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Yosemite lawsuit could affect access to the park

Construction projects in Yosemite National Park have come to a standstill.

In November, a federal judge barred crews from finishing $60 million in construction projects in Yosemite Valley, siding with a small group of environmentalists who sued the federal government, saying further commercial development would bring greater numbers of visitors, thus threatening the Merced's fragile ecosystem.

Park spokesman Scott Gediman called the plaintiffs a "fringe group" pushing a radical agenda.

"They want us to set a quota for the number of visitors coming into the park, which is something we just don't want to do," he said.

Yosemite is beautiful and deserves the full funding and protection of the federal government and should not be at the mercy of small special interest groups.

Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite doesn’t need adverse decisions by activist judges supporting a few environmentalists funded by special interest groups who live hundreds of miles from the park.

Without the RV parks and other commercial sites, Yosemite would be more pristine. Without roads, Yosemite would be even more pristine.

But then, about the only people who would be able to take in the natural wonders and beauty of the park would be a few environmental activists arriving on foot or in 40-year-old VW microbuses. They would bring all of their worldly possessions consisting of a bedroll and a few wormy rice cakes wrapped in a soiled bandana. Oh, yes - they would also bring in their marijuana.

Contractors and planners working in Yosemite are very conscious of the aesthetics involved and whatever they build would come very close to blending into the natural landscape of the park.

I hope Yosemite can successfully appeal the court decision.

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