Electronic Newsletter, March 15, 2011

March 25 Workshop: Recreation Use along the Merced River Corridor
Social Scientist David Pettebone and Park Planner Jim Bacon along with other park planners, scientists, and operations specialists will present an overview of current recreation conditions and managerial considerations. The purpose of the March 25 workshop is to develop a common understanding of recreation activities and related resource protection along the Merced River. The conversations generated in this workshop will provide a foundation for dialog between park managers and the public as the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (MRP) is developed.

The Merced River factors prominently in the grandeur of Yosemite National Park drawing millions of people each year from all over the world. Its towering waterfalls along with meandering and rushing waters provide for a variety of exemplary river related recreational experiences. The National Park Service is preparing a comprehensive management plan that will outline the future management of Merced River including how best to provide for high quality river recreation while protecting the resource values for which the river was designated wild and scenic.

Date: March 25, 2011
Location: Yosemite Valley Auditorium
Time: 1-4 pm

Park entrance fees are waived for workshop attendees.

For those unable to attend the workshop in person, it will also be available online via a webinar. Look for more information on the public meetings page about how to register and log in to the webinar in the next couple of weeks.

See how this workshop fits into bigger picture! [PDF 1496 kb]

Visit the MRP web pages for updates and to download the latest documents.

Tuolumne River Plan to be Released Late Spring
In late spring 2011, the National Park Service will release for public review the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS). Upon its release, members of the public will be invited to review and comment on the draft plan, as well as attend one of several public meetings throughout the summer (to be announced in a future update).

To minimize the need for printing, members of the public are encouraged to review the Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS via the NPS Planning Environment Public Comment (PEPC) website. In addition, the draft plan will be available for you to review and comment in the following formats:

1. CD-ROM version (upon request)
2. Hard copy version (printed in very limited supply)

Printed copies of the Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS will also be made available to local libraries throughout the region.

To request a CD or printed version, PLEASE PRINT your name and address and send BY APRIL 22 via one of the following:

1. By fax to [phone]
2. By email
3. By phone to [phone]
4. By mail to
   Yosemite National Park, Superintendent
   Attn: Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS REQUEST
   P.O. Box 577
   Yosemite, CA 95389

In 1984, the Tuolumne was added by Congress to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. As mandated by law, a comprehensive river management plan is required to direct how the managing agency will protect and enhance the river's free-flowing condition, its water quality, as well as its outstandingly remarkable values. When completed, the Tuolumne River Plan will guide the future management of the 54 miles of the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River that flow through Yosemite National Park. The plan and draft EIS will contain all elements required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; document the condition of river values; propose programs for restoration, monitoring, and user capacity; and analyze a range of site-specific management alternatives in the river corridor.

Stay informed of the Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS release and future activities by visiting the Tuolumne River Plan web page.

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