The Pros And Cons Of Yosemite National Park

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Imagine a scenic, wild landscape with animals that roam freely, cascading waterfalls, and mountains that seem to scrape the pale blue sky. This is what one thinks when first hearing the name Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately, the reality is completely opposite. Yosemite is now under a federally regulated Class 1 area under the Clean Air Act, which is equivalent to the pollution of Los Angeles (“National Parks Service”). It is a sad comparison to the past John Muir, who first documented Yosemite Valley, to today’s reality. The condition of Yosemite National Park should be introduced to the American public in order to protect its historic beauty and significance, eliminate current pollution, and prevent future repercussions. In …show more content…

Current research is being conducted by the National Parks Service to better understand the patterns of invasive plants on the Park, including sagebrush and cheat grass. Yosemite has announced that air quality on their worst days is unlikely to improve until California State’s regulations take effect (“National Parks Service”). More eco-friendly tours and car banning could be cut down in the future to remove some of the tropospheric ozone. Fire awareness is also sweeping through Yosemite, especially in the camping areas, which would cut down wild fires and excess smoke. “In Yellowstone, fires are historically less frequent, but more intense”, this is simply not the case in Yosemite (“PBS”). Effects on animals and plants are also in the Rangers’ alerts. It is unfortunate that “…visitors feed the rodents and birds so much junk food they no longer eat fragile alpine vegetation and drop the seeds so the plants spread” (Robbins 191). Warnings to not feed the animals, throwing away trash, and recycling when possible are posted throughout the Park. Yosemite has a full research team that monitors damage and conceive ideas to reduce the pollution. One final solution to Yosemite’s problem can come from the limitation of human entrance. “It should have happened by now. Visitation to Yosemite should have …show more content…

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