New Threat to Yosemite

Editorial
San Francisco Chronicle, April 9, 2001

An ambitious, $441 million plan to restore and manage Yosemite National Park is under challenge by two California Republican congressmen who want to reopen the laborious hearing process for further tinkering.

It took two decades of indecision, debate and controversy to finally come up with an acceptable blueprint for Yosemite Valley's future. To delay implementation now would be a serious mistake that could halt the project for years.

However, Reps. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and John Doolittle, R-Rocklin -- whose districts include the 1,169-square-mile park -- want the Yosemite Valley Plan reconsidered for major changes.

Radanovich argues that it is too expensive, reduces too many public services and fails to give proper consideration to the economies of gateway communities.

Doolittle objects to cuts in parking, accommodations and recreation facilities. But he is especially peeved that the "Clinton administration force-fed this plan to the people of this country."

While there is room for disagreement in the six-volume plan, there also has been plenty of time over many years for opponents to air their gripes and offer alternative ideas. The process was long, tedious and often acrimonious, but there was no force-feeding.

If the plan is not perfect -- and it isn’t -- it is the best the National Park Service could come up with after years of study, discussion and public hearings.

A New Year’s flood of the Merced River in 1997 swept Yosemite Valley, destroying most of the structures unwisely built on the river’s flood plain. But it was a blessing in disguise, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore the magnificent valley and establish new rules for construction, traffic and visitors.

Not since 1890, when Yosemite became a national park, has there been such an opportune moment to correct mistakes, protect Yosemite's ecology and restore a priceless national treasure for future generations.

Among the main features of the plan are: reduced parking spaces and lodging accommodations; restoration of the Merced River habitat, relocation of buildings outside the park and increased shuttle-bus service.

The plan tries to balance the dual missions of protecting Yosemite while making it as available as possible to the public.

The park service has $106 million already provided by Congress to finance the plan’s first stages. That money would be frozen if the plan is delayed.
Moves by Radanovich and Doolittle to reopen the Yosemite debate are a disservice to the park, visitors and those seeking to preserve its natural grandeur for posterity.