Yellowstone News: Facilities - Enviro. Assesment

Scoping for Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center Environmental Assessment Underway
NPS 2-03-00

Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Michael V. Finley announced today that the park is soliciting comments on the issues and alternatives to be considered in an environmental assessment (EA) for construction of the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center, a curatorial storage facility that will consolidate Yellowstone's museum and archival collections, research library, historic vehicles, and herbarium into one facility.

Yellowstone's museum, research library, and archival collections are among the finest in the National Park Service and have gained a national and international reputation for the critical role they play in documenting the national park movement, the park's history, and the condition of its natural and cultural resources. Collections include many rare, one-of-a-kind, and irreplaceable objects.

Currently, these important resources are located in several facilities that do not allow for the proper care and expansion of the collection. The facilities lack space, environmental controls, security and fire protection, and do not meet federal guidelines for collections management. Additionally, the facilities are inadequate to meet the public and park's need for access to collections.

The National Park Service is considering several facility site locations within park boundaries and within or adjacent to existing developed areas. One proposed site is located at the northern park boundary (on park land) adjacent to the Gardiner School. Another proposed site is located along the esplanade in the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District.

To assist the National Park Service with the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center project, you are invited to comment on the issues and identify alternatives or other concerns that need to be considered in this process. Please send your comments by July 17, 2000, to: Planning Office, Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center Project, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.