Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. The Trump administration is considering a plan to let a developer use a chunk of Yosemite National Park land, and let me tell you, it’s got a lot of people riled up. The National Park Service is looking at a land exchange between a private Nevada-based developer, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, and the park. The developer wants to build a road that would give easier access to an 83-acre plot of land where it plans to build a small village of homes and retail property. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live in Yosemite, right? But seriously, this has raised concerns about privatizing some of the country’s most cherished landmarks.
The developer’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, says it’s a 25-mile drive along public roads to the plot, and they want to build a shorter access road that would cut through what’s now park land. But the National Park Service doesn’t have the legal authority to just grant the land to Kingsbarn, so they’re trying to work around it. The Department of Interior says there’s been no political pressure to reach a decision, but I’m not sure I buy that.
The proposal has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, national park advocates, and even rock climbers like Alex Honnold, who called the move “insane.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Trump is “hellbent on destroying everything that is sacred and beautiful about this country.” I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I get why people are upset. The idea of selling off parts of our national parks to private developers is a tough pill to swallow.
Kingsbarn’s CEO, Jeff Pori, has made donations to Trump’s campaign, which has raised some eyebrows. But the company says it didn’t discuss the proposal with the White House. I’m not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that they’re trying to build a luxury development in Yosemite or that they think they can get away with it without anyone noticing.
The National Parks Conservation Association is vowing to take action to protect Yosemite, and Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman of California is raising concerns about the precedent this would set. He says our parks belong to all of us and should be protected for every generation, not sold off to wealthy friends of Trump’s. I think that’s a fair point.
In the end, it’s hard to say what will happen with this proposal. But one thing’s for sure – it’s got a lot of people talking. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll have luxury condos in Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon too. Wouldn’t that be something? As I finish my coffee, I’m left wondering what’s next for our national parks. Will we see more attempts to privatize these public lands, or will the outrage be enough to stop it? Only time will tell, but for now, I’m just going to enjoy my coffee and appreciate the beauty of Yosemite – while it’s still untouched.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
