(#164836) To preserve from defacement and promote the use of the Yosemite Valley. [By] Wm. Ham. Hall, State Engineer. WILLIAM HAMMOND HALL.

To preserve from defacement and promote the use of the Yosemite Valley. [By] Wm. Ham. Hall, State Engineer. Sacramento: State Office, J. D. Young, Supt. State Printing, 1882. 24.5 cm, pp. [1-5] 6-30 [31-32: blank], original light blue gray wrappers printed in black, untrimmed, sewn. First edition. Of the many problems faced by the Yosemite Commissioners, none proved to be more trying than the management of the valley floor. For assistance in determining future policy, the commissioners engaged California's state engineer to conduct a survey of the grant. Hall made the following recommendations: (1) The grant should be enlarged to include the watershed surrounding the valley and that logging and grazing in the area should be terminated (2) The valley's waterways should be improved to reduce natural erosion (3) All suitable land in the valley should be irrigated and cultivated for grass and hay for the use of the hotel and saddle concessionaires (4) Views should be improved by cutting trees and clearing away unsightly underbrush: "Certainly you should be safe from censure if, in opening out the views, caring for the full development of the timber, and clearing up the more unsightly parts of the valley lands of the Yosemite, you apply the axe right freely" and (5) The improvement of existing facilities for human comfort, including the installation of sturdy bridges and dwellings preferably constructed of stone, and the construction of safe wagon roads and foot paths. Most of the report's recommendations were carried out, which brought the commissioners under attack from those with different ideas as to the management of the grant. The two most controversial recommendations were those calling for tree cutting and for the cultivation of the meadows. The controversy helped lead to the creation of a national park and the eventual recession of the valley to the federal government. See Runte (1990), pp. 41-44. Currey and Kruska 135. Overlapping edges of wrappers a bit frayed and chipped, but basically a fine copy. Common in California libraries, but rare in commerce. (#164836).

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