Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act
Impact
One of the notable impacts of HB 519 is its potential to increase visitor engagement with the natural resources of Yosemite National Park through a structured expansion of recreational opportunities. By allowing camping and swimming, the bill might boost local tourism and provide a much-needed economic stimulus to nearby communities. However, the legislation also imposes requirements on how recreational activities should not harm the operation of facilities associated with the dams in the areas, which will require careful management by the National Park Service to balance recreation with infrastructure integrity.
Summary
House Bill 519, titled the Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act, proposes amendments to the Act of December 19, 1913, with the primary aim of expanding recreational access to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas. The bill emphasizes enhancing public utilization of these areas while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of their scenic and historical significance. It seeks to establish guidelines for approved recreational activities such as swimming, camping, and the use of non-motorized watercraft, making these areas more accessible for visitors seeking leisure activities in nature.
Contention
While the bill promotes increased recreational access, there could be areas of contention related to the management of natural resources and the potential ecological impacts. Critics may raise concerns regarding the implications of greater human activity in sensitive ecosystems, particularly in the context of wildfire prevention and management. Furthermore, the bill necessitates an analysis of revenue collection and fund allocation to ensure equitable access while covering maintenance and support costs, which may lead to debates on how best to balance funding with public access.
Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness ActThis bill modifies the Raker Act, which allowed San Francisco to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley within Yosemite National Park, to (1) increase the annual rent San Francisco pays to the National Park Service (NPS), and (2) direct the NPS to expand public access to the reservoir and lake created by the dam.Specifically, the bill increases rent paid by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for the use of the park from $30,000 to $2 million per year. That amount must be adjusted annually to reflect increases in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The commission may not recoup such sums from wholesale water or power customers. The bill allows collected rent to be used by the Department of the Interior for wildfire mitigation activities in the park and other national parks in California.The bill also requires the NPS to administer the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas for public recreation, benefit, and use in a manner that will preserve scenic, historic, scientific, or otherwise important features.