Office of the Secretary

For Release: November 5, 1997

Contact: John Wright 202/208-6416

The draft Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan is a comprehensive blueprint to

carry out the provisions of the 1980 Yosemite National Park General Management Plan

“The plan will help to eliminate congestion, overcrowding and gridlock in Yosemite National Park while ensuring the preservation of the park’s resources for the future. It is a major step on the way to improving the experience of our visitors while protecting the natural beauty and the breathtaking landscape, they travel to see at this magnificent national park.

“People from all over the world have a love affair with America’s national parks. It is precisely that love affair which underlies all of the optimism and excitement this plan has to offer for improving the valley. The popularity of this crown jewel has been determined by usage and endorsed by acceptance in the millions of visitors it attracts each year.

“Under this draft plan, visitors will spend more time enjoying the exquisite scenic beauty that Yosemite has to offer, instead of sitting in traffic looking for a place to park. This plan calls for restoring natural resources, improving visitors’ facilities and developing a transportation system that will reduce noise and traffic congestion, while providing convenient access for millions of visitors, whose numbers continue to increase each year.

“This is not just a draft plan that will help to restore and enhance one of America’s prominent national parks, but also an opportunity to set new standards for preservation and protection of her natural resources that will prevail as a model for other parks to use as we move into the twenty-first century.

“What the final plan will look like will be determined by the American people. After all, you have been collaborators in making America’s parks-- the best national park system in the world.”

- DOI -