What is the Merced River Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement?
In 1987, the Merced River was designated a Wild and Scenic River, which affords it special protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This designation also requires the managing agency (in this case, the National Park Service) to prepare a comprehensive management plan for the river and its immediate environment. Eighty-one miles of the Merced River, including its headwaters along the Sierra crest, flow within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park and the El Portal Administrative Site and are the subject of the Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (known collectively as the Merced River Plan/FEIS). The purpose of this document is to provide direction and guidance on how best to manage national park lands within the river corridor for the protection and enhancement of what the Act refers to as “Outstandingly Remarkable Values” (ORVs). Once completed, the Merced River Plan will become a foundation for future implementati
