RESTORE
HETCH HETCHY
November 15, 2004
For Immediate Release
SONORA - Restore Hetch Hetchy applauds the response by Governor
Schwarzenegger's Administration to the request by two Democratic
legislators to undertake a comprehensive study of the costs and benefits
of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. Such a
cooperative bipartisan effort is a breath of fresh air in today's climate
of partisan conflict.
The Administration's rapid and positive response came in a letter from the
Governor's Resources Secretary to Assembly Members Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and
Joe Canciamilla (D-Pittsburg) answering their request for the study.
Assemblyman Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City) has also favored such a study. The
complete text of the Administration's letter is at the bottom on this
release.
"Restore Hetch Hetchy is very pleased that Governor Schwarzenegger and his
administration officials have decided to examine 'win-win' options for
restoring Yosemite National Park's Hetch Hetchy Valley and increasing
travel and tourism and, at the same time, ensuring that the state's water
supply and power concerns are addressed in a responsible way," said Ron
Good, Executive Director of Restore Hetch Hetchy.
"This is an historic step," Good added. "We are pleased
that the Governor
continues to recognize the vision of John Muir. Earlier this year, the
Governor designated John Muir, Half Dome, and the California condor as the
key symbols on the offical California quarter. Just as the condor is
a
symbol of Nature being successfully restored, restoring Hetch Hetchy
Valley can become an even grander and more breathtaking example of the
value Californians place on their environment."
Contact:
Ron Good
P.O. Box 3538
Sonora, CA 95370
www.hetchhetchy.org
(209) 533-4481
(415) 987-9944 cell
ron@hetchhetchy.org
State of California
Resources Agency
November 8, 2004
Honorable Joe Canciamilla
Member of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 2141
Sacramento, CA 95814
Honorable Lois Wolk
Member of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 6012
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymembers,
Thank you for sharing your interest in research recently released that
explores potential elements of any future effort to restore the Hetch
Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. On behalf of the Governor, I
am pleased to respond to your letter of September 9, 2004.
Consistent with its mission to thoughtfully manage the State's natural
resources, the Resources Agency shares your interest in the recent studies
by Environmental Defense and U.C. Davis detailing a plan for replacement
of the water and power provided by the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir so that the
valley might be restored. These studies, along with others that have
been
conducted in past years, may provide a foundation for discussions of the
complex opportunities and challenges associated with restoring a Yosemite
National Park valley and the water and energy resource needs of a growing
State.
For the purpose of initial review, the Department of Water Resources and
the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will consider aspects of
Hetch Hetchy restoration. Specifically, I have asked the Department of
Water Resources (DWR) to review the growing body of studies and analyses
that have been prepared over the last 20 years including Environmental
Defense and U.C. Davis efforts, and summarize the range of conclusions and
considerations in this work. Additionally, DWR will consider the larger
water supply impacts. Clearly, one of the foremost challenges posed by
the proposal stems from the fact that California, faced with significant
water demands, needs a net increase in water storage capacity, not a
decrease. Any plan to remove or modify existing water storage systems
would need to be balanced by a viable alternative plan to at a minimum,
replace the water supply now provided by the Hetch Hetchy reservoir.
Although it is very difficult to place a value on the existence or
acquisition of a natural feature, there are approaches that can be used.
I have asked DPR to work with the National Park Service (NPS) to identify
accepted economic approaches to estimate a parkland value for a restored
Hetch Hetchy Valley. Consideration of factors such as what relief, if
any, might a Hetch Hetchy restoration offer to the heavy visitation
pressure on Yosemite Valley may add value for this review.
The work program I have outlined is substantial and will need to be
accomplished within the constraints of existing staff and budget. This
review will be of limited value unless it is conducted in collaboration
with affected local agencies and with appropriate federal participation.
I will keep you informed of our progress.
California, its governor and its citizens, are committed to economically
feasible restoration of ecosystems and preservation of open space. This
commitment translates into an interest in reasonable proposals for
expanding our trust resources. At the same time, we are a rapidly growing
state and we are struggling with the challenges of improving water supply
reliability and providing reliable power. As the various interests
discuss the prospect of restoring Hetch Hetchy, we must balance our dreams
and aspirations, our limited financial resources, and our need for water
and power reliability. I look forward to developing additional
information to support a public policy discussion that may arise on the
future of Hetch Hetchy.
Sincerely
[signed]
Mike
Chrisman
Secretary
for Resources
cc: Governor's Office
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