I didn't realize the river needed permission to change its course.
I know you're just pulling my moose leg here but I'll pretend otherwise...
Yes, the river needs a permit to chart a new course, or more accurately, to stop people from taking action to save property and keep it where it is. Some would love to see the mighty Merced River destroy all signs of human presence thereby restoring Yosemite Valley to a wild and scenic hidden paradise with only a rough foot path from Modesto. That might sound great to a hiker, but think of how many people want to protect wilderness after experiencing Yosemite, even if it is on a paved trail with an ice cream cone. This is the best outdoor experience many people get. Or maybe they think the river can just jump around willy nilly and 3 million people can cross on log rafts each year whereever the river happens to be. What are they thinking, taking out the bridges? And why is Yosemite Park being governed so much by the Merced River anyway? The river is a great asset, but who goes there to see the river meander through the valley? We're not talking about the waterfalls or wild portions upstream and downstream of the valley, they want to take out the historic bridges in the valley.
There is a fringe element out there who would like the river to do their bulldozing for them like the flood of '97 destroying campgrounds, but I hope the plans are more reasonable than that. I better stop venting and read the plans.
