The Mineral King Valley is one of the most historic valleys in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, holding prehistoric as well as historic 1870s to early 1900s sites and artifacts. It still maintains a living community begun in 1873 with presently occupied buildings that were constructed from 50 to over 100 years ago. With your help, we can continue to preserve this special valley.
Sequoia National Park is now in the process of creating a Mineral King Management Plan to facilitate the Park’s policies for the next few years. A Cultural Landscape Inventory of historic sites and objects has already been accomplished. This will form a basis for the management plan’s cultural aspects of the valley. Yet to be addressed are environmental, wilderness, recreational, and general management policies of the Park.
The Management Plan development is being led by Christine Smith (the Superintendent's Management Assistant) and Nancy Hendricks (the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Environmental Compliance Specialist), with a part-time writer assisting them. At this time, they are researching Park files of Mineral King management history as a starting basis. However, input from diverse and knowledgeable sources will be important in developing the plan.
An Environmental Impact Assessment will be a strong part of the development of the plan as will maintenance and modification policies for the community’s cabins. The planning team has noted and seems pleased with the recent activities that many cabin owners have taken to upgrade their cabins after some years of neglect during which the longevity of the cabins was uncertain.
Key to the development of the plan will be public input. A required formal comment process will be followed during which only "substantive" comments will be considered (those that present substantiated facts,
well thought out alternatives, and other information of substance).
"Non-substantive" comments such has form letters, petitions, non-specific and non-relevant information will not be considered.
In the past few years, the Park has cooperated with the Mineral King community in water and trash management; the development of educational programs; and compilation of the essential Guide to Repair and Maintenance of Historic Summer Homes with the Mineral King Road Cultural Landscape District.
A constructive and cooperative working relationship involving public, private, and Park interests, is important. The Preservation Society, District Association, user groups, and individual permittees, need to be involved in the development of a Mineral King plan beyond the scope of the public comment period. Groups and individuals that have an on-going interest in the valley must be encouraged to participate throughout the formation of the plan.
By writing a letter requesting public and community involvement, you can help the Park create good working policies for the historical, cultural, and natural conservation of this very special valley. Your input is essential.
Contact the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Three Rivers, CA 93271
Phone: (209) 565-3341
Contact the National Park Service:
National Park Service
Jonathan Jarvis, Director-001
1849 C St. N.W. Washington, DC 20240
Phone: (202) 208-6843
