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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Nov 13, 2009 - 04:43am PT
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I agree, good points Matt.
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LB4USC
Trad climber
Long Beach
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Nov 13, 2009 - 10:15am PT
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I still haven't been able to locate anything that "officially" describes what is actually being proposed. There are tons of pages that describe methodologies, but ... damn ... what are they looking to do?
With that said, based on what I have seen in unofficial sites, I am opposed to anything that reduces the number of campsites (drive-in or walk-in). I would be willing to forgo individual fire rings in the drive-in campgrounds. Apart from permanent restrooms, campsites seem to be the least intrusive. If a hundred year flood rolls through, they could be the easiest to restore. I've seen areas in North Pines that are under restoration without having to close the entire campground. Why is closure of the campgrounds the only solution?
I am in total agreement with Matt that guests at the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge would be the least inconvenienced by alternate parking and shuttle service. In fact I would be willing to have dedicated shuttles service for hotel guests only.
I recall that Yosemite Lodge is losing two structures riverside, but is gaining new space. Probably no skin off my nose, other than the loss of parking during demo and construction.
I've seen a proposal that would make more of a walking mall around the lodge. That's kind of cool.
I've read many renovations associated with Camp 4 including laundry/shower facilities, a communal fire ring/amphitheater, and possible site for the climbing museum. Again, other than the disruption from construction ... kind of cool.
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Patrick Sawyer
climber
Originally California now Ireland
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Nov 15, 2009 - 12:33pm PT
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Anders, this thread was buried back on page 3, so to speak, obviously you are correct, no interest. People will bitch but when it comes to input...
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Nov 15, 2009 - 12:49pm PT
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The name is unfortunate. It will keep non water-oriented users from commenting.
Let's remember the lesson from planning after the '97 flood. Suddenly a 5-story dorm loomed over Camp 4. It got there because planners were backing away from the flood plain, trying to keep their feet dry. Understandable in process, but look how it impacted climbers!
Remember the line from The Who, "Don't get fooled again!"
Only 5000 years ago the Valley was a lake. From wall to shining wall, everything in that Valley relates to the Merced River. Therefore, this is nothing short of the latest general plan.
This is a good thing. It means we get to rework the entirety of civilization-as-we-know-it in our beloved Gulch.
It means we have another opportunity for the citizenry to take control of our Valley back from the usual suspects, the ones renting the rooms and flipping the burgers.
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Bullwinkle
Boulder climber
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Nov 15, 2009 - 12:55pm PT
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The Merced River Plan???? this is from the same people that can't figure out how to put a trashcan down at EL Cap. . .
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CF
climber
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Nov 15, 2009 - 01:42pm PT
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Scoping session on the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan in Wawona on Friday, December 4, 2009
Dear WAPOA members and Friends,
We are pleased to let you know that the National Park Service has agreed to hold a scoping session on the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan in Wawona on Friday, December 4, 2009 from noon until 4:00 p.m. This particular scoping session will be in conjunction with a meeting of the Wawona Town Planning Area Advisory Committee (WTPAC). The agenda for the meeting is included below as part of this email.
As you are probably aware, the NPS is under a court order to complete a new Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan by December 2012. As a major consideration for the plan will be land uses along the Merced River and Wawona being situated along the South Fork of the Merced, this plan will have a direct affect on the Wawona Community. The purpose of this scoping session will be to enable the Wawona community to provide input to the NPS on issues we feel warrant consideration and study as part of this planning process. While December 4th will be the last day to officially provide scoping comments, and comments will be welcomed during the meeting, we have asked the Park Service for some extra time if necessary should we elect to provide consolidated written comments following the meeting.
Recognizing this is somewhat short notice, we appreciate the opportunity to have a scoping session in Wawona and look forward to seeing those of you who can make it.
Sincerely,
Gene Spindler President, WAPOA
WAWONA TOWN PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Date: Friday, December 4, 2009
Time: Noon to 4 P.M.
Place: Wawona Community Center
Call to order by Edward Mee, Chairman
Roll Call: Members
Edward Mee, Chair Tony Christianson
Chuck Jones, Vice Chair Gale Banks
Susan Baker, Secretary Ralph Harder
Larry Williams Roger Soulanille
Eugene Spindler
Ex-officio Members
Jim Allen, District V Supervisor
YNP representative to the Superintendent, Kristine Bunnell
1. Introduction
2. Persons wishing to speak on any item of interest not on the agenda, but within the purview of the Committee.
Note; The Committee may not take action or discuss items not appearing on the posted agenda. However, members may briefly respond to questions or statements made by the public, other members or County staff.
3. National Park Service Merced River Plan Scoping
Adjournment
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Nov 26, 2009 - 02:01am PT
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There seems to be some sort of deadline on December 4th, which is fairly soon. And maybe Jesse, being a seasonal ranger and all, isn't around right now to bump this one. On the beach in Thailand, running marathons, you know.
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JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 1, 2009 - 09:40pm PT
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LB4USC,
The reason you haven't found anything proposed is because nothing has been proposed. The planning team first carries out public scoping, then reads and compiles the comments from this period, and then begins to form draft alternatives. There are many internal ideas of how we should manage the values of the river, and the developments in its watershed to maintain its integrity. However, these ideas are still being developed and have not been incorporated into a proposal or draft alternative.
The comments you wrote here are exactly the type of thing we want to hear. Please follow up, and send the comment form provided in my links.
Anders,
I was gone for a couple weeks of family vacation, and now I'm back for a week. I'm actually no longer a "seasonal ranger", but thankfully I still get some time off as a furlough. This year I'll be off until late January.
Bullwinkle, I also think its a good idea to put a trashcan at El Cap. Some do not. Right now the bear boxes that climbing management put down there are the defacto trash pit, and nobody like having their stash of Cobras mixed with dirty diapers! Some folks think that this would constitute more development, and they are opposed to any form of it. It would also cost $ to maintain. I'll try to get one installed down there, once again, next spring. Send in your comments, and remember that we are going through this process again because a private group sued the NPS and won.
For everyone, think about how we can limit impacts to the Merced River, and the values that make it special to us all. We have been directed to spell out "user capacity" in definite terms with this next plan.
More camping seems to be a consistent call of all user groups. I think one area where climbers really have an advantage is in our willingness (if not preference) for tent camping and walk in campsites like Camp 4. Evidently, this level of camping has far less of an impact than RV camping or individual parking sites.
Finally,
I want to remind everyone who doesn't have the opportunity to be heard through their comments before December 4th, that this process will be ongoing and once we have draft alternatives you will have another public comment period.
Jesse McGahey
Yosemite Climbing Ranger
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JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 1, 2009 - 09:49pm PT
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Jason,
There are many long term residents on the core team. John Dill, is one you may know, Kim Tucker is another, Mark Butler, Loren Fazio, and Elexis Mayor, are a couple more.
Who else from the NPS would you want to be on the core team? Maybe they are already...there are about 40 people on board!
I think of one of my principal roles as a part of the core team as representing the climbing community's interests, and still speaking for the intrinsic values of wilderness and the river. If you have any particular concerns let me know, turn in comments, and go to the meetings.
Jesse
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JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 2, 2009 - 04:51pm PT
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Bump
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CF
climber
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Are you ready?
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