Public scoping is under way as Yosemite National Park officials begin work on an updated wilderness management plan/Kurt Repanshek

Changing use patterns, how best to manage hikers, backpackers, and stock, and improvements in trail design and construction have Yosemite National Park officials embarking on a path to update their Wilderness Stewardship Plan.

The park's wilderness areas currently are managed under a plan adopted in 1989. To help design a new plan, public comments regarding what should be included are being taken by the park through January 29.

The updated plan will provide management direction and a framework that preserves wilderness character in Yosemite. Qualities of wilderness character include: 1) natural, 2) opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation, 3) undeveloped, 4) untrammeled, and 5) other features of value, including scientific, educational, scenic or historical values. This planning effort will also incorporate new policy direction for wilderness management. Finally, the plan will determine the extent to which commercial services will be conducted in the Yosemite Wilderness.

A public scoping meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at REI Berkeley (1338 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94702) to review the goals of the planning effort and to provide an opportunity for the public to interact directly with park staff. Another scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, from noon-2 p.m. in the Yosemite Valley Auditorium. Additionally, webinars will be held on Wednesday, December 16, from noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, January 6, 2016, from noon-1 p.m., and Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 6 p.m.-7:00 p.m. More information can be found at this website.



Public comments regarding the issues being addressed, alternative ways to approach them, and other feedback regarding the planning process may be submitted online through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.



For more information about the Wilderness Stewardship Plan and how to get involved, you can visit the Yosemite Wilderness Stewardship webpage.