As presented by Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, on November 14, 2000, the long-awaited Yosemite Valley Plan is a $441 million blueprint to restore Yosemite Valley to a more natural state during the next two decades. With a backdrop of fresh snow covering the valley floor and walls, the plan was presented to the public and the national press. Park Superintendent David Mihalic opened the ceremony. "The Yosemite Valley Plan lays the groundwork for managing Yosemite Valley for future generations," Mihalic said. He then introduced Secretary Babbitt who spoke on his experiences with and love of Yosemite. Eight years in the making, this is truly a historic plan that you will be hearing more about in the future.

Each of the six volumes of the plan features a different Yosemite Valley photograph by Scot on the cover and a common photo of El Capitan and the valley on the back covers. A short profile of Scot is also featured on the front inside cover of the first volume. Images chosen for the covers by the National Park Service include a mirror image reflection of Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall in a clearing snowstorm and beautiful reflections in a flooded Leidig Meadow.

According to Scot, "I am very honored to have my photos chosen for the covers. This is a very important planning document that will be around for many years. It will be very interesting to see the proposed changes as they occur in Yosemite Valley and I look forward to being there to document them."