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PUBLIC MEETING SET FOR YOSEMITE GROUNDWATER PROTECTION

Release Date: 5/22/1998
Contact Information: Dave Schmidt, U.S. EPA, (415)744-1578

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE  (209) 372-0529

     The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) and the California Department of Health Services (DHS), is sponsoring a public meeting to discuss plans for protecting the groundwater in Yosemite National Park. The park's groundwater serves as the primary source of drinking water for Yosemite's millions of visitors and employees.

    The meeting will be held Monday, June 8, 1998 at 1:00 p.m. in Yosemite National Park.  Interested parties will have an opportunity to discuss groundwater protection with representatives from U.S. EPA, NPS, and DHS.

    Currently these three agencies are collecting information to determine Yosemite Valley's source water area and any possible contaminating activities. This data will be presented at the public meeting to generate potential management and public education approaches.

    NPS and DHS are working to develop a model Source Water Protection Program with an emphasis on groundwater. Results of this innovative program will assist DHS in protecting groundwater in California. Protecting groundwater is a high priority since over 50% of the state's population relies on groundwater as its main source of drinking water. The program is supported in part by a grant from the U.S. EPA.

    Anyone interested in attending the public meeting should make a reservation by Friday, June 5, 1998. To do so, or to get more information about the agenda and the location, please contact John C. Clark at (209)379-1039 or fax (209)379-1037. For more information on U.S. EPA, contact Dave Schmidt at (415)744-1578 or on DHS, contact Ken August at (916)657-3064.