Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: November 14, 2000

Contact: John Wright 202/208-4396
Scott Gediman 209/372-0248

Interior Secretary Babbitt Announces Plan
to Restore Yosemite Valley

The final plan will return Yosemite Valley to a place of
breathtaking beauty and improve the visitor experience

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt accompanied by Superintendent of Yosemite National Park, David Milhalic, announced the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/ Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement at a ceremony today in Yosemite National Park.

"After eight years of intensive work and tremendous input from the local communities, I am pleased to announce a plan that restores Yosemite's breathtaking beauty and provides balance," said Babbitt. "This plan will conserve the natural and cultural resources of Yosemite National Park, while providing easy access and improving the quality of our visitor experience."

The final plan is based on the broad goals of the1980 General Management Plan. The plan provides a framework to restore degraded areas and reduce development within the Merced River ecosystem. It will also reduce gridlock and automobile congestion by relocating parking to areas outside of Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite National Park Superintendent David Mihalic and park staff have facilitated public hearings and meetings throughout the country for the past several months to encourage public interest and input. During the public comment period the park received more than 10,000 comments regarding the draft plan.

"The Yosemite Valley Plan lays the groundwork for managing Yosemite Valley for future generations. With this landmark plan completed, we can focus on protecting the ecosystems in the park," Mihalic said.

The Final Yosemite Valley Plan has been modified from the draft that was released in March. The modified plan is based upon analysis of public comments and the guidelines of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Implementation of the plan will begin after a Record of Decision is signed in December and will be phased in over a 10-15 year period.

The Final Yosemite Valley Plan can be found on the park web page at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning.htm

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