What steps are involved in park planning?
For each project, the planning process takes a course that leads it to becoming either a Categorical Exclusion (CE) document, an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Initial public outreach and internal scoping are early steps in the planning process to get general ideas and concepts out on the table for discussion. Internal scoping is an opportunity for National Park Service staff to comment on a particular project or planning effort, and decide what should be analyzed in a NEPA document.
Public scoping is the next step in the planning process in which the public and other agencies are invited to submit comments related to the project. This is a great opportunity to get your ideas and voices heard during the planning process.
Alternatives are developed following the comment processes, along with a Public Comment and Response Report which all become publicly available with the environmental document.
The environmental document, either the EA or EIS will then be available for public review following its publication and completion. Based on comments received during the document review, park managers and compliance employees will determine the need for re-assessment on specifics, alternatives, or other actions.
A finalized planning document is then created and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) package is presented to the park superintendent and regional director for their signatures. This package includes any technical corrections, public comments and responses on the document, and the overall statement of the alternative chosen. Once signed the plan is then finalized.
One of the documents utilized throughout the planning process in Yosemite Valley is:
Similar design guidelines will be developed for other districts within the park.