Adding 1600 Acres to Yosemite National Park Gains Momentum—and Bipartisan Support
The Yosemite National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2013 was introduced in the US Senate and House by Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) and Rep. Costa (D-CA 16th). Current co-sponsors include Boxer, Huffman, Cardenas, Honda, Lee, Chu, Lowenthal, Schiff, and Cartwright.
(For Immediate Release—April 23, 2013) —In 2004, the Pacific Forest Trust saw an opportunity to restore a part of John Muir’s vision for Yosemite: 1,600 forested acres at the Park’s western border. Today, with the help of Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Representative Jim Costa (D-16th), and 16 other cosponsors, Yosemite is a step closer to being complete. S. 781 and HR 1677 call for a boundary line adjustment to majestic Yosemite National Park. Current cosponsors of the bills include Boxer, Huffman, Cardenas, Honda, Lee, Chu, Lowenthal, Schiff, and Cartwrights
“From Yosemite Falls to Half Dome to Tuolumne Meadows, there is no debating that Yosemite is one of our national treasures that must be preserved for future generations. This legislation marks the commitment of Californians from all walks of life to protecting and building on the legacy of the last 150 years,” said Rep. Costa.
Sen. Feinstien added: “I believe this modest, but important addition to Yosemite National Park will help ensure its continued protection and enjoyment for years to come.”
I am so pleased to support this important legislation that further preserves Yosemite National Park for future generations,” Said bill co-sponsor Sen. Barbara Boxer. This plan would add approximately 1,,600 acres of forest while protecting important waterways and natural habitats that make Yosemite such a pristine treasure…”
CA Rep. Frank Bigelow (R-Jackson) agreed, noting: ” One hundred years ago, when my great grandfather Major John Bigelow Jr. was the superintendent of Yosemite, one of the great challenges of the day was management conflict with private holdings in and around California’s first and greatest park. Subsequent boundary changes and acquisitions resolved many of those issues, with a couple notable exceptions, including this area. I’m pleased to join Mariposa County is supporting this adjustment to Yosemite’s boundary, and I look forward to seeing this area added to the Park.”
This bill will restore lands to the Park that had been part of it in the 1880s and were included in the original boundary proposed by John Muir. The land included in this proposal sits next to the Yosemite West development, between the western edge of the Park and Sierra National Forest. Given the high fire risk in the area, limited water, the extreme cost of providing basic county services to this remote area, and their desire to protect the Park’s integrity, the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors strongly backs the bill authorizing the addition of this land to Yosemite. So, too, do the state legislators representing the district, Senator Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) and Assemblymember Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto).
Sen. Feinstein noted the challenges facing Yosemite’s western border: “[Yosemite’s] popularity is also its greatest challenge. New development in Yosemite West would increase the threat of fire, habitat fragmentation and degradation of creeks that flow into the park. Conservation efforts led by the Pacific Forest Trust have protected over 800 acres west of the park, but the park’s boundary must be adjusted to allow the National Park Service to acquire these adjacent lands.“
“While this is a challenging Congress to move things through,” Laurie Wayburn, president and co-chief executive officer of the San Francisco-based Pacific Forest Trust, said, “this is one of those rare, common-ground movements. Yosemite has a very special place in Californians’ hearts.”
Adding these lands to Yosemite will conserve critically important habitat, creating a continuous protected landscape between the Park and Sierra National Forest. Several threatened, endangered, or imperiled wildlife and plant species will also benefit from this conservation, including the Pacific fisher, Sierra red fox, Goshawk, and Cooper’s hawks, great Grey and long-eared owls, wolverines, Congdon’s Wooly Sunflower, Congdon’s Lwisia and the Yosemite Popcorn flower. “It has a magnificent view of the Wild and Scenic Merced River, and it’s also a migration corridor for deer,” said Laurie Wayburn, president and co-CEO of Pacific Forest Trust. “This was always meant to be a part of the park.”
Park visitation (Yosemite received over 3.8 million visitors in 2012) is a major economic contributor to Mariposa County. Protecting this land will create important new public recreational opportunities including a major new recreation trail. This legislation will also help prevent further rural sprawl, maintain important wildlife habitat, and reduce the risk of wildfire starts and the cost of protecting homes built in the woods.
The landowners affected by the proposal, as well as the Yosemite West Homeowners Association, have unanimously indicated that they support the legislation. Notably, the legislation introduced today would allow the Park to accept these properties, but does not appropriate any funds, leaving that action to existing land protection programs.
This Legislation is further bolstered by a unanimous California State Senate resolution urging the adoption of legislation to add the 1,600 acres to the park. Broad support for park expansion continues to grow among elected officials as the bill has also gained the support of California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird.
The Pacific Forest Trust is proud to have worked closely with Senator Feinstein, Representative Costa and others to ensure that this important landscape can be forever protected as part of the Park. Since 2004, PFT has acquired over 1,000 acres of land threatened by development in this area, with the intention of adding the property to the Park and preserving its integrity.
To learn more about the Yosemite BLA Project, including maps, support letters, and other background materials, visit the PFT website here: https://pacificforest.org/Yosemite-Anniversary-BLA.html.
Media: Laurie Wayburn, Co-CEO of Pacific Forest Trust, is available for comment at
(415) 561-0700 ext. 14 or lwayburn@pacificforest.org
Tom Mentzer, Communications contact for Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, is available for comment at (202) 224-9629
Jessica Kahanek, Communications Director for Rep. Jim Costa, is also available for comment
at (202) 225-3341 or Jessica.Kahanek@mail.house.gov
About the Pacific Forest Trust: Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) is dedicated to conserving and sustaining America’s vital, productive forest landscapes. Working with forest owners, communities and an array of partners, we advance innovative, incentive-based strategies to safeguard our nation’s diverse forests. In so doing, we’re ensuring forests continue to provide people everywhere — from rural communities to urban centers — with a wealth of benefits, including clean water, sustainably harvested wood, green jobs, wildlife habitat and a livable climate. The Pacific Forest Trust is headquartered in San Francisco, California. To learn more about PFT, please visit: www.PacificForest.org.