A good use of funds to determine if one of the most beautiful valleys in the country can be re-opened while still allowing adequate water supply from it’s river.
In the ongoing dam versus river discussions going on around the country, let us hope they remain based on a balance between water supply and flood protection needs versus the value of the land covered or uncovered.
The comparison between the Auburn Dam, the only option providing 500 year flood protection and needed water supply, while flooding a relatively average river canyon versus that of Hetch Hetchy is, or should be, obvious.
Hetch Hetchy debate reborn
Foes in Congress call $7 million restoration study bid short-lived.
By Michael Doyle - Bee Washington Bureau
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, February 8, 2007
The Bush administration's quiet request for $7 million to study restoring the Hetch Hetchy Valley -- which Sierra Club founder John Muir dubbed "Yosemite's twin" -- keeps a controversy flowing, but probably not for long.
This week, the administration slid the Hetch Hetchy study money into its overall Interior Department budget proposal. If Congress approves it, it would pay for research into the environmental and economic consequences of removing Hetch Hetchy's O'Shaughnessy Dam.
"We are extremely pleased that the federal government has seen fit to become a full partner with California in the Hetch Hetchy restoration-study process," said Ron Good, executive director of the Sonora organization Restore Hetch Hetchy.
Almost certainly, the pleasure will be short-lived.
"It's dead on arrival," Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, said Wednesday. "It's a complete surprise, and I don't support one bit of it."
Hetch Hetchy Valley broke Muir's heart. He bitterly fought San Francisco's plans to flood the valley for a reservoir, finally losing when Congress passed a 1913 law.
Ever since, environmentalists -- and others -- periodically have suggested removing the dam.
Fifteen miles north of Yosemite Valley, the original Hetch Hetchy Valley was known for magnificent waterfalls and high-rising cliffs.
