Administration Looks Into Trading Away Yosemite Plot

The Trump administration is weighing a land swap that could carve off a slice of Yosemite National Park for a private developer, park advocates say. Under the deal being floated, the federal government would trade a small part of Yosemite for adjacent property owned by Nevada-based Kingsbarn Realty Capital, which has long sought road access and development rights on the park's western edge. The Interior Department confirmed the idea is under review, the Washington Post reports, but said no decision has been made and denies any secret push to hand over parkland, calling such claims politically driven.

Conservation groups said they've independently verified the talks and warn that any resulting project could clear trees and pave the way for luxury construction near one of America's most visited national parks. Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman, who represents the area, and California's Democratic senators have said they oppose developing the road, per the Guardian. "I will fight this," Huffman said, "both for Yosemite and for every treasured park that would be up for grabs if this domino falls."