The long legal struggle over what activities should be allowed in Yosemite National Park appears to be coming to a head. The so-called Merced River Plan, the 2,500-page blueprint that has grown out of 14 years of wrangling over park use is at the top of the agenda at a public meeting today at Fort Mason Center at which park service officials will discuss the plan. From Paul Rogers at the Mercury News:
In the name of restoring the park's natural setting, a new proposal by the National Park Service would ban bicycle and horse rentals in Yosemite Valley and remove the ice rink at Curry Village. Swimming pools at the Yosemite Lodge and Ahwahnee Hotel would be torn out. Rafting rentals on the Merced River would end. The longest stone bridge in Yosemite Valley would be demolished. Even the Yosemite Art Activity Center, where families learn water colors, would go.
Note: Meeting is 5 to 8 p.m., Room C370, Fort Mason Center.