Dear Elected Officials:

Yosemite National Park historically featured two great glacier-carved valleys: Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy Valley. Both were world-class landscapes of serene meadows, towering granite walls, and cascading waterfalls.

In 1913, despite nationwide opposition, Congress passed the Raker Act, authorizing San Francisco to dam and flood Hetch Hetchy Valley – the only such instance in American history. No such intrusion in one of our national parks would be considered, let alone authorized, today.

Restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley is an exceptional opportunity for Congress and the City of San Francisco to work together — to return a treasure to Yosemite National Park, and to offer the world a compelling example of what thoughtful stewardship, innovation, and shared purpose can achieve.

Thank you for your consideration.