Yosemite Solicits Input On Merced River

National Park officials in Yosemite are soliciting input from the public on management of the 122-mile long Merced Wild and Scenic River area.

Approximately 81 miles of the area is inside the National Park. The designation was granted to that stectch of the river by Congress in 1987. Spectacular scenery and awesome river running opportunities are highlights of the region. Yosemite Park Ranger Vicki Mates says the Park Service has been directed by the U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit to examine the capacity of all visitors to the area and the possibility of expanding the area´s boundaries around El Portal.

Input from the public will be considered and incorporated into the area´s Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. Mates says comments can be faxed to (209) 379-1294, or emailed to yose_planning@nps.gov, or via snail mail to Yosemite National Park´s Superintendent at P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389. Public comment will be accepted through March 22nd.