Park Spill Comments Due Today by Mike Conway Modestoo Bee - September 7, 2000 Today is the deadline for people to submit letters that would allow them to speak before the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding the July 27 sewage spill from Yosemite National Park into the Merced River. A hearing on the spill is set in Sacramento next week. The state said the National Park Service has had "recurring spills" and blames it on inadequate planning and preparation. The park service could face a fine of $10,000 a day for further sewage spills. The hearing will be at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 15 at the board office, 3443 Routier Road, Suite A. People who apply in advance will be considered "interested parties" and get time before the board to provide evidence about the spill. Approximately 200,000 gallons of water and sewage flowed out of a manhole near the Yosemite wastewater treatment plant in El Portal. Scott Gediman, a park service spokesman, said the sewer line was clogged with rocks and debris. Portions of the Merced River near the spill site were closed to the public for several weeks. The line was rebuilt at the same time the highway entering the park was being reconstructed. The spill occurred when the line was being tested. Gediman said crews are investigating how the materials got into the sewer line. To comment on the case or provide evidence, interested parties must fax letters stating their intentions to (916) 255-3015, attention Janice Tanaka, or (559) 445-5910, attention Patricia Jones, by 5 p.m. today.