8/21/2003

From: alra@governance.net
Subject: Yosemite Gates      Volunteers Needed Labor Day Weekend

Land Rights Network
American Land Rights Association
PO Box 400 – Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: 360-687-3087 – Fax: 360-687-2973 – E-mail: alra@landrights.org
Web Address: http://www.landrights.org
Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE – Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-210-2357 – Fax: 202-543-7126 – E-mail: landrightsnet@aol.com

Yosemite Gates      Volunteers Needed Labor Day Weekend


*****See Special Contact Information Below*****

*****See Natural Resource Summit Reminder Below*****


Visitors and Communities for an Open Yosemite is holding their third “Greeters At The Gates” program at the entrances to Yosemite National Park for four days over Labor Day Weekend.

Volunteers over July 4th  included Yosemite Indians, the Yosemite Campers Coalition, climbers, ranchers, and local families and interested citizens covered the three main gates to Yosemite with a blanket of information.   

The massive Yosemite forced busing plan must be stopped.  Also the plan to close 75% of the parking and 60% of the campsites that were available under the 1980 General Management Plan.  That means that 3500 parking spaces are being reduced to 550.  That 800 campsites are being reduced to 340.

Labor Day we start on Friday, August 29th, and go through Saturday, Sunday and even Monday, September 1st, we’ll again gather at the gates to educate the public about the terrible effects of the Yosemite Valley Plan.

Volunteers are need urgently.  Please look at the dates below.  Respond back by e-mail or phone to let us know when you can participate.  A special thank you to those who have already committed to helping.  Ask your friends and neighbors if they can help.

This will be our last big chance until next spring to show the public that 80% of the California public does not want to see campsites closed, parking shut down and families forced to ride buses in Yosemite.

Friday, August 29th.  Times:  8 to 11, 11 to 2, 2 to 5, 5 to 8

Saturday, August 30th.  Times:  8 to 11, 11 to 2, 2 to 5

Sunday, August 31st.  Times:   8 to 11, 11 to 2

Monday, September 1st.  Times:  8 to 11, 11 to 2


CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Chuck Cushman will be available at (360) 687-3087 until Tuesday, August 26th at approximately 11:00 AM.  After that he’ll be available on his cell phone until Wednesday night, August 27th.  That number is (360) 607-3312.  Then he’ll be available on a special phone at (209) 762-7643 until Monday, September 1st.  After about 3:00 PM Monday he’ll be back on the cell phone headed home.

His e-mail address during the weekend is ccushman@landrights.org.


NATURAL RESOURCE SUMMIT

Come to the Natural Resource Summit at the Fairgrounds in Sonora. 

The Fairgrounds are located on Highway 49 about a mile north of Highway 108.


Hosted by Congressman George Radanovich and Assemblyman Dave Cogdill.


FRIDAY, AUGUST 22ND From 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

Registration starts at 8:00 AM with the program starting at 9:00 AM



SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Mark Rey – Under Secretary of Agriculture.  He is in charge of the U. S. Forest Service for the Department of Agriculture.   He’ll talk about Healthy Forests and other issues.

Jack Blackwell – Regional Forester for Region 5, U. S. Forest Service.  

George Radanovich – U. S. Congress

Dave Cogdill – California Assembly

Nancy Whittle – Cattlerancher

Marvin Penner – Supervisor of Natural Resource Management – Pacific Gas and Electric.

Phil Aune – Vice President – California Forestry Association

Dr. Thomas M. Bonnicksen – Professor of Forest Sciences – Texas A&M University.



ISSUES LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERED:

Sierra Nevada Framework – Ecosystem Plan – Forest Service – Nancy Whittle and Jack Blackwell.  Mark  Rey may be part of this discussion as well as others.

Yosemite Valley Plan – If this issue does not come up formally, you can ask questions of key speakers.  Focus the spotlight on the Yosemite Valley Plan as well as the Sierra Nevada Framework and saving your homes from fire – Forest Health.

PGE Resource Management – Marvin Penner

“Forest Health – Forests, growth, drought, climate change, people, insects, disease, and fires.”  -- Phil Aune.

“Fortress Mentality Won’t Protect Communities from Fire” – Tom Bonnicksen.

The Big Picture:  Past, Present and Future. – Congressman Radanovich.


Visitors and Communities for an Open Yosemite and the American Land Rights Association will be represented.  There will be a booth to pick up information.

For more information call Assemblyman Dave Cogdills office at (209) 576-6425.  Ask for Jaime Dykzeul.  


PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE BY E-MAIL OR FAX.


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