Comment on Planning

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Author: Brad Thomas
Date: 04-28-01 14:53

I have just reviewed the Sierra Clubs proposals for the Yosemite
Valley and while I aggree with the some of their proposals I really
must question their apparent desire to make Yosemite (as well as all
National Parks) unavailable to the majority of US citizens. There is a
very difficult problem facing the National Park Service, interpreting
the meaning of the charter they function under. How to preserve Nature
and make it available to the average citizen at the same time. The
Sierra Club seems to feel that the proper solution is to close off all
access to everyone who can't spend a week or more backpacking into a
National Park to take a few pictures and then Backpack back out.
Certainly, allowing commercial developement in a National Park is in
most cases, not going to be beneficial to the ecosystem or the Park
itself, but, to refuse to alow the restoration of existing campsites,
hotels, etc. because it is convienint to use a natural disaster as an
excuse, is simply trying to obstruct the access of the handicaped and
elderly, to name a few, from their right to visit these parks in a
timely fashion. Yes the National Parks are not Theme Parks, but there
must be a more balanced solution to this issue.

- Brad Thomas
halfdome at hotmail dot com

[mark]

Feds' plan for protecting Yosemite river falls short, court rules
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer

[Copyrighted material deleted by moderator]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... KVRII5.DTL
Court deals setback to Yosemite plan
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, March 28, 2008

[SteveH]

Given the recent court ruling that seems to nix park plans on YV and tonights PBS show on "modern" park management I would be greatly interested on other's thoughts on improving public access to the park and/or limiting it IOT preserve it. My thought's--limit it and preserve it in terms of limit vehicle access; limit campsite expansion; and preserve current backcountry access number controls as IMO that seems to be working. IMO

v/r
SteveH

[mark]

Steve,

Great idea to open a discussion. Camping could be greatly improved for a more natural experience while also expanding it, I believe, if the old campgrounds could be reopened. If done right, with some limiting of access to reduce impacts in ways that could upset some people. But, if we all have to take a number and wait our turn, the result could be worth the wait for us and future generations. Just my thoughts. Nature has a chance again, now that the park has agreed to start the process again. Pretty cool...