Yosemite's plans depend on public involvement.
A planning effort kicks off with a process known as public scoping. It is during this time that the public may present ideas and concerns that will be taken into consideration as the plan is initiated. For the Merced River Plan process, members of the public are currently invited to read the Participant Guide to the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan [PDF] and to fill out a comment form [772 kb PDF]. If you would like to help us envision the future of the Merced River corridor in Yosemite you can express your views by emailing comments or attending public meetings. A schedule of public scoping workshops is now available.
At the conclusion of the public scoping period on February 4, 2010, the NPS will review all responses (including letters, faxes, emails, comment forms, and public meeting flip-chart notes). Each response from the public will be carefully reviewed and individual ideas identified and assigned a code according to their subject matter. These discrete individual ideas are known as public comments.
Public comments will then be grouped into what are called concern statements. These public concerns identify common themes expressed by individuals or groups requesting particular lines of action by the National Park Service. Both the actual comments and a public scoping report will then be made available providing the public with a look at all of the responses the NPS receives for this plan. Check back in early 2010 to see the results of the public scoping period.
Thank you for your past participation and comments. They will be important as we move forward with the new MRP.
You can also help us envision the future of the Merced River corridor by sending us a photo of what the Merced means to you.
Visit the New Merced River Plan on the National Park Service website.
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 or submitted via FAX to 209/379-1294.
