ansel adams gallery complex rehabilitation

135 Pages·2014·6.38 MB·English

Yosemite National Park (cid:129) National Park Service (cid:129) U.S. Department of the Interior
A A G C
NSEL DAMS ALLERY OMPLEX
R
EHABILITATION
_______________________________________________________
E A
NVIRONMENTAL SSESSMENT
A 2014
PRIL

Ansel Adams Gallery Complex Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment

Yosemite National Park
National Park Service

ABSTRACT

The Ansel Adams Gallery complex, originally known as Best’s Studio, comprises four buildings
and their associated landscape located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. The Gallery is
historically significant for its association with the internationally acclaimed photographer and
conservationist, Ansel Easton Adams. Built by Harry and Anne Best beginning in 1925, these
buildings became the place where Ansel Adams initially pursued photography and developed his
most famous photographs. The Gallery later became known as his photographic workshop for
visitors, today, this historic tradition continues. The concessioner-operated Ansel Adams Gallery
comprises a complex of four historic buildings located near the middle of Yosemite Village, and is
listed in the National Register of Historic Places as contributing to the Yosemite Village Historic
District and the Yosemite Valley Historic District.

After over 90 years of continuous operation and occupation, the Ansel Adams Gallery buildings
are in need of major repair and rehabilitation to provide adequate structural stability and
maintainable building conditions. National Park Service policy calls for necessary improvements
in fire protection, seismic safety, and accessibility to continue commercial and residential service.
Aging and failing mechanical, electrical, and sewer systems are in need of replacement or
updating. Site drainage needs to be corrected to prevent continued deterioration of exterior and
interior building components and foundations. Rehabilitation work is needed to preserve and
protect the historic integrity and character of the complex.

This document analyzes four alternatives for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ansel
Adams Gallery complex for public review and comment, in accordance with the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. The No
Action Alternative represents continuing the existing operation and management of the Ansel
Adams Gallery. The three action alternatives represent a reasonable range of options to satisfy the
purpose of and need for the project.

Following the release of this environmental assessment, there will be a 30-day public comment
period. Please refer to the project website for the review and comment period and Yosemite
National Park open house dates, and to submit comments electronically:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/AnselAdamsEA.

Comments postmarked within the 30-day comment period can also be submitted to:

Mail: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389
Fax: [phone] Attn: Ansel Adams Gallery Complex Rehabilitation

To request a printed copy of this environmental assessment (available in limited number), please
email: [email protected].

Yo semite National Park • National Park Service • U.S. Department of the Interior

A A G C
NSEL DAMS ALLERY OMPLEX
R
EHABILITATION

_______________________________________________________

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
APRIL 2014

CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... v
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... v
PURPOSE AND NEED .................................................................................................................. v
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS ............................................................................................. vi
OVERVIEW OF THE ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................................... vi
Alternative 1: The No Action Alternative ........................................................................... vi
Alternative 2: Conservation ................................................................................................. vi
Alternative 3: Building Performance .................................................................................. vii
Alternative 4: Balanced Rehabilitation (Preferred) ............................................................ vii
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ................................................................................................... vii
ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVE .................................................................. vii
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION PROCESS .................................................................. viii
CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................. 1-1
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1-1
BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................... 1-1
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT .......................................................................... 1-4
Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 1-4
Need .................................................................................................................................... 1-5
REGULATIONS AND POLICIES ................................................................................................ 1-5
APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS ................................................................................. 1-9
PUBLIC SCOPING PROCESS ................................................................................................... 1-10
Issues and Concerns Addressed in this Document .......................................................... 1-11
Impact Topics .................................................................................................................... 1-11
Issues and Concerns Not Addressed in this Document ................................................... 1-11
CHAPTER 2: ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................................... 2-1
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................. 2-1
Alternative 1: The No Action Alternative ......................................................................... 2-1
Components Common to All Action Alternatives ............................................................ 2-7
Alternative 2: Conservation ............................................................................................. 2-10
Alternative 3: Building Performance ............................................................................... 2-11
Alternative 4: Balanced Rehabilitation (Preferred) ........................................................ 2-14
ACTIONS CONSIDERED BUT DISMISSED .............................................................................. 2-23
IDENTIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE .......................................................... 2-23
COMPARISON OF THE ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................ 2-24
ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVE .............................................................. 2-27
CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ...... 3-1
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 3-1
Organization of this Chapter ............................................................................................. 3-1
Methods for Analyzing Environmental Consequences .................................................... 3-1
Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences .............................................. 3-1
Impact Analysis Methodology ........................................................................................... 3-1
Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................ 3-4
Impact Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................. 3-6
HISTORIC PROPERTIES ............................................................................................................ 3-6
Historic Sites, Buildings, and Landscapes .......................................................................... 3-6
Archeological Resources .................................................................................................. 3-29
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CONTENTS
American Indian Traditional Cultural Resources ............................................................ 3-37
WILDLIFE ............................................................................................................................... 3-39
Affected Environment...................................................................................................... 3-39
Environmental Consequences – Methodology ............................................................... 3-43
Environmental Consequences of Alternative 1 - No Action Alternative ....................... 3-45
Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................................... 3-45
Environmental Consequences of Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 .............................................. 3-46
VISITOR EXPERIENCE ............................................................................................................ 3-46
Affected Environment...................................................................................................... 3-46
Environmental Consequences – Methodology ............................................................... 3-48
Environmental Consequences of Alternative 1 - No Action Alternative ....................... 3-48
Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................................... 3-49
Environmental Consequences of Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 .............................................. 3-49
Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................................... 3-49
PARK OPERATIONS .............................................................................................................. 3-49
Affected Environment...................................................................................................... 3-49
Environmental Consequences – Methodology ............................................................... 3-52
Environmental Consequences of Alternative 1 - No Action Alternative ....................... 3-53
Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................................... 3-53
Environmental Consequences of Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 .............................................. 3-53
Cumulative Impacts .......................................................................................................... 3-53
CHAPTER 4: CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ..................................................... 4-1
PROJECT SCOPING HISTORY .................................................................................................. 4-1
Agency Consultation .......................................................................................................... 4-1
Future Information ............................................................................................................ 4-3
CHAPTER 5: LIST OF PREPARERS .................................................................................. 5-1
CHAPTER 6: GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS ................................................................... 6-1
GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................. 6-1
ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................ 6-5
CHAPTER 7: BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................... 7-1
APPENDIX A: CUMULATIVE PROJECTS ........................................................................ A-1

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Contents
List of Tables

Table 2-1. Description of the No Action and Action Alternatives. ....................................... 2-17
Table 2-2. Actions Considered but Dismissed. ........................................................................ 2-23
Table 2-3. Summary Comparison of Impacts for the No Action and Action Alternatives ... 2-25
Table 3-1. Summary of National Register Listings of the Ansel Adams Gallery ..................... 3-8
Table 3-2. Special-status Wildlife Species Potentially Occurring in Yosemite Valley ........... 3-41

List of Figures

Figure 1-1. Regional location, Ansel Adams Gallery complex, Yosemite National Park ........ 1-2
Figure 1-2. Detailed map of Ansel Adams Gallery complex .................................................... 1-3
Figure 3-1. Area of potential effects for the Ansel Adams Gallery complex rehabilitation
project ..................................................................................................................... 3-5
Figure 3-2. Archeological survey area of Ansel Adams Gallery site ...................................... 3-31

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