Mariposa supervisor seeks county authorization to pursue new MOU language on Wawona water; community pushes for groundwater study

Supervisor Rosemary Smallcomb asked Wawona’s advisory committee to advise whether the County should seek authorization from the Board of Supervisors to negotiate a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yosemite National Park over water and wastewater service language.

The request centered on draft MOU text that Smallcomb described as reflecting the park’s 2022 proposed changes. “My very strong belief is that [the proposed language] is not going to be as it was outlined for 2022,” Smallcomb said, urging the committee to give feedback before she asks the board for staff resources to pursue negotiations.

Why it matters: Wawona property owners have relied for decades on an expectation that the National Park Service would provide wastewater service to private parcels. Committee members said recent park proposals and solicitor reviews have introduced uncertainty about both wastewater and potable water commitments, and that uncertainty affects property owners’ ability to plan, build or sell.

Technical testimony and options

Jim Stahl, who submitted written…