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by Melanie
Turner
The Modesto Bee, December 1, 2001
Yosemite National
Park planners Friday answered American Indians' concerns by proposing a new
site for restrooms at the base of Lower Yosemite Fall.
The suggested change came after members of the southern Mewuk Indian community told park planners last summer that the original site threatens a culturally sensitive area. A proposed new shuttle bus stop also interferes with the cultural site, they said.
The revised plan, part of an effort to enhance the view of Lower Yosemite Fall, puts the restrooms on the site of the existing shuttle bus stop and keeps the new shuttle bus stop where park planners originally wanted it
"That's half of what we wanted," said Bill Leonard, chairman of the Southern Sierra Mewuk Nation. "We'd like people out of that area."
Leonard said the Mewuk community has not had a chance to respond to the revised plan, but will meet Thursday to discuss it
Some elders recently explained the full extent of the area's significance to the rest of the Mewuk community, Leonard said.
He said he could not expand on its significance, other than to say, "It's just a gathering area that's very significant to our elders. We'd just like it restored."
The Mewuks, he said, also would like a trail at that location to be removed.
"Whether it be a restroom or a trail going through there, we feel it would create adverse impacts to a cultural resource there."
He said the Yosemite Valley Plan has merit, and even among Mewuks there are people with differing opinions.
"We're trying to find a balance here, but some areas we have to stand on," he said.
Park spokesman Scott Gediman said the public raised no other major concerns about the Lower Yosemite Fall improvement project.
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