Curry Village Rockfall Hazard Zone Structures - Environmental Assessment

In 2008, Yosemite National Park permanently closed visitor accommodations in Curry Village following rockfall events. Built in the 1920s, rustic hard-sided cabins with bath and cabins without bath make up the majority of the 72 structures remaining 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 EA evaluates the environmental impacts of the No Action Alternative (keeping the rockfall zone closed to use; no action to treat historic structures) and four action alternatives. The action alternatives include:

Alternative 1 – Remove All Structures

Alternative 2 – Retain the Majority of Historic Structures

Alternative 3 – Retain Most Historically Significant Structures and Representatives of Architectural Types

Alternative 4 – Retain Structures with Structural and Historic Integrity.

The National Park Service identified Alternative 1 - Remove All Structures as the Preferred Alternative as it would maximize safety for park visitors and employees and eliminate the need for administrative access to the closed area. This alternative would entail documentation of the historic structures, salvage of historic materials for reuse, removal of all structures remaining in the rockfall zone, installation of interpretative materials, and allowing the area to return to its natural state. The comment period for the EA was open from August 8 through September 9, 2011.

Document Content:

Letter from Superintendent   (554.0 KB, PDF file) Environmental Assessment   (7.5 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 Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems.