Brian H. Ouzounian
C/O Ouzounian Constructors, Inc.
Email: brian.oci@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 310-838-3571 Facsimile: 310-838-8594
October 6, 2007
Michael J. Tollefson
Superintendent and
Planning Staff
Re: Petitions supporting Camping
in
Dear Mr. Tollefson and Planning Staff:
This letter covers the attached petitions by visitors of
the Park in support of family camping in Yosemite Valley and, on their behalf,
I am hand delivering them to you for inclusion in all your plans to include,
but not limited to, all Merced River Plans, the Yosemite Valley Plan, the
Utilities Plan, the upcoming Comprehensive Transportation Plan, etc. There are
approximately 500 hand signatures and 1020 electronic signatures to total
approximately 1500 signatures—and growing. The idea for the petitions
originated from a discussion with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Office in 2005. I
have been active in the issues surrounding family camping in Yosemite Valley
for at least 27 years, if not longer, and my passion for the issues are supported by both the
signers of the petition and their heartfelt comments. What these documents
represent is the input that the Park has failed to solicit starting
with the 1980 General Management Plan and every plan thereafter. The
petition will be kept open for continuing signatures until an undefined date to
allow all those wishing to express their views to have the opportunity. You can
access and review the petition and comments via our website at any time: www.yosemitevalleycampers.org
We are also requesting that you re-open all elements of
the Merced River Plan, including management zoning, as you undergo this
latest revision. Part of establishing a user capacity for the
Please be aware that this same package has been delivered
to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer as well as U.S. Representative
George Radanovich. The press has also been kept appraised.
On behalf of all the families that have asked our
coalition to speak for them, I am asking you to include these petitions in
hopes that we can work together to both preserve the Merced River AND a quality
Yosemite Valley family camping experience for this and future generations.
_____________________
Brian
H. Ouzounian
Co-Founder
Encl.
Cc:
Angela
Caldera: Co-Founder YVCC
Shelly
Abajian: Office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
Ameen Khan:
Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
Chris
Valadez: Office of U.S. Representative George
Radanovich
Darren
Rose: Office of U.S. Representative George Radanovich
Eric
Bailey:
Mike
Gardner:
Mark Grossi:
Chuck
Squatriglia: San Francisco Chronicle
Dan
Carter:
Judy
Muller: PBS-California Connected
Rick
Wilkerson: PBS-California Connected