All the national parks have their hot-button issue; for Yosemite, it’s Yosemite Valley and the wild and scenic Merced River. Here’s the backstory. Heavy snowmelt in 1997 caused massive floods, turning the slow river into a torrent that surged through the low campgrounds of Yosemite Valley, uprooting trees, destroying bear lockers, sweeping away picnic tables, and washing out many roads. In the end, the floods destroyed half of the Valley’s 900 campsites. The 1987 declaration of the Merced River corridor as a Wild and Scenic River (which means that plans for the area have to be declared for preservation) has played an important role in the subsequent plans for redevelopment in the Yosemite Valley. In 2000, the NPS started working on a new development for the river corridor, but those plans were halted when several organizations filed lawsuits, declaring that development was too close to the river. In the end, the court ordered the NPS to develop completely new plans.
The NPS is beginning to develop a new plan now, and a series of public meetings will be held throughout July and August to garner public opinions. Below is a list of the dates and meeting locations. (All meetings will be held from 4pm to 8pm).
- Monday July 13, Fresno, REI 7810 N. Blackstone Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
- Thursday July 16, Oakhurst, Community Center 39800 Road 425 B, Oakhurst, CA 93644
- Wednesday July 22, Mariposa, Government Center 5100 Bullion St., Mariposa, CA 95338 (2nd Floor)
- Tuesday July 28, Mono Basin Visitor Center, Highway 395, Lee Vining, CA 93541
- Wednesday July 29, Yosemite Valley East Auditorium – Open House Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
- Thursday July 30, Groveland Community Hall Groveland, CA 95321
- Monday August 3, Pasadena Senior Center, 85 East Holy Street, Pasadena, CA 91103
- Thursday August 13, Foster City Recreation Wind Room – 2nd flr above the library Foster City Community Center 100 E. Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
- Tuesday August 18, Sacramento, Southside Clubhouse 2051 6th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Written comments will also be accepted and can be mailed to:
Superintendent
Attn: Merced River Plan
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
or faxed to (209) 379-1294.
Read more about the comprehensive management plan at National Parks Traveler and the Fresno Bee.
