SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal district court judge has ordered ahalt to a broad slate of renovation projects in Yosemite Valley,stepping anew into a battle over the human imprint on one ofAmerica's most heavily visited cathedrals of nature.
In a 25-page written ruling, Judge Anthony Ishii in Fresno ordereda halt to nine construction projects - including roadwork, hotelrenovations and new RV sites - that are part of a long-planned $423million upgrade of long-neglected visitor facilities.
Park officials say the projects are being held hostage bylitigation brought by "fringe" environmental groups.
"These are projects the public has told us they want," said ScottGediman, a park spokesman.
Greg Adair of Friends of Yosemite Valley said the legal fight isnecessary to turn back the clock on environmental degradation whilethwarting a shift to upscale hotel rooms, reduction of family campingand prices that could push average Americans away.
Ishii's decision, issued Friday, marked the second time in recentyears that environmental groups have won court victories to halt thepark's ambitious construction schedule.
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