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American Environmental History. The conflict at Hetch Hetchy. Geographic Location. Specific Location. A bit zoomed out. Hetch Hetchy valley in 1908. The Issue. San Francisco wanted water rights to the Tuolume river, to provide water for its growing population. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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American
Environmental HistoryThe conflict at Hetch Hetchy
Geographic Location
Specific Location
A bit zoomed out
Hetch Hetchy valley in 1908
San Francisco wanted water rights to the
Tuolume river, to provide water for its growing population
The Issue
San Francisco 1900, population 342,782 San Francisco 1920, population 506,676
In order to get this water, they needed to
create a reservoir, and in so doing place a dam in the Hetch Hetchy valley.
The city of San Francisco proposed this in 1903.
But…. Hetch Hetchy was protected in Yosemite national park.
So….
Two of the most prominent environmental
figures of the time faced off. At stake was nothing short of the idea of nature.
The Debate
John Muir Gifford Pinchot
In The Left Corner
The Man… The Legend… The Wisconsinite… John Muir
Born in Scotland, moved to Portage Wisconsin
at a young age, founded the Sierra Club. “Dam Hetch Hetchy! As well dam for water-
tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.”
The underlying philosophy: Nature is pristine, and should be preserved for its transcendental qualities; a romantic view of nature.
Also known as Preservationist
Muir
In The Right Corner
The Gentleman… The Scholar… The Forester… Gifford Pinchot
Born in Connecticut, founded the Yale School of
Forestry and the National Forest Service, governor of Pennsylvania.
“whether the advantage of leaving this valley in a state of nature is greater than using it for the benefit of the city of San Francisco.”
The Underlying Philosophy: Favors the use of resources, with a long term outlook – the greatest good, for the most number of people, for the longest time; a utilitarian view of nature.
Also Known as a Conservationist
Pinchot
“Few are altogether deaf to the preaching of
pine trees. Their sermons on the mountains go to our hearts; and if people in general could be got into the woods, even for once, to hear the trees speak for themselves, all difficulties in the way of forest preservation would vanish.” – Muir
Setting aside nature, preserving whole ecosystems for their intrinsic value. Nature is beautiful, let’s save it.
Preservation
“The first great fact about conservation is
that it stands for development. There has been a fundamental misconception that conservation means nothing but the husbanding of resources for future generations.” –Pinchot
The long term use of natural resources. It is unrealistic to set aside all of nature, we should use it all, but in a manner that is sustainable for many decades, and benefits the most amount of people.
Conservation
What should be done about Hetch Hetchy? Should it be dammed? Why? Why not? What does this mean for the rest of nature and
how we think of it? How do humans fit into preservation? How do other species (animals and plants) fit
into conservation?
Now You Debate!
Both Men lobbied their favorite president,
Teddy Roosevelt.
The Result
Dam that river!Don’t dam it!
The project was put on hold, but in 1913
President Woodrow Wilson decided to approve the dam project.
And…
That sounds like a dam good idea!
The O'Shaughnessy
Dam
Hetch Hetchy now
And the debate over the dam continues… The Sierra Club continues to push for theRemoval of the dam and restoration of the original ecosystem.