This June 12, 2012 photo shows the Sugar Pine Bridge, built in 1928, and one of three historic bridges in Yosemite Valley that the National Park Service is considering removing to restore unimpeded flows of the Merced River, in Yosemite Valley, Calif. This month the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the Sugar Pine, Ahwahnee and Stoneman bridges in Yosemite National Park on its most endangered list, saying these early examples of natural park architecture should be protected. (AP Photo/Tracie Cone)

Letter of the Day: Preserving Yosemite

Preserving Yosemite

EDITOR: Yes, removing swimming pools and bike and rafting concessions from Yosemite Valley are misguided aspects of the plan to restore the Merced River and the valley ("Saving space for visitors at Yosemite," Tuesday). However, without the plan's changes, the park will not live up to its guiding mandate "to perpetuate the natural splendor of Yosemite and its exceedingly special valley."

The "natural splendor" of the valley and the native attributes of the river aren't currently protected. Commercial operations, buildings, stables and even a golf course are in the river corridor, degrading its health. And the bridge to be removed was built before folks knew it would contribute to flooding and erosion.

So before we say the plan is "mean spirited" or makes the park less attractive to children, let's remember that on the present course, without protecting (and the Wild and Scenic Act says "enhancing") the river, future children will visit a park that has great rock faces but whose river is no longer splendid and special.

Sure, tell the Park Service not to remove the swimming pools, bikes and rafts, but support the overall plan to protect the beauty and health of this "crown jewel of the National Park system."

CHARLES S. LITTLE

Petaluma

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