Federal lands across the United States, colored by managing agency – click map to enlarge.
The damming and flooding of Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park looms large in American history as arguably the most infamous loss of public land ever. Returning that spectacular landscape to its natural splendor will not only undo a historic injustice, it will inspire a new generation to cherish, protect and restore public lands everywhere.
Hetch Hetchy, as a glacier carved valley with waterfalls cascading from granite monoliths onto a meadowy valley floor, is special indeed. It is not, however, large. At 1400 acres, it is only about 2/10 of 1 percent of Yosemite (though the reservoir effectively reduces access to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.)
Moreover, national parks cover some 85,000,000 acres. Together with lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies, federal lands comprise more than 588 million acres – or about 1/4 of all land in the United States.
These public lands are important to all of us. As citizens we own them. No one is making any more. Any decision to sell public lands should be considered with the utmost care and deliberation.
As Secretary of Interior in 2018, now Congressman Zinke (center) visited Hetch Hetchy with, from left, RHH board member Mark Palley, Executive Director Spreck Rosekrans, and board members Mark Cederborg and Virginia Johannessen. (Sadly Hetch Hetchy was largely obscured by smoke that day.)
Earlier this month, however, Congress members from Utah and Nevada proposed and the House Natural Resources Committee passed an amendment to sell federal land in their states. The amendment is part of the larger budget reconciliation bill, so there is danger that the public lands could be sold without any real debate.
Fortunately, a bipartisan group of Congress members, led by Ryan Zinke (R-Montana) and Gabe Vasquez (D-New Mexico) has launched Public Lands Caucus, a bipartisan congressional coalition focused on conserving America’s public lands and expanding access for all Americans. As Rep. Zinke notes, “Public lands aren’t red or blue issues, it’s red, white and blue. The bipartisan Public Lands Caucus brings together lawmakers who don’t agree on much, but we agree on and are ready to work together to promote policies that advance conservation and public access … so future generations can enjoy the same opportunities to hunt, hike, fish, make a living and enjoy our uniquely American heritage.”
It’s refreshing to see any bipartisan cooperation these days. As an organization deeply connected and committed to improving America’s natural heritage, Restore Hetch Hetchy applauds this effort.
Cross our fingers, but also write your representative to oppose the sale of federal lands.