Merced River Plan
Comment Analysis

The comment period for the Draft Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan/EIS officially closed on March 24. Over 2,500 comments were received by mail, e-mail, fax, and at the 12 public hearings held throughout the state in February. The National Park Service received a spectrum of valuable comments from individuals throughout the nation, local residents, long-time Yosemite visitors, government agencies, and interested organizations.

Now that the comment period is closed, the Merced River planning team is setting to the task of reviewing and incorporating comments into the final Merced River Plan (slated for release in mid-June 2000). Assisting in the sorting and analysis of comments is the Content Analysis Enterprise Team (CAET), a division of the U.S. Forest Service.

A broad range of issues surfaced during the public comment period. Some responses addressed concerns regarding the proposed boundaries, classifications, Outstandingly Remarkable Values, and the River Protection Overlay. Other public comments included suggestions for changes to the management zones to respond to camping, parking, boating, and other river management-related issues. Respondents also requested that the National Park Service provide more specific research and monitoring guidelines in the Merced River Plan.

In mid-June, the final Merced River Plan will be released, presenting a range of alternatives revised from the original draft plan. Following a 30-day required period of "no action," the Pacific West Regional Director of the National Park Service will select an alternative that will be signed as a Record of Decision.