Yosemite Valley Plan Limits Visitors Overall

I was greatly dismayed by your Jan. 15 editorial, “Meddling With Paradise.” As someone who was born, raised and continues to reside next door to Yosemite, my feelings about the park’s future are vast and deep. In fact, I find myself backpacking every summer in the high country and taking my wife and son on picnics to the base of Half Dome.

Since day one, I have been involved with the development of the Yosemite Valley Plan. I have been very active and continue to participate in all the public discussions. I have met with the environmental community at every turn. This effort has resulted in a Yosemite Valley Plan that contains many good recommendations needed to improve and update the park--recommendations that should be implemented and that we are moving forward with presently. However, the Yosemite Valley Plan also contains provisions that, if fully implemented, will spend millions of dollars in one-time costs, increase the park’s annual operating budget and cut park services. A plan that slashes park services while increasing costs does not sound like a good deal for those who own the park: the American taxpayers.

Overall, the plan limits the ability of the public to visit and enjoy America’s most spectacular national park. I believe in implementing a plan that strikes a balance between preserving the environmental integrity of the park and maintaining an open access policy for visitors.

Rep. George Radanovich

R-Mariposa