MRP Draft Baseline Condition Report Available
The Merced Wild and Scenic River Values Draft Baseline Condition Report is now available for public review. The report summarizes research and information about the conditions of the Merced River values in 1987 (the year the river was designated Wild and Scenic) and 2010. Free-flowing condition, water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs) form the three pillars of protection under the Wild and Scenic River Act.
Successful protection and enhancement of the Merced River's free-flowing condition, water quality, and 24 ORVs depend on an accurate understanding of the current conditions of the river values and their conditions at the time of designation. Your help can ensure that the final report is accurate and sufficient. We invite you to read the draft report and provide feedback by April 30, 2011. To provide comments on the report visit the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Merced River page (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MRPBaselineConditions). The report and five larger formatted maps are available to download at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mrp_documents.htm.
MRP Spring Workshops
Are you curious about the health of the Merced River's riparian zones? Do you wonder how national historic landmarks like The Ahwahnee and Ranger Club fit into the Merced River Plan? Or perhaps you ponder how many visitors and what types of activities the river can handle? These questions and many more will be explored in the upcoming Merced River Plan (MRP) Spring Workshops. During the last week of April, the MRP team will host four workshops on Hydrology, Biology, and Geology; Transportation; Cultural Resources; and User Capacity. The workshops will feature presentations by park scientists, resource managers, and non-NPS specialists. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in facilitated discussions. For more information click on the workshop title below.
For those unable to attend the workshops in person, they will also be available online via a webinar. Look for more information about how to register and log in to the webinars later this week at www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mrp_meetings.htm.
