Environmental Defense Welcomes State Review Of Hetch Hetchy Studies

July 14, 2005

(July 14, 2005 - Sacramento, CA) The restoration of one of the world’s most spectacular natural landscapes — Hetch Hetchy Valley — will move one step closer to reality today when California’s Resources Agency hosts a historic public workshop to present an initial review of studies that could lead to the restoration of the submerged valley.

Hetch Hetchy was called a ‘wonderfully exact counterpart’ of Yosemite Valley by none other than John Muir, who fought to ensure that the valley was protected as part of Yosemite National Park. Like Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy was carved by glaciers that left a serene mountain meadow, a flowing Tuolumne River, monumental rock features similar to Half Dome and waterfalls like Yosemite Falls.

But Hetch Hetchy Valley has been submerged beneath 300 feet of water since the early 20th century after San Francisco was granted special permission to build a dam in a national park.

“I can’t imagine a greater natural gift to the American people,” said Tom Graff, Environmental Defense California regional director. “Today marks an essential first step toward the restoration of Yosemite’s second crown jewel.”

“Environmental Defense understands that any final solution must be crafted in a public forum that includes all the communities that rely on the Tuolumne River for water and power as well as the broader public,” Graff said. “We know that restoration of Hetch Hetchy deserves extensive review. There has been a lot of concern expressed by stakeholders like the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and we encourage everyone involved to focus on the facts and keep an open mind.”

Today’s workshop is the State’s first public event since a review was ordered in November 2004, six weeks after Environmental Defense launched its seminal report Paradise Regained: Solutions for Restoring Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley. The full report and executive summary as well as an interactive tour of Hetch Hetchy Valley are available for download at: www.discoverhetchhetchy.org.

Hetch Hetchy and other reservoirs in the upper Tuolumne River watershed are owned and operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which provides water not only to San Francisco residents but to other Bay Area communities as well. Downstream, the Tuolumne’s waters benefit Turlock, Modesto and surrounding towns. “We have shown, beyond a doubt, that the storage in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is a minor part of the overall system, and solutions are available to replace it without storing water in Yosemite National Park,” said Spreck Rosekrans, senior analyst for Environmental Defense. “The challenge before us now is to find ways to assure the various water agencies and the people they serve that they will not be hurt if the reservoir is drained and the valley is restored.”

In Paradise Regained, Environmental Defense not only proposes water supply solutions that maintain or even enhance water quality, but also makes recommendations for replacing a small portion of San Francisco’s hydropower — without increasing greenhouse gas emissions. “We’re confident that the State’s review will ultimately address the cost of power replacement and provide assurances that consumers will continue to drink high quality water,” said Dr. Nancy Ryan, senior economist for Environmental Defense. “Safe water and clean power can be delivered while restoring a natural wonder. We believe that, as the costs and benefits are further investigated, the public will decide that the investment in restoration is a worthwhile and lasting legacy for their children and grandchildren.”

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.