Hetch Hetchy Study confirms restoration is achievable

Wolk urges private and public interests to study restoration' s benefits, alternative water storage

SACRAMENTO–The Department of Water Resources today released the Schwarzenegger administration’s analysis of existing research on the feasibility of restoring Yosemite National Park’s Hetch Hetchy Valley. Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), who along with Assemblymember Joe Canciamilla (D-Pittsburgh) urged the Governor to consider restoring the valley, praised the study’s assertion that restoration is possible and called on state and federal leaders to begin filling in the major information gaps identified by the review.

“There is no longer a question of whether restoring Hetch Hetchy is possible,” said Wolk. “This study confirms that it is within our reach to restore Yosemite Valley’s lost twin, without compromising California’s long term water and power supply. It also lays the groundwork for further investigation of the water storage and power generation alternatives to O’Shaughnessy Dam.”

The administration’s Hetch Hetchy Study found that alternative sources of water and power for Northern California exist, confirming the results of previous studies conducted by groups including Environmental Defense, U.C. Davis, and Restore Hetch Hetchy—though the administration offered a wider range of potential restoration costs.

Wolk, who chairs the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, urged stakeholders to keep an open mind and consider the benefits of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley, which was dammed and flooded in 1923 to supply water and hydropower to the San Francisco Bay Area.

“The important thing to take away from this study is that restoring Hetch Hetchy is within our grasp,” said Wolk. “The technology is available to modify this water system and maintain a reliable, safe, and affordable supply of water and power, while simultaneously reclaiming a national treasure that’s been submerged in 300 feet of water for nearly 100 years. Yosemite is one of our country’s most popular national parks, and we have the opportunity to revive a spectacular valley within the park whose massive waterfalls, domes and cliffs carved in solid granite have been compared to those in Yosemite Valley, and begin working on a plan to restore the valley.

“This isn’t the first time the state has changed its tack on water issues to reclaim a natural resource,” she continued. “When siphoning Mono Lake to meet Los Angeles city’s water needs began destroying the lake’s ecosystem, public outcry led to state and national protection of the lake. It’s time we reconsidered the decision to dam Hetch Hetchy.

“This study has strengthened my belief that Hetch Hetchy must be a part of ongoing discussions on California’s water supply. This issue doesn’t stand alone, but is part of a bigger picture. I applaud the Schwarzenegger administration for having the courage to conduct this study, and hope that all stakeholders, including the federal government, which is responsible for our national parks, will seize this opportunity. This issue won’t be resolved overnight, but will undoubtedly require a determined, ongoing effort. I look forward to working with both private and public interests on this historic endeavor,” concluded Wolk.