chelle Posted November 4, 2003 Posted November 4, 2003 Those egotistical jerks in DC are playing games again. One CA rep is trying to use tearing down the LeConte memorial bldg to pressure the Sierra Club to back off on opposing more campsites. And how the hell are people supposed to get in and out of the park without a shuttle service. This is what our tax dollars pay for? BS legislation that takes up Congress' time. - - - - From the Modesto Bee 10/30/03 Controversial Yosemite bill scrapes by committee The 99-year-old LeConte Memorial Lodge in Yosemite National Park would be removed under legislation by Rep. George Radanovich. By MICHAEL DOYLE BEE WASHINGTON BUREAU WASHINGTON -- By the narrowest possible margin, the House Resources Committee on Wednesday approved legislation to add campsites at Yosemite National Park and "remove" the park's historic LeConte Memorial Lodge. The committee cast a 21-20 party line vote to approve the legislation by Rep. George Radanovich, a Mariposa Republican whose district takes in Yosemite and stretches to Modesto. "I'm pleased," Radanovich said, "and I think this drives home the point that progress needs to be made on the Yosemite plan." But the one-vote margin, and the failure to sway any Democrats, including Merced Democrat Dennis Cardoza, also suggested that the legislation in its existing form faces an uphill battle on Capitol Hill. The bill's next step is the House floor; it is not likely to be taken up there before next year. Radanovich was the only lawmaker at Wednesday's hearing to speak in favor of the legislation, while four Democrats raised concerns about it. In particular, the bill is attracting notoriety over its provision to dismantle the 99-year-old LeConte lodge, one of five Yosemite buildings listed as national historic landmarks. The Sierra Club operates the lodge as an education center. Radanovich, who regularly clashes with the Sierra Club, contends that the environmental group is hypocritical in pressing to reduce the number of Yosemite campsites even as the club maintains the lodge. Yosemite activist Ken Gosting, director of the Mariposa-based group Transportation Involves Everyone, also commented by telephone: "To just tweak the Sierra Club on an emotional basis is not up to par for a U.S. congressman. "The LeConte lodge provisions are a burden for the rest of the bill, some of which has some validity to it." The legislation calls for "removal" of the granite-and-wood lodge and "restoration of the grounds of that memorial to its natural state." Radanovich contends that "removal" could mean relocating the building outside park boundaries. Cardoza said he supported the bill's call for more campsites but said he had to vote "no" because of the Le- Conte provision. Radanovich said the bill would have secured a larger victory margin had it been considered earlier in the day, before a number of Republicans left the unusually long committee meeting. Seven Republicans and four Democrats missed the vote. "Its prospects are good," Radano-vich said, adding that the vote "just makes me more determined." Democratic lawmakers and environmental group representatives, including Jay Watson of the Wilderness Society and Courtney Cuff of the National Parks and Conservation Association, said the LeConte provision is only one part of the bill deserving stricter scrutiny. They also question how the bill might affect Yosemite's existing management plans. The legislation calls for returning "low-impact" campsites along the Merced River, where the New Year's flooding of 1997 washed away 361 campsites. Existing park plans call for keeping the Merced River area undeveloped. The legislation also prohibits the establishment of shuttle bus service for remote parking facilities or areas outside Yosemite's boundaries. Quote
ScottP Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 Hmmm... Of the top 16 contributors to the Radanovich political machine, the Conference of Natl Park Concessioners is right in there with a nice little 3k donation. More campsites...Park Concessions...hmmm...I wonder if CurryCo is a member... Quote
Fairweather Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 Is it possible that the people have spoken here? Ever heard of representative government? Is it possible that people actually want to replace a few of the campsites washed away in floods? Is it possible that The Sierra Club doesn't speak for National Parks? It is possible that The Sierra Club is getting a free ride (at taxpayer expense) in YNP that it can use to spread its not-so-always-non-political message ? Hmmm. I wonder why anyone would dare have an opinion that didn't jibe with The Sierra Club. Quote
Dan_Harris Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 ehmmic, checking out the old local home town rag, eh? Radanovich is my rep and I even voted for him, but this is just silly and a waste of time. Quote
ScottP Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 Fairweather said: Is it possible that the people have spoken here? Ever heard of representative government? Some of those represented: 1 National Assn of Realtors $10,000 2 SBC Communications $9,999 3 Verizon Communications $6,000 4 PG&E Corp $5,500 5 Sun-Diamond Growers $5,250 6 American Hospital Assn $5,000 6 Associated Builders & Contractors $5,000 6 National Rifle Assn $5,000 6 Wine Institute $5,000 10 BellSouth Corp $4,500 11 American Health Care Assn $4,000 11 Farm Credit Council $4,000 11 National Assn of Convenience Stores $4,000 14 Society of Indep Gasoline Marketers $3,500 15 Grangeville Homes $3,350 16 American Medical Assn $3,000 16 American Society of Anesthesiologists $3,000 16 Caterpillar Inc $3,000 16 Conference of Natl Park Concessioners $3,000 16 Duke Energy $3,000 16 Edison International $3,000 16 Georgia-Pacific Corp $3,000 16 KPMG LLP $3,000 16 Philip Morris $3,000 Money talks... Quote
Fairweather Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 Would you deny these groups the freedom to pool their resources and support their common interests? Do you honestly think those on the other side of this issue haven't taken $$ from a comparable list of sponsors? Quote
scott_harpell Posted November 5, 2003 Posted November 5, 2003 if you dont like their politics... dont use their products... simple as that... Quote
chelle Posted November 5, 2003 Author Posted November 5, 2003 Fairweather said: Is it possible that the people have spoken here? Ever heard of representative government? Is it possible that people actually want to replace a few of the campsites washed away in floods? Is it possible that The Sierra Club doesn't speak for National Parks? It is possible that The Sierra Club is getting a free ride (at taxpayer expense) in YNP that it can use to spread its not-so-always-non-political message ? Hmmm. I wonder why anyone would dare have an opinion that didn't jibe with The Sierra Club. Don't get me wrong here Fairweather. I would love to see more campsites and fewer hotel rooms and $60/night tent cabins. I just don't think tearing down an 100 year old building that is in the historic registry is the right way to gt them. Also, I hate the Sierra Club, but the educational programs they run out of the monument are just about Yos history, John Muir and that sort of stuff from what I know. I don't think they use it as a way to get new members. If he has a problem with the Sierra Club just yank their privaleges for building use, don't demolish it. Quote
Fairweather Posted November 6, 2003 Posted November 6, 2003 ehmmic said: Fairweather said: Is it possible that the people have spoken here? Ever heard of representative government? Is it possible that people actually want to replace a few of the campsites washed away in floods? Is it possible that The Sierra Club doesn't speak for National Parks? It is possible that The Sierra Club is getting a free ride (at taxpayer expense) in YNP that it can use to spread its not-so-always-non-political message ? Hmmm. I wonder why anyone would dare have an opinion that didn't jibe with The Sierra Club. Don't get me wrong here Fairweather. I would love to see more campsites and fewer hotel rooms and $60/night tent cabins. I just don't think tearing down an 100 year old building that is in the historic registry is the right way to gt them. Also, I hate the Sierra Club, but the educational programs they run out of the monument are just about Yos history, John Muir and that sort of stuff from what I know. I don't think they use it as a way to get new members. If he has a problem with the Sierra Club just yank their privaleges for building use, don't demolish it. Agreed. Boot The Sierra Club, and save the building. Sometimes politicians (on all sides) will put forth extreme legislation to make a point or to establish a radical stand from which the inevitable compromise will be more to their liking. Quote
Dan_Harris Posted November 7, 2003 Posted November 7, 2003 This could be interesting. Radanovich and the Sierra Club meeting at the LaConte Lodge and maybe come up with a compromise? http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7703331p-8606706c.html Quote
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