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Yosemite plan seeks to protect scenic vistas

-- NPS

(Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 12:00 AM)

Yosemite National Park has released the Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment for public review. The purpose of the Scenic Vista Management Plan is to develop a systematic program to protect and restore Yosemite's important viewpoints, vistas, and the natural processes that created them. Public comments regarding the Environmental Assessment will be taken through Sept. 17.

The Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment can be downloaded at nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/vista.htm.

The plan will replace the park's current case-by-case approach and will enable and guide management actions by the National Park Service.

Yosemite has been involved in vista clearing since the 1850s on a case-by-case basis. This strategy has resulted in the loss of several famous scenic viewpoints. For example, two-thirds of the meadows in Yosemite Valley have been lost to unnatural conifer encroachment.

The Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment describes five alternative approaches for prioritizing and reestablishing scenic vistas.

The development of a framework for management actions will ensure that the natural and cultural resources and values of Yosemite National Park remain unimpaired. Specifically, the plan will outline replacement of current viewpoints with new viewpoints featuring similar perspectives, as well as describe which methods of vegetation clearing are appropriate.

Submit comments about the Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment to Superintendent, Attn: Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, fax, (209) 379-1294 or e-mail, Yose_Planning@nps.gov. Access PEPC (Planning, Environment, and Public Comment) on the web at: parkplanning.nps.gov/yose. Click on the "open for comments" link at the top of the page. Click on "Scenic Vista Management Plan Environmental Assessment" link and enter your comment.

To learn more about scenic vistas, visit nps.gov/yose/naturescience/scenic-vistas.htm.