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Vol 2, No. 1 Summer 2003 Restore Hetch Hetchy Objects to O’Shaughnessy Dam Modification Project in Hetch Hetchy Valley agle-eyed Monica Weakley RESTORE HETCH HETCHY is before the Board of Supervisors, of the objecting to the dam modification and may rely on his expertise to E Preservation Trust was plans, and has appealed to the appeal to the courts, if necessary. looking through the Sonora Union Board of Supervisors to require a In testimony before the Public Democrat for news about the full environmental review. This Utilities Commission, Ron Good, Tuolumne, when she spied a tiny project would modify the 65-year Executive Director of RESTORE public notice by the City of San old dam to add a 60-inch diameter HETCH HETCHY, stated that the Francisco, saying that they were pipe as a second, higher outlet by project is unnecessary, a complete about to make a major modification installing a 115-foot long vertical waste of money, has substantial of O’Shaughnessy Dam, which pipe on the face of O’Shaughnessy environmental impacts, and it blocks Hetch Hetchy Valley. The Dam to address a supposed “tur- represents a further disruption to the City had tried to sneak the project bidity” (soil and debris) problem visitor’s experience in Yosemite past the public - a project the City and to generate more electricity National Park’s Hetch Hetchy has been planning in secret for eight from a plant downstream. Valley: “The City has not complied years — by putting their legally RESTORE HETCH HETCHY with CEQA, because it does not required notice of the project in a believes that has evaluate all phases of the project paper they hoped no environmental- failed to comply with the require- and its foreseeable environmental ist would read. ments of the California Environ- effects, and it does not evaluate this WRONG! Monica’s good work mental Quality Act (CEQA), and project’s environmental effects in caught them in the act, opening up a that the project itself doesn’t make connection with the overall $1.6 public policy and perhaps legal sense from a public policy and billion Capital Improvements drama which could spell an end to financial perspective. We have Program approved by the San San Francisco’s dedication to obscur- retained CEQA expert attorney Francisco voters last November in ing their plans from public view. J. William Yeates to represent us continued on page 4 National Park or National Security Risk? Restore Hetch Hetchy is: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR By Paul Davis, member of Restore Hetch Hetchy Ron Good Ð a personal perspective ll of us were deeply sunrise photos of the valley. It was BOARD OF DIRECTORS saddened by the terrorist our thought that, in the early dawn, Harold Wood, Chair A attacks against our the reservoir would be more under- Spreck Rosekrans, Vice-Chair country on September 11, 2001. stated and the glory of Hetch Laura Lockwood, Treasurer As we all remember, it was very Hetchy’s waterfalls (Tueeulala and Mark Palley, Secretary difficult to get away from the Wapama) and towering cliffs would David Brower (Deceased) horrific images and 24-hour news be showcased. Robert Brower Mark Cederborg coverage of 9/11 during the days I remembered reading that John Donald Fuhrer and weeks that followed. Muir called Tueeulala Fall “the Robert Hackamack In an attempt to escape from all most graceful fall I have ever seen,” Dr. Jerry Meral of this, my brother and I scheduled and said it exceeded Yosemite Marsh Pitman a short trip to Hetch Hetchy in early Valley’s Bridal Veil Fall in “height Kay Pitts November, not too long after 9/11. ...beauty and behavior.” He went on William Resneck to say that Barbara Williams Wapama Fall descends to the ADVISORY COMMITTEE Hetch Hetchy Dr. Ronald Alessio Allison Valley floor by Dr. Peter Andersen “roaring and James Bush thundering, Yvon Chouinard Paul Davis pounding its way Tom Dosh like an earth- Rick Farber quake avalanche.” Jeffrey Holt We hit the Huey Johnson road early, Robert Kallman arriving at the Deborah Landowne I needed to get away from reality, if Hetch Hetchy entrance gate at Christine White Loberg even for a day, and Yosemite has 5:45am. My brother and I were Mike McCloskey always been the place where I can shocked to find the entrance gate Tim Molinare Dr. Barbara Mossberg be at total peace with myself, and locked, and new visitor day-use- Dr. Roderick Frazier Nash my surroundings. Our plan was to only hours posted: 8am to 6pm [see Jeff Nixon stay overnight in Groveland, arrive photo for summer-time day-use Kathryn Petersen at Hetch Hetchy before sunrise, and hours]. Our plans to photograph Mark Ross then set off for a cross-country hike the valley at sunrise were cancelled Galen Rowell (Deceased) to climb Kolana Rock. My brother that day. My brother and I waited Lee Stetson is a professional photographer and until the gates opened and spent our Dr. Ed Wayburn wanted to get some dramatic Richard Wiebe continued on page 6 Public Access Denied in Hetch Hetchy Valley for a Full-Moon Walk

By Ron Good, RHH Executive Director

ver the weekend of June “Thank you for on June 14th to enjoy the 14 & 15, the Board of calling me this afternoon full moonlight on the O Directors of RESTORE to chat about our request great granite walls and the HETCH HETCHY met for a to have a full-moonlight booming waterfalls; and, I “retreat” and Board meeting at the stroll at Hetch Hechy on believe the American rustic Evergreen Lodge near the the evening of June 14th. people should be able to entrance to Yosemite National Of course, I am disap- know how their freedoms Park’s Hetch Hetchy Valley. One pointed that our request have been curtailed in this of the reasons we chose that par- can not be granted; however, I do manner. I hope we can work out ticular weekend was to be able to appreciate the difficult choices that something in this regard. take a full-moonlight stroll at Hetch you must make in these troubled “Having lived in and around Hetchy on the evening of June 14. times. From our perspective — Yosemite Valley for four years, I On May 12, I made a written and, I believe the perspective of the know the special excitement of request to the National Park Service American people — it is unfortu- being able to saunter in the mead- for permission for the stroll. As nate that the people’s national park ows and along the river and near the mentioned in the article by Paul can not be visited freely because of waterfalls on full-moon-lit eve- Davis in this newsletter, and as the presence of a potential terrorist nings. It’s magical. It’s delicious. graphically demonstrated by the target (the O’Shaughnessy Dam) in Especially when the snow has been photograph, after the events of 9/11/ the park. As I stated in our phone caught in the cracks and crevices of 01 hourly restrictions were placed conversation, I believe that one of the cliffs, and the mellow moonlight on public access to Hetch Hetchy the reasons we have our wonderful skips lightly on the snow, the snow Valley because of perceived terrorist national parks is to allow people to that looks like fireflies twinkling in threats to the O’Shaughnessy Dam. go to some place where the “nor- the night. We deserve that experi- The “terror threat” level had mal” cares of the world are far away ence in Hetch Hetchy Valley. The escalated to “orange” over the and can be forgotten, and where American people deserve that Memorial Day weekend, but on Nature can speak the wisdoms of experience in Hetch Hetchy Valley. May 30, the threat level was the ages. Will Colby, ’s right hand lowered to “yellow.” So, I had “The reason I believe it would man in the fight to preserve Hetch some hope that our request for the be important for us to receive a Hetchy Valley, said that the Ameri- full-moonlight stroll for would be written response denying our can people would rally to the approved. Unfortunately, however, request is to be able to document defense of Hetch Hetchy “if it takes our request was denied by the the loss to the American people ‘till doomsday.” I believe that National Park Service on June 4. when we can’t enjoy our national determined resolve is still with the In response to this denial, I park because of the thing John Muir American people today.” wrote the following letter to called the ‘damn, damn, damnable Yosemite National Park’s Chief dam.’ Having that dam in the ÐRon Good, Executive Director Ranger, Steve Shackelton: national park is the reason we have been denied access to Hetch Hetchy Restore Hetch Hetchy Objects extract more water from the feder- similar project proponent must ally recognized “wild & scenic” recognize. to O’Shaughnessy Dam Tuolumne River, and disrupting In response to our concerns, San Modification Project federally recognized wilderness Francisco PUC General Manager continued from page 1 values in Yosemite National Park. Pat Martell joined a conference call Restore Hetch Hetchy is also with RESTORE HETCH HETCHY Proposition A. In addition, this concerned that, if this project were Executive Director Ron Good and new pipe is supposed to cure a completed, the City would be more our attorney Bill Yeates. The call turbidity problem (soil and debris committed to retaining the was cordial, and Martell promised during very high flows) that exists O’Shaughnessy Dam in Hetch that in the future San Francisco for at most only seven days out of Hetchy Valley. would make every effort to have the year. Even if there is a turbidity Restore Hetch Hetchy was their work understood by the public. problem, it will be taken care of by joined by the Tuolumne River A follow up letter the same day the $81 million improvements at the Preservation Trust and the Sierra promised full involvement in the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Club in some of our concerns about Capital Improvement Plan by the already authorized by the San this project. Remarkably, Oral environmental community. Francisco voters in Proposition A.” Moore, a former official with Hetch But our request for a full envi- In its appeal to the Board of Hetchy Water & Power and ronmental analysis of the dam Supervisors, RESTORE HETCH Winchell Hayward, a former modification project was rejected, HETCHY also cited the significant engineer for Hetch Hetchy Water & as was our request to consider an environmental impacts that will Power, both agreed in public alternative in the upcoming environ- occur during the six-month con- testimony that the supposed mental reviews for the Capital struction period (during which time problem of turbidity was not great Improvements Project the possible the City wants to put a huge crane enough to justify such a major removal of the dam. These rejec- on top of the O’Shaughnessy Dam), expenditure. tions by the City leave us little and its belief that a full Environ- The City claims that the project choice but to either drop our mental Impact Report (under must be undertaken this fall, when objections or file suit, and the California CEQA) and a full the Hetch Hetchy water delivery Board of Director of RESTORE Environmental Impact Statement system will be shut down for HETCH HETCHY was consider- (under federal NEPA) are required maintenance. This shutdown is ing these options as this issue of our for this project. These environmen- rare, and presents a unique opportu- newsletter went to press. tal impacts include disruption of nity to build the project. But by Thanks to Bob Hackamack, biological resources (threatened or trying to rush through the environ- Chair of RESTORE HETCH endangered plants and animals), the mental process, and ignoring the HETCHY’s technical/engineering population growth and sprawl in the broader implications of the project, committee for his great volunteer Bay Area made possible by the San Francisco has ignored its work in analyzing the San Fran- improved water supply created by requirements under California cisco proposal! this project and the Capital Im- environmental law. RESTORE  provements Program that plans to HETCH HETCHY is now consider- ing legal action to require the City to comply with the same laws every Bringing the Word to the United Nations

In April, RHH Executive Director Ron Good presented the case for removal of the O’Shaughnessy Dam and reservoir from Hetch Hetchy Valley at an international health and water conference sponsored by World Information Transfer (WIT) at the United Nations in New York City! We were invited there by Dr. William Rom, who is affiliated with NYU Medical School and a WIT board member.  Hetch Hetchy in the News Several major newspaper articles about the proposed removal of the dam from Hetch Hetchy Valley have come out recently, and some papers have editorialized in support of a Feasibility Study regarding Hetch Photo by Linda Gass RHH Executive Director Ron Good (the “fiddler”), RHH Board member and Hetchy’s restoration. They include: volunteer Mark Cederborg, and RHH volunteer Kathy Schrenk, at our First New York Times, Los Angeles Amendment/ Free Speech table at Hetch Hetchy over Memorial Day weekend Times, San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa , and RHH volunteer Dennis Ventura County Star. Latona and RHH People are finding out about this Executive Director, Ron Good, at Friends of the controversy, they are visiting our River event celebrating free-flowing rivers at website, and joining RESTORE Auburn. HETCH HETCHY. You can read many of these articles on our website: www.hetchhetchy.org. In addition, you can see beautiful images of Hetch Hetchy Valley, and learn about John Muir’s effort to preserve the Valley and our modern-day effort to restore it. Please visit us soon!  National park or spools of cable, are still sitting up on the saddle between Kolana Rock National Security Risk and Smith Peak, unused. continued from page 2 As I look at the current situation, I certainly do not have access to day hiking across the south rim to intelligence information regarding the base of Kolana Rock. During overseas threats. Maybe there is a the day, we talked about the new real, substantiated threat to San day-use-only hours, and came to the Francisco’s water supply. If so, then obvious conclusion that the reason I am in favor of keeping the area for the restricted hours had to do safe, even if that means limiting with 9/11. The potential terrorist public access to the Hetch Hetchy threat, the O’Shaughnessy Dam and area. However, if the reservoir, which holds part of San Later that day, I learned from a O’Shaughnessy Dam were not in Francisco’s water supply, just park ranger that this is not the first Yosemite, it needs to be emphasized happens to be in Yosemite National time Hetch Hetchy has been a that Al-Qaeda would have no use to Park’s Hetch Hetchy Valley. I perceived target of a foreign enemy. bomb a grassy meadow, a meander- asked myself, as I was looking During the later stages of World ing stream, or thundering waterfalls. down on the reservoir that after- War II, the U.S. Army planned and National Parks are for people to noon, “I bet I am looking at the implemented security measures visit to escape the troubles of the only National Park that is a national against the threat of a Japanese world, not to be affected by them. security risk.” Then the absurdity attack on the O’Shaughnessy Dam. John Muir once said that if you try of the whole situation became clear. The U.S. Army planned to stretch to separate out any one thing in National Parks were not created to large cables across the top of Hetch Nature, you would find it “hitched” hold dams that can be destroyed by Hetchy from Kolana Rock to the to everything else in the universe. our enemies and create havoc on opposite side, in an attempt to Unfortunately, this now also applies our citizens. Our National Parks knock down Japanese airplanes to Hetch Hetchy Valley and the were created for the preservation of attempting to bomb O’Shaughnessy events of 9/11/01.  Nature and for enjoyment of the Dam. If this sounds crazy to you, American people. the proof of this plan, the enormous

RHH Board member and volunteer Restore Hetch Hetchy wishes to THANK John Muir actor Lee Stetson and Scottish Barbara Williams (at right holding fiddler Alasdair Fraser for wonderful performances at our benefit event in San bumper sticker) at the Crane Rafael last November. Everyone had a wonderful time enjoying these two very Festival in Lodi. talented performers! Please Use Our Website Catalog To View the Items Described Below at www.hetchhetchy.org.

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Card # ______Expires ______Meet Our Board: Mark Palley RHH Board Secretary, and member of the Legal Committee

ark Palley and his to attend meetings and to help with family had been visiting events. He joined the Board in MYosemite for years 2001. His enthusiasm for that goal, when, on a day trip from the City of coupled with typing skills, led to his Berkeley’s Tuolumne Family Camp, appointment as Secretary of the they encountered a spectacular Board in 2002. granite-walled valley half-sub- A partner of the Oakland law merged under water behind a mass firm of Marion’s Inn, Mark has of concrete. It was late Spring and practiced civil litigation since 1985, the waterfalls were gushing. There handling a variety of cases, includ- were sparkling pools near the trail ing health, bankruptcy and employ- and wildflowers everywhere. ment law. He has taught health law Returning to that special place and serves from time to time as a became a yearly family outing. But pro tem judge. He commutes to reclaiming our national park. The seeing that dam left Mark with a work by bicycle when he can. He question is no longer whether - but profound sense of loss, leading to has coached youth soccer, and when. While I’m ready for the long irritation, and eventually to outrage. supports his 15- and 9-year-old haul, I look forward to the day Though hardly a long-time children in all of their endeavors. when I can hike with my children environmental activist, Mark Yet he also finds time to do what he on the valley floor, surrounded by resolved to channel his emotions can for that lost valley. oaks and wildflowers and a mean- toward the goal of recovery of that “We’re beyond chasing wind- dering Tuolumne River. And I’m special place. After searching mills,” Mark says. “In these past confident that day is sooner than websites, he stumbled upon Restore four years, we’ve seen a stunning many now imagine.”  Hetch Hetchy. In 2000, he started growth in support for our project of

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