of risk associated with the chosen site, and (d) explain flood mitigation plans. The FSOF will be available for public review and comment in coordination with NEPA and other compliance procedures, as applicable. If public review is not provided through the NEPA process (e.g. environmental assessment), another opportunity for public review is necessary.

This Floodplain Statement of Findings:
• Quantifies the flood hazard associated with the installation of ten power poles, replacement of two existing power poles, installation of new risers on multiple structures, and installation of new service masts at nine residences.
• Presents the rationale for the development of proposed facilities within the regulatory floodplain of Yosemite Valley stables and stables concessioner housing.
• Documents the anticipated negative impacts of these improvements on human health/life, capital investment, and floodplain functions and values.
• Presents mitigations to these impacts.

Document Content:

20241028_FSOF_YHValleyStablesElectric_118446.pdf   (1.2 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.