Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Historic Bridges of Yosemite Valley Under Siege
San Jose Mercury News / ABC News / AP ^ | 7/7/2012 | Tracie Cone

Posted on 07/08/2012 7:46:08 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom

Perhaps no river crossing in Yosemite Valley has been more photographed than the historic Stoneman Bridge: a single, arching span faced with rough-hewn granite that provides a dramatic foreground to Half Dome, the park's most iconic natural marvel.

Yet the 205-foot bridge is slated for possible removal under proposed plans for restoring the natural flow of the Merced River. As a federally designated "Wild and Scenic River," some say its course should be shaped only by nature as it meanders through the valley — and bridge abutments alter that course.

The future of the roughly 80-year-old Stoneman and two other spandrel arch bridges has pitted environmentalists, who want the river to flow freely, against historic preservationists who say these early examples of the rustic park architectural style are too culturally important to destroy.

"We're talking about nationally significant resources in arguably the best-known national park in the world. What happens in Yosemite has echoes throughout the National Park System," said Anthony Veerkamp of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

It's why last month the trust placed the Stoneman and two other Yosemite Valley stone-arch bridges threatened with removal — the Ahwahnee Bridge and the Sugar Pine Bridge — on its 2012 most endangered historic places list.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: agenda21; greenies; idiots; kooks; un21; unagenda21; wackos
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last
The insanity of the left never rests, even for one day. Who really gives a rat's patootie if the river doesn't run "wild and freely" through Yosemite National Park? The river manages just fine running underneath these three bridges. It's not like these structures need to be destroyed to preserve fish runs or some other practical purpose. Their removal is solely so the envirokooks can shove their extremism in our faces and show us who's boss.

Given the radicalism of Obama, I wouldn't be surprised to see these bridges destroyed before January. It's probably ranked high on their agenda.

It's hard to believe that our government once built these magnificent structures. That was before the government types got infected with some bizarre disease.


1 posted on 07/08/2012 7:46:13 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

I only see two choices...leave things like they are....or remove ever essence of modern world items entirely (bridges, roads, paths, hotels, camp grounds, etc).

Make Yosemite Valley the most unused place on the face of the Earth...even by environmentalists.


2 posted on 07/08/2012 7:57:41 AM PDT by pepsionice
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pepsionice

That’s really the two choices we face, isn’t it?
How did such a small number of fanatics get to the position of dictating their whims to us? It’s just like the homo lobby...maybe 2% of the population totally upending millennia of social norms and stability.


3 posted on 07/08/2012 8:06:21 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

The left and the environmentalists are the Talee-bahn of the USA. They would prefer that we revert to pre-industrial revolution America. In essence they are dangerous lunatics with Unicorn farts for brains.


4 posted on 07/08/2012 8:06:33 AM PDT by rhubarbk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

The left disgusts me.

Seems to me that the bridges of Yellowstone are a means of facilitating the intended purpose of the park. In fact, its going on all over the country.

Last time I was at Pictured Rocks national lakeshore some clown handed me a flier promoting closing the roads to private vehicles and using shuttles instead. I told the first ranger I ran into that if such a plan were implemented, I would not return.


5 posted on 07/08/2012 8:06:40 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

They are as bad as the radical Muslims that destroy ancient religious symbols.


6 posted on 07/08/2012 8:07:01 AM PDT by Jvette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pepsionice

I conceded the valley floor to the screeming parents, braty kids (and their trash), Japanese tour busses, pooping dogs long ago, and hoards of pilgrmes up to Half Dome, long ago. There is very little that is peaceful or natural in the valley.

I think the enviros have an uphill battle on this one.


7 posted on 07/08/2012 8:08:20 AM PDT by super7man
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

envirowackies are getting to be like Muzzies who destroy Christian icons and other architectual buildings....I am so SICK of these people.


8 posted on 07/08/2012 8:08:23 AM PDT by goodnesswins (What has happened to America?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

The lunatics truly are running the asylum.


9 posted on 07/08/2012 8:10:07 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pepsionice

How about we compromise and just remove the leftists?


10 posted on 07/08/2012 8:10:32 AM PDT by rockrr (Everything is different now...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

That’s a nice looking bridge.

Wonder what the story is on the little door sized arch on the far side?


11 posted on 07/08/2012 8:13:40 AM PDT by SnuffaBolshevik (In a tornado, even turkeys can fly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom
..... some say its course should be shaped only by nature as it meanders through the valley......

There is the town of Tombstone that wants alter boulders and rock after nature did a number on their water rights.

Since 0bama's son doesn't live in Tombstone they are out of luck!

It is sickening to see the US go back to the time when Mohammad walked the earth.

12 posted on 07/08/2012 8:17:42 AM PDT by TYVets (Pure-Gas.org ..... ethanol free gasoline by state and city)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

The goal: to exclude the unwashed (read non-eviroweenies) from as much public land as possible.


13 posted on 07/08/2012 8:17:42 AM PDT by JimRed (Excising a cancer before it kills us waters the Tree of LibertyI'm st! TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom


We could remove this bridge.
It doesnt fit the natural surroundings.
Perhaps remove people and structures from the surrounding area
and return it to its original pristine state.
14 posted on 07/08/2012 8:19:17 AM PDT by frankenMonkey (This tagline for rent. Inquire within.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom
How did such a small number of fanatics get to the position of dictating their whims to us?

By obtaining substantial control over media and education. If they are not ejected from these ranks soon, it's all over.

15 posted on 07/08/2012 8:20:27 AM PDT by JimRed (Excising a cancer before it kills us waters the Tree of LibertyI'm st! TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

“How did such a small number of fanatics get to the position of dictating their whims to us?”

It started with the creation of the EPA.


16 posted on 07/08/2012 8:21:59 AM PDT by Beagle8U (Free Republic -- One stop shopping ....... It's the Conservative Super WalMart for news .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: frankenMonkey
One of my favorites is the Cut River Bridge in Michigan's upper peninsula. Fortunately its on US 2 and is unlikely to go anywhere.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
17 posted on 07/08/2012 8:25:11 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

How about they work on Hetch Hetchy first? Same park. Much bigger impact, since they flooded a whole valley to do it. Some claim a prettier valley than the one in question here.


18 posted on 07/08/2012 8:29:20 AM PDT by T. P. Pole
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: frankenMonkey

Life After People says it’ll fall down in a few hundred years when we’re gone, from lack of maintenance. See UN Agenda 21...


19 posted on 07/08/2012 8:30:42 AM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed &water the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS, NOW & FOREVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: SnuffaBolshevik
either maximum span of a stone arch that height had been reached and the bridge wasn’t long enough.
Or the site does not facilitate the use of two large stone arches due to bed rock issues.Two arches would have ruined the view
Or they where just laying around somewhere and the architect thought they would look nice in this bridge.
:)
20 posted on 07/08/2012 8:31:36 AM PDT by moose07 (The truth will out, one day.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson