President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill into law on December 19, 1913. Although the preservationists lost this battle, the damming of the Hetch Hetchy Valley raised public awareness about the importance of preserving nature , and helped justify the creation of the National Park Service in 1916.
What were the environmental consequences when the Hetch Hetchy Valley was dammed?
Dams are controversial among environmentalists, providing water and clean energy—but destroying and fragmenting habitat . A different story is unfolding at Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite National Park, where water is being released to conserve and restore wildlife.
What happened Hetch Hetchy?
Despite opposition from many citizens, including most of the nation's leading newspapers, Congress passed the Raker Act in 1913 allowing the city of San Francisco to destroy Hetch Hetchy . The City built a dam and reservoir, drowning this beautiful valley, even though other less-damaging sites existed.
What decision was made about the Hetch Hetchy dam?
The trial court ruled in San Francisco's favor in 2016, saying that California courts lack jurisdiction over Hetch Hetchy because the dam there was approved by Congress. So Restore Hetch Hetchy filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals in Fresno, which heard arguments from both sides in May of this year.
Who was against the Hetch Hetchy dam?
“Dam Hetch Hetchy!”: John Muir Contests the Hetch-Hetchy Dam
Preservationist and Sierra Club founder John Muir did not testify before Congress, but he argued against the Hetch Hetchy plan in this excerpt from his 1912 book, The Yosemite.
Why should Hetch Hetchy Valley be restored?
to restore the integrity of the National Park System . Never before has a national park been “invaded” in this manner, to provide for the water and electrical “needs” of a municipality; to restore the ecological and biological integrity of Hetch Hetchy Valley — for wildlife (flora and fauna);
Is Hetch Hetchy worth?
Hidden in Yosemite National Park's peaceful northwest corner, Hetch Hetchy Valley is a treasure worth visiting in all seasons . Located at 3,900 feet, Hetch Hetchy boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park and is an ideal place for thundering spring waterfalls and wildflower displays.
Will Hetch Hetchy ever be restored?
As the habitat is restored , animals will migrate home and the twin of Yosemite Valley will re-emerge in the light of the 21st century. Families from around the world will be able to return to Hetch Hetchy Valley year after year to witness a national treasure coming back to life.
Why did they build Hetch Hetchy?
Between 1908 and 1913, Congress debated whether to make a water resource available or preserve a wilderness when the growing city of San Francisco, California proposed building a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley to provide a steady water supply .
Can you swim in Hetch Hetchy?
Water Quality: Swimming and boating are prohibited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in order to maintain a clean source of drinking water. ... Fishing: Fishing is allowed year-round in most lakes and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and part of the year in most rivers and streams.
Who was the biggest opponent of the dam at Hetch Hetchy?
Led by naturalist and mountaineer John Muir , the Sierra Club adamantly opposed the city of San Francisco as it sought permission from the federal government to build a dam in the valley.
Was the Hetch Hetchy Dam Removed?
The removal of the Hetch Hetchy dam and reservoir isn't even in the planning stages yet ; the measure on November's ballot simply asked voters to earmark money for research and design of a new water system to take the place of the reservoir.
Who opposed the Raker bill?
The most prominent figure in the Hetch Hetchy debate was the Sierra Club, and its founder, John Muir . They opposed the Raker Act purely from an environmentalist standpoint. John Muir saw the Hetch Hetchy Valley as a prized natural resource and called it, “one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples”.
Who believed preserving Hetch Hetchy?
A national debate ensued between the preservationist and conservationist factions of the young environmental movement. Preservationists, led by John Muir , believed the valley should be preserved for its inherent aesthetic beauty.
What was the basic controversy in the Hetch Hetchy Valley debate?
What was the basic controversy in the Hetch Hetchy Valley debate? d) All of the above: The Hetch Hetchy Valley was located in Yosemite National Park, Water in the valley was needed for use in San Francisco's municipal water system , & The controversy pitted naturalists against the needs of urban populations.
Where does San Francisco get their water from?
San Francisco draws its water from two major watersheds — the Tuolumne, which includes the Hetch Hetchy reservoir , Cherry Lake and Lake Eleanor, and the Alameda and Peninsula watersheds. Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir located in Yosemite National Park, provides about 85% of the city's water supply.
