American Environmental History

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.