Federal Court: No More Construction In Yosemite

[magikwalt]

Federal Court: No More Construction In Yosemite


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Yosemite National Park can't continue with planned construction projects because the development threatens the fragile ecosystem in Yosemite Valley.
The ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means the park service will have to hold off on those repairs until September 2009. That's when it's expected to prepare an adequate plan to manage and protect the river.

Environmental groups sued the federal government in 2000, claiming the National Park Service's plans would jeopardize the federally protected Merced River. The river runs alongside famous granite monoliths and dramatic waterfalls.

A U.S. District Court judge sided with the environmentalists last year and temporarily barred crews from repairing a road and sewer system and upgrading hotel rooms on the valley floor.

[zippetydude]

Rats. I was hoping for a casino and a few escalators like we had discussed here (for going from Long Valley to San J).

I guess we'll just have to look at those trees and streams and meadows. Dang. Life's pretty rough in Yosemite.

I'm still one of those fools who hopes one day Hetch Hetchy will be returned to its natural state, so I'm happy to hear about any restrictions on building. Thanks for the post.

z