MERG HISTORY

Mariposans for Environmentally Responsible Growth (MERG) was founded in 1989 from an ad hoc group concerned about the impacts of a cyanide heap leach mining operation on the verge of the Merced River. A cyanide roaster, an extremely toxic mechanism, was planned. MERG gathered facts about the risks of the project and disseminated them to the public and the county officials. The mine did not go forward.

The organization formalized its status by covering meetings of the board of supervisors, the planning commission, the utility district, and the LAFCo. This allowed us to take the pulse of the county.

In 1990, we discovered that the Brown Act had been misinterpreted in Mariposa County. We had it corrected so that the public was allowed to speak at the start of the supervisorial meetings on items on or off the agenda.

In 1990 two MERG board members were appointed to the Community Wide Economic Development Committee to study industrial and commercial zoning, as well as home industry. Recommendations were made in a report of 1993.

MERG participated in the Whitcomb study in the early '90s which revealed that maintenance of rural character, and the environment were the most important issues for the citizens of the county. A later repeat study verified the findings.

We strongly supported the designation of Highway 140 as Scenic, and the new Mariposa Town Specific Plan. But we strongly opposed the attempt to use Redevelopment in Mariposa Town as the history of such ventures was dismal in California, and residents' properties would be liened. Hundreds of Mariposans came to the public meetings after a MERG alert, and the project failed to get approval.

Two studies presented to the county failed to gain backing, but were significant MERG efforts. They were " The Outline for a Comprehensive, Community-Determined Master Plan for Resource-Protective Development in Mariposa County," and "Suggested Policies and Development Standards for Specific Plans and Large Developments".

1994 brought the Las Mariposas project, a giant residential and commercial development next to the airport. Insufficient water, airport viability, and traffic impacts were the main concerns which defeated the plan.

Local bird and wildflower compilations were done and made available to residents and visitors.

In the latter '90s, the National Park Service (NPS) in Yosemite embarked on a series of development projects without appropriate National Environmental Policy Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act procedures. It was necessary to resort to a lawsuit to get the NPS to develop the twelve year delayed Merced River Plan, which the courts deem still invalid. Litigation is on-going.

In mid-2004 a decision was made to rename the organization to Mariposans for the Environment and Responsible Government as this would be more reflective of our activities in recent years.

The early years of the 21st century have been devoted to a revision of the Mariposa County General Plan. This is currently in progress and critical decisions will be made about the future of the county. All citizens of Mariposa should become involved. Get informed and make your voice heard.