MARIPOSANS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

Thank you for visiting our web site.  Our organization is primarily devoted to maintaining and improving the quality of life in Mariposa County. We also are interested in regional, state-wide, and federal issues that have an impact in our local area.  The pictures below are reminders of the natural treasures that we have and the value of preserving them.  We hope you find the information here of benefit and  welcome your feedback.


 Yosemite National Park, three brothersMERG was incorporated in 1989 for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information about an open pit, cyanide heap leach mine with cyanide roaster proposed for Mariposa County. When the facts became known, it was clear that this project was a major environmental and health threat. It did not go forward, but MERG did, continuing to evaluate other projects and issues.  MERG seeks to lay out the pros and cons of issues so that county residents can make informed decisions about their future.  This is done through our website, our newsletter, and public news media as may be appropriate. 

Some of the more significant undertakings of MERG have been implementation of the Brown Act at Supervisors' meetings, evaluation of the risks and benefits of a redevelopment proposal, fact finding on Clean Water Grant project reform of the 1872 Mining Law, sponsorship of the Foothill Mining Conference, publicizing the unmitigatable environmental impacts of a large development project, advocating Wild and Scenic status for the Merced River, making recommendations in regard to industrial zoning in the County, encouraging our Supervisors to follow CEQA in this process, and successful litigation with the National Park Service to force the production of the twelve year overdue Merced River Plan. 

Merced River, Yosemite National Park Our purpose is to inform the public and decision makers about environmental issues so that the best choices can be made for a sustainable high quality of life for present and future Mariposans as change comes to our community. Our environment and our economy are intimately linked as in most Sierran counties.  The underlying principles of MERG are to inform and educate the community as to issues that affect our environment, to conduct scientific research within our capabilities in furtherance of our education and information mission, and to observe and report on local government issues, efficiency, and effectiveness.


MERG is a California corporation organized under paragraph 501c of the Internal El Capitan, Yosemite National PArk, mountain climbing  Revenue Code.  It is actively governed by a board of directors all of whom are MERG members.  Membership is available to all residents of Mariposa County and we encourage anyone who is interested to inquire further about joining us.  Meetings are normally held each Monday at 9:00 a.m. and are open to those citizens who may have a desire to attend.  Please contact us to obtain the current location as we normally meet in private homes and the location is subject to change.  

The magnificent picture of Tuolumne Meadows at the top of this page is courtesy of Mr. Al Kudela, a resident of Mariposa and a talented photographer. 

 

 

 

07/05/2006