Apparently trees grow over 130 years. Shocking news I know, but some of the most iconic views from pictures of Yosemite in the late 1800s are no longer possible thanks to tree growth in the intervening century.
To combat this, the National Park Service plans to do a bit of logging at 181 scenic vistas in the park. Accordingly, the Park Service has finished an environmental assessment that is available for public view (here) until September 17. They have said that the project won’t involve cutting down centuries old trees. So, hopefully nothing too historic will be lost.
Aside from opening up a bunch of views in the park, the project will hopefully help to ease congestion as it spreads visitors over a wider range of vistas. For example, two years ago the Park Service selectively cut down 3 trees at the famous Tunnel View. Now instead of standing in a very narrow channel to take in the view, there’s an actual overlook that allows quite a few more people to take in the sights.
The project will take several years however. There is no current estimate of the costs, but it may reach into the millions.
-Via The Tribune
