American Alpine Club 710 Tenth Street, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401
February 23, 1998
Response of the American Alpine Club to the "Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan"
In response to the Draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan, the Board of Directors of the American Alpine Club formed an Ad Hoc committee of knowledgeable California-based A.A.C. members and directed this Yosemite Committee to evaluate this Plan and provide comments to the National Park Service.
The A.A.C. Yosemite Committee appreciates the tremendous time and effort invested in this plan by National Park Service personnel; and the efforts of the National Park service to consult us and representatives of other interested groups representing climbers and other users of Yosemite Valley. The Club recognizes that the clear overall intention of this plan is to take significant steps to restore Yosemite Valley and to enhance the quality of experience of all visitors. In all our interactions, we have been impressed by the professionalism and by the dedication of Park Service personnel to the primary missions of the National Park, particularly to preserving Yosemite while respecting to the fullest extent possible interests of various users of this national park. The committee members realize that it has been difficult to balance interests of various groups and support the overall goals and intent of this Draft Plan. Subcommittee members understand that because of the increasing population of California, increased numbers of visitors from the United States or abroad, the very high visibility of Yosemite as a "gem" of the National Park System, and the small dimensions of Yosemite Valley, the major visitor destination within Yosemite National Park, that major changes will have to be implemented if visitors to Yosemite in the future are to appreciate its magnificent scenery and wildlife in a natural, not an urban setting.
We support those aspects of the Draft Valley Implementation Plan which we believe are consistent with the most important mandate of the National Park Service-- to preserve National Parks in their natural condition so that visitors can experience them in their original rustic, uncommercialized states. Thus, this club supports restoration of natural areas and values of the Park, including meadows, the flood plain, native trees and animals. Where necesssary, the Club supports removal of bridges, roads and other man-made structures as part of this restoration. The Club favors removal of as many commercial facilities as possible from the Valley and design of those facilities deemed to be essential to as modest proportions as possible. More upscale facilities should be provided in surrounding communities with provision of public transport for visits to the Valley. Except when it impacts negatively public safety, the Club favors relocation of employee housing to locations outside of Yosemite Valley. In many of these aspects, the Club does not believe that the Draft Valley Implementation Plan is ambitious enough. In order to achieve these goals, our guiding principle should not be to make Parks all things to all people at all times, but rather true unto themselves--unspoiled places that serve as beautiful, restorative contrasts to our urban societies.
Considering the limited geographical extent of Yosemite Vallley, the A.A.C. thinks that all decisions relevant to the Valley Implementation Plan should be considered part of the mandate of this plan. Specifically, we believe that it is a mistake to proceed with improvement of U.S. 140 or with with redesign of the Yosemite Lodge area without consideration of these plans within the overall framework of the Valley Implementation Plan. We recommend compiling a complete plan with Environmental Impact statement to integrate all Yosemite Valley plans, which would include the V.I.P. Housing Plan, the Transportation Plan (which should include major access roads such as Highway 140), Curry Village plan, and the Yosemite Lodge area. We are particularly concerned because structures built or improved as parts of the Transportation or Yosemite Lodge plans will clearly last for many generations and therefore have permanent or long lasting impacts on Yosemite Valley.
The A.A.C. recommends that all opportunities offered by the Valley Implementation Plan or 1997 floods be used to move to the goal of bringing Yosemite Valley to a more rustic condition more closely ressembling that experienced by its original inhabitants. In particular, there are many negative impacts of the highly commercialized developments in many areas of the Valley and these impacts should be minimized or eliminated to the fullest extent possible. This club is particularly concerned about the impact of plans for the Yosemite Lodge area where invasion of currently undeveloped areas north of Northside Drive are proposed. This club believes that the experience of Yosemite Lodge visitors would be enhanced by placing the lodge on a smaller footprint with smaller and less luxurious individual accommodation units. While the Club believes that concessionaire interests can not be allowed to determine National Park Service policy when it conflicts with the guiding mission of preservation, we also believe that visitors will adapt to and welcome the overall enhancement of their experience provided by implementing these changes in the Yosemite Lodge area and elsewhere, as it becomes possible. The educational resources of the National Park Service should be used to make visitors aware of the many negative impacts humans can have upon the fragile environments in our National Parks. Visitors should expect to find facilities of modest and low impact styles appropriate for a National Park, not the more luxurious facilities and commercialized areas typically found in resorts.
The A.A.C. believes that the National Park service should use the Valley Implementation plan to redesign campgrounds to lower their deleterious impact on the Valley. The club is pleased that Camp 4 will continue to have the same number of camp sites and supports the addition of another walk-in campground. The club urges incorporation of a higher percentage of high density walk in campgrounds over those with vehicular access. In particular, the club believes that the current trend towards larger and more elaborate recreation vehicles should not be encouraged by design of campgrounds with campsites large enough to accommodate these vehicles within the limited space available in Yosemite Valley. The public transportation system improvements should include improved access to campgrounds outside the Valley or National Park to permit large and intrusive vehicles to be accommodated at these sites. Again, the educational resources of the National Park Service should be utilized so that visitors understand the imperative for modest, rustic and low impact campgrounds. The A.A.C. understands the need for smog abatement in the Valley and supports design of campgrounds and regulations to reduce campfires during months when pollution is a problem (April-October).
The A.A.C. appreciates the problems associated with excessive numbers and use of private automobiles within Yosemite Valley and the motivation that has led to the very extensive proposals for changing the transportation utilized by visitors to the Valley. The Club favors implementation of all possible "carrots" to encourage visitors to utilize publics transportation. The use of bicycles within the Valley should be vigorously promoted by offering free or low cost bike rentals in the Valley, bike paths separate from the roads used by autos and other motorized vehicles, building more bike racks, and providing systems for carrying bikes on Valley transports. To encourage use of bicycles, public transport, and foot trails it is crucial that there be storage facilities for food and personal provisions near all transportation destinations and campgrounds. At present, a major motive for use of the personal auto is its utility as a reasonably secure storage facility.
The A.A.C. supports the concept that vehicular access should be restricted to a level deemed appropriate for the size and configuration of a National Park. The Club supports a system to let as many day use visitors into the Park as possible by public transportation to minimize "turn-aways". While appreciating the need for more extensive reliance on a public transportation system, the Club is concerned about the impact of making such a system mandatory on persons with special needs, such as the elderly, the handicapped, parents with small children or infants. The Club believes that no public transportation system has yet addressed adequately the needs of such persons and is very skeptical that one can be implemented rapidly for Yosemite Valley by the surrounding communities. In addition, any public transportation system will inevitably reduce flexibility, concentrate visitors into the few areas close to departure and return depots, impose crowding and waiting times and have other effects detracting from the "quality of experience". Any public transportation system seems unlikely to meet visitors' needs adequately at unusual travel hours or during periods of comparatively low demand. Therefore, the Club strongly recommends modifications in the transportation plan to provide more flexibility of access, particularly for persons with special needs.
The Club also recommends that the likely impact of the expense associated with an elaborate public transportation system on visitors with low or limited incomes be considered and that the plan incorporate modifications to enable such persons to continue to visit what is as much "their" as "our" National Park.
The Club expects that, as part of implementation of the Implementation Plan, specific regulations will ensure that public transport vehicles are non-polluting and do not contribute to noise pollution. At present, diesel tour buses are generally noisy, polluting and unpleasant distractions from the Yosemite experience at major visitor destinations.
The Club is concerned about the negative impact of building "temporary" parking lots at Taft Toe or a permanent parking facility at Pohonos Quarry and urges that the Implementation Plan incorporate enough flexibility to avoid these expedients, which appear to be considered undesirable by the authors of the Draft Valley Implementation Plan.
In summation, the American Alpine Club understands the major needs that the Draft Valley Implementation Plan seeks to address and supports its major goals, but believes further modifications are necessary to optimize it. The Club wishes to express its willingness to work with the concessionaire, representatives of other user groups, and National Park service personnel in exploring the implications of these recommended modifications. The American Alpine Club asks that the National Park Service continue to give highest priority to its mandate for preservation and restoration of Yosemite Valley and steadfastly and diligently use its resources and efforts to offer park visitors a truly American experience--personalized, rustic and restorative with freedom from the crowding, scheduling, commercialization, regimentation, and mass transit experiences of daily life.
Respectfully submitted by the American Alpine Club Yosemite Ad Hoc Committee on February 23, 1998.
Louis F. Reichardt Linda McMillan
for the Committee