Below are the minutes from several AAC Board Meetings that initiated the historical lawsuit that saved Camp 4. It was the first time that the AAC opposed the actions of the National Park Service, and the resolutions were controversial. It was only though persistence that I was able to bring the serious implications of the Park Service plan to light with the AAC board. The long term effect of our opposition has been a tremendous
DRAFT MINUTES (Exerpt)
American Alpine Club
Board of Directors Meeting
Golden, CO
September 13, 1997
Present:
Officers:
Louis Reichardt, President, Michael Browning, Vice President,
Sam Streibert, Treasurer, Jed Williamson, Secretary
Board Members:
William L. Putnam, Carlos Buhler, Jim Frush, Eliza Moran, Bill Stall,
John Rehmer, John Middendorf, Ralph Erenzo
Reichardt commented on the Yosemite project and the Yosemite Fund,
which is a 3-year, million dollar plus project. He asked the Board to
consider our level of involvement. Middendorf finds the proposal to be a
travesty as presented, citing the tree cutting plan and the walk in
proposal. His perspective comes from four years of living there, and 20
years total experience. He feels that Yosemite will be out of the question
for anyone who wants to do extensive climbing there. Buhler indicated
that he believes our handling of this as a Board will have international
ramifications. Several discussion points followed, and the question was
raised as to what kind of participation we should engage in. Reichardt
believes that if we are association with the renovation then we might have
a say in how it is developed. We have a better chance of shaping the
results, and it will be perceived as AAC having attempted to work towards
the benefit of climbers and the climbing environment. Williamson asked
whether being in the process would be of benefit, even if we "lose" in
terms of suggestions and plans. One method of involvement is to be
opposed to certain aspects of the plan and go on record. Therefore, it
was MOVED by John Middendorf that the AAC Board is opposed to the
current aspect of the plan that calls for cutting trees in the vicinity
of Yosemite Lodge north of Northside Drive from Columbia to Swan Slab.
Carried.
After long discussions with the board over the next months, I insisted on a special meeting after the December Board meeting and the following resloutions were passed.
The Board of Directors readjourned at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 1997.
John Middendorf made the following motion:
1. It is the sense of the Board of Directors of the American Alpine Club that we believe that the current Yosemite Lodge Development Plan violates the policy of the American Alpine Club which believes that the National Parks are to be set aside in their natural condition.
2. The American Alpine Club feels that walk-in campgrounds are more in line with appropriate policy than the planned development, and the American Alpine Club objects to the current plan to develop buildings, cut trees, and build parking lots in areas, including but not limited to, north of Northside Drive from Camp 4 (Sunnyside Campground) to Swan Slab; further that, the American Alpine Club believes that Camp 4 (also known as Sunnyside Campground) is a unique and historically significant place.
3. The American Alpine Club supports this listing in the National Register of Historic Places; further the American Alpine Club believes that since mountaineers are the primary users of Camp 4, the American Alpine Club should continue to have a strong voice and interest in all continuing issues, including authorizations for facilities, campground reservations systems, and other matters pertaining to Camp 4.