Appendix A: Public Comment and Response Report Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Final Comprehensive Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement A-1 Appendix A: Public Comment and Response Report THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK A-2 Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Final Comprehensive Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Draft Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Public Comment and Response Report Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Final Comprehensive Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement A-3 Appendix A: Public Comment and Response Report Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................... A-7 Public Comment Analysis Methodology ..................................................................................................... A-7 Results of Public Comment Analysis ........................................................................................................... A-8 Using This Report ......................................................................................................................................... A-8 Public Concerns and Responses ................................................................................ A-9 Purpose and Need for the Plan ................................................................................................................... A-9 Planning Process ......................................................................................................................................... A-12 Tuolumne River Plan Document Organization ......................................................................................... A-14 Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................................... A-16 Major Planning Issues Addressed in the Tuolumne River Plan ............................................................... A-19 Issues that Will Not Be Addressed by the Tuolumne River Plan ............................................................. A-20 Legal Framework for the Tuolumne River Plan ........................................................................................ A-20 Interrelationships with Other Plans and Projects .................................................................................... A-24 Yosemite National Park General Management Plan ................................................................................. A-24 Merced River Plan ................................................................................................................................... A-25 Wilderness Management Plan ................................................................................................................ A-26 Outstandingly Remarkable Values ............................................................................................................ A-27 Biological Value: Subalpine Meadow/Riparian Complex .......................................................................... A-27 Biological Value: Proposed Management Actions .................................................................................... A-30 Biological Value Indicators/Monitoring Program ...................................................................................... A-32 Biological Value: Low-Elevation Riparian and Meadow Habitat ............................................................... A-33 Geologic Value: Stairstep River Morphology ........................................................................................... A-33 Cultural Values ....................................................................................................................................... A-34 Scenic Value: Scenery through Lyell Canyon, Dana and Tuolumne Meadows, and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne ................................................................................................................................. A-35 Recreational Value: Tioga Road Access to the River through Tuolumne and Dana Meadows ................... A-37 Recreational Value: Wilderness Experience along the River ...................................................................... A-38 River Value: Water Quality ...................................................................................................................... A-44 River Value: Free-Flowing Condition ....................................................................................................... A-48 No Action Alternative ................................................................................................................................ A-50 Action Alternatives .................................................................................................................................... A-52 Actions Common to All Action Alternatives ............................................................................................ A-52 Alternative 1 .......................................................................................................................................... A-56 Alternative 2 .......................................................................................................................................... A-58 Alternative 3 .......................................................................................................................................... A-59 Alternative 4 (NPS Preferred Alternative) ................................................................................................. A-61 Transportation ............................................................................................................................................ A-64 Shuttle Buses and Public Transit .............................................................................................................. A-64 Tuolumne Meadows Parking .................................................................................................................. A-69 Tioga Road ............................................................................................................................................. A-80 Bridges ........................................................................................................................................................ A-83 User Capacity .............................................................................................................................................. A-84 Management of User Capacity ............................................................................................................... A-88 Climate Change and Sustainability ........................................................................................................... A-95 General .................................................................................................................................................. A-95 Water Demand and Water Conservation at Tuolumne Meadows ............................................................ A-96 Recreational Opportunities/Visitor Access ............................................................................................. A-102 Commercial Services - General ............................................................................................................. A-102 Visitor Services - General ...................................................................................................................... A-104 Stock Use ............................................................................................................................................. A-108 A-4 Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Final Comprehensive Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement Appendix A: Public Comment and Response Report Stock Use at High Sierra Camps ..................................................................................................... A-108 Stock Use Corridorwide ................................................................................................................. A-110 Stock Use Capacities ...................................................................................................................... A-116 Concessioner Stock Day Rides ........................................................................................................ A-119 Commercial Outfitter Stock Use ..................................................................................................... A-124 Whitewater Boating ............................................................................................................................. A-125 High Sierra Camps .................................................................................................................................... A-133 High Sierra Camps - Retain ................................................................................................................... A-133 High Sierra Camps - Remove ................................................................................................................ A-143 Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp Services and Facilities .............................................................................. A-150 High Sierra Camps and the DEIS Impacts Analysis ................................................................................. A-157 Tuolumne Meadows Facilities