With work on the horizon to rewrite the management plan for the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park, park officials are seeking public input on what changes they should consider in the plan.

The last comprehensive plan for the Mineral King Area was completed in 1980. The purpose of this plan is to evaluate recommendations from park-wide planning documents and determine which would be implemented through the Mineral King Management Plan; to address current and future needs related to visitor use, natural and cultural resources protection, and land protection; to provide long-term management direction for the Mineral King area, and; to establish direction and guidance for the protection of the Mineral King Road Cultural Landscape District.

Four meetings are scheduled to help facilitate public involvement and to provide the public with more information on the draft project purpose, needs, and objectives. The meetings will begin with a brief presentation, followed by a question and answer period. The public will then be invited to discuss their interests and concerns with park staff in an open house forum. The NPS is also drafting architectural design guidelines for the Mineral King Cultural Landscape District and a preliminary draft document will be available for review and discussion at the public scoping meetings. If you would like a copy of these draft guidelines once they are ready for public review, please contact Cultural Resource Specialist Tom Burge at (559) 565-3139.

Public Scoping Meetings:

Thursday, May 6, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tulare County Education Center (“The Pit”)
2637 West Burrel
Visalia, CA 93278
559-733-6300

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Three Rivers Union Elementary School Gymnasium
41932 Sierra Drive
Three Rivers, CA 93271
(559) 561-4466

Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Bakersfield College
The Fireside Room (Center of Campus)
1801 Panorama Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93305
(661) 395-4221

Saturday, June 12, 2010, noon to 3 p.m.
Mineral King Valley (exact location to be determined)
Potluck lunch followed by a discussion and question and answer session

If you cannot attend any of the meetings, information and materials related to public scoping will be available online by selecting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website, http://parkplanning.nps.gov/seki, or you may contact Environmental Protection Specialist Nancy Hendricks at (559) 565-3101 for printed versions of the materials. Public comment may also be submitted at this website, or you may direct comments regarding this project to the park in writing by sending an e-mail to [email protected], or by mail or hand delivery to:

Superintendent
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Attn: Mineral King Management Plan
47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time.

All comments must be received by June 30, 2010.