Restore Hetch Hetchy

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Environmental Group Letter Supporting Funding to Study Restoration

March 12, 2007

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Restore Hetch Hetchy - Environmental Defense - Sierra Club - National Wildlife Federation - Earthjustice - Friends of the Earth - Clean Water Action - Natural Heritage Institute - The Bay Institute - Northern California Council, Federation of Fly Fishers - Planning and Conservation League - South Yuba River Citizens League - Mono Lake Committee - Sierra Nevada Alliance - Tuolumne River Trust

March 12, 2007

Members, House of Representatives
United States Senators

Re: Funding to study restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park

Dear Senators and House Members:

Please support an appropriation of $7 million for the Department of the Interior to study the restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, as proposed in the President?s budget. These funds are only for study.

Hetch Hetchy Valley was created thousands of years ago when glaciers descending California's Sierra Nevada left behind a spectacular setting of mountain meadows surrounded by towering granite cliffs and thundering waterfalls. In 1890, Hetch Hetchy was protected for all Americans as part of Yosemite National Park. Twenty three years later, however, Congress authorized the construction of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. Today such an intrusion on a national park would be inconceivable.

In 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger?s administration released a review of recent studies proposing restoration of Hetch Hetchy. The State review called replacement of the reservoir feasible, and proposed further studies with increased involvement of the Federal government. The President?s budget responds to the Governor?s request for federal participation.

We believe that a cooperative effort among interested parties, with federal sponsorship, would provide the best forum for studying a potential restoration plan. We understand that any restoration plan must assure that all water and power replacement supplies are operational before restoration can begin. The plan must provide a reliable supply of high-quality water to San Francisco and other Bay Area cities and replace the hydropower that would be lost. Equally important, a restoration plan must also protect other intertwined interests, including the Modesto and Turlock Irrigation Districts? water rights, as well as recreational and ecosystem values along the Tuolumne River.

While developing such a restoration plan presents a significant challenge, the reward would be tremendous. The restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park would provide a virtual twin of world famous Yosemite Valley, and would be a treasured gift for our children and grandchildren.

Please support the proposal for the Department of the Interior to pursue this historic opportunity.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

For more information, contact Restore Hetch Hetchy at: info@hetchhetchy.org, P.O. Box 3538, Sonora, CA 95370. Telephone: (209) 533-4481.

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