Park Seeks Public Comment on Yellowstone Youth Campus Plan

Yellowstone National Park is seeking public comment on a plan to reconstruct or relocate the Yellowstone Youth Campus.

According to a Yellowstone press release, officials have prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the Campus’ impact to soils, vegetation, wildlife, endangered species, student use, historic structures and visual resources. The plan, besides the reconstruct and relocation options, also includes a “no action alternative.” From the Yellowstone press release:

The National Park Service preferred alternative is to relocate and construct the campus at a location south of Mammoth Hot Springs. A portion of the preferred alternative’s location is on the site of the former Mammoth corrals, where Xanterra Parks and Resorts historically offered guided interpretive horseback rides during the summer.

The development would facilitate overnight stays for up to 140 students at a time.

The EA was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA also provides a summary of consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

You can view the EA and submit comments through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. Otherwise, Comments may be hand-delivered to the Albright Visitor Center during regular business hours with the following notice: “Attention: Yellowstone Youth Campus Environmental Assessment.” Comments may also be mailed to the following address:

Yellowstone National Park, Compliance Office
Attention: Yellowstone Youth Campus Environmental Assessment
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190

According to the press release, potential commenters should consider the following before submitting:

• The proposed project is an undertaking as outlined under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (36 CRF § 800). As such, we welcome comments about historic properties or other cultural resources that fall within the project area.
• Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.
• Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information, be aware that your entire comment – including your personally identifiable information – may be made public at any time. You may ask us to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.