Wildlife, sport and activities, sometimes all at once

The National Park Service is considering the construction of a housing duplex at the Hodgdon Meadow area of Yosemite National Park, the park service annoounced on Friday, July 13.

Hogdon Meadow is one of the western entrances to Yosemite on Rte. 12, the Tioga Road. It is the gateway to Mammoth for visitors from the Bay Area and the Sacramento Valley.

"The duplex would replace a three-bedroom trailer that was in poor condition and did not meet acceptable housing standards," said Adrienne Freeman of the park service.

"It posed serious health and safety risks with electrical, plumbing, and heating deficiencies."

Consequently,the trailer was removed from the park and is no longer in use, she said.

The new duplex would help maintain suitable employee housing in Yosemite National Park. The shortage is most acute in the Mather District, which includes Hodgdon Meadow.

The park identified Hodgdon Meadow area as an appropriate area for residential and administrative facilities development in the 1980 General Management Plan.

The park service is also considering replacing the well water disinfection system, she said.

"Low pH values in the drinking water are causing copper piping and lead solder to leach into the drinking water. Consequently, drinking water is above California Department of Health Services levels.

"The new system would increase pH values, thereby reducing corrosiveness of the well water and improving drinking water to within California standards."

Freeman said a public meeting will take place during the Public Comment and Review Period at the park's monthly Open House on Wednesday, July 25,from 1-5 p.m. in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium.