Yosemite National Park is extending the public scoping period for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (MRP/EIS). The Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS was originally published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2009 (with a 60 day public scoping period originally set to conclude on August 29, 2009). The Notice of Intent to extend the scoping period was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2009. In response to public comments, the scoping period has been extended to February 4, 2010.

Any individual, organization, agency, or other interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments – any further responses must now be postmarked or transmitted no later than February 4, 2010. Comments submitted to date in response to the June 30, 2009 Notice of Intent need not be resubmitted.

All written responses should be addressed to the Superintendent, Attn: Merced River Plan, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, or may be sent via the Internet to e-mail us or submitted via FAX to (209) 379-1294.

Public meetings are planned for the fall, with dates and times forthcoming.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/newmrp.htm