Finding of No Significant Impact, Strentzel-Muir Gravesite Plan

October 23, 2017

Dear Stakeholder:

John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) has completed planning for the Strentzel-Muir Gravesite in Martinez, California and is releasing the Finding of No Significant Impact, which documents the Selected Alternative and final decision.

I am pleased that we have completed our planning process and are now able to provide an opportunity for the public to visit and pay respects at Muir's final resting place. It has been a long time coming and the plan outlines the way we can be respectful of the setting and still allow this great opportunity.

John Muir NHS staff initiated planning for the Strentzel-Muir Gravesite Plan in spring 2013, and developed a range of alternatives following a public alternatives development workshop in 2014. In 2015, an Environmental Assessment was submitted for public review and then an amended Environmental Assessment came out in June of 2016. This Finding of No Significant Impact is the result of comment analysis and review of potential impacts.

Although funding to fully implement the actions in the plan has not been secured, the park will begin providing limited access starting after December 1, 2017. Permanent site improvements, including fencing, paths and a parking area for the shuttle will be completed as funding becomes available. In the meantime, temporary facilities such as wheelchair accessible mats and perimeter fencing will be installed to accommodate visitation in the interim. Until permanent facilities can be completed, pedestrian and bicycle access will not be permitted. The park will monitor the activity at the gravesite, as detailed in the plan, to document changes and minimize conflicts in the neighborhood. As outlined in the plan, private vehicles will not be allowed to park at the gravesite, but shuttles will provide access at selected times during the week and during the twelve open days per year specified in the plan. The site will be closed at other times.

If you have questions or need information on tour times or hours, please visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/jomu or come into the visitor center during normal business hours - 10:00 to 5:00, seven days a week. If you have specific questions about the planning process or the final decision, please contact the park superintendent at jomu_superintendent@nps.gov or 925-228-8860 x6301.

Sincerely,

Tom Leatherman
Superintendent

Document Content:

Signed Strenzel Muir Gravesite FONSI 09192017.pdf   (4.1 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.