Leadership changes are afoot within the Department of Interior and the National Park Service. Staff at either agency has the ability to effect long overdue change at Hetch Hetchy under existing law, so we will be in touch with both during coming weeks and months.
Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum was confirmed as Secretary of Interior last Thursday with 79 out of 100 votes in the Senate.
Burgum’s nomination was supported by numerous recreation groups.
The Department of Interior oversees numerous agencies, including the National Park Service. Burgum’s confirmation hearing focused primarily on his support for energy development on public lands with scant mention of of national parks. We have written Burgum, as we have previous Secretaries, explaining the important opportunity that we have to improve the visitor experience at Hetch Hetchy. We hope Burgum and/or his deputies will be interested.
Secretary Ryan Zinke (center) came to Hetch Hetchy on a smoky day in 2018, and met with Restore Hetch Hetchy Board Member Mark Palley (left), ED Spreck Rosekrans, and Board Members Mark Cederborg (second from right) and Virginia Johannessen. Photos by Sherman Hogue/DOI
As is customary after a change of the Presidency, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams has resigned. The role is currently filled by “acting” Director Jessica Bowron. (The NPS Director is a position that also requires Senate confirmation, which never occurred direct Trump’s first presidency. The last president to retain a NPS Director for a full term was Richard Nixon).
NPS Director Chuck Sams with RHH’s Spreck Rosekrans in 2023 at the Yosemite Conservancy’s Centennial soiree.
In addition, Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon has announced her retirement. We have had several cordial meetings with Muldoon and other Yosemite staff over the last several years. We have made progress convincing staff at Yosemite to enhance access to Hetch Hetchy, but much more needs to be done. We look forward to meeting and working with Muldoon’s not-yet-named successor.
Much can be done administratively to improve access and recreation at Hetch Hetchy. We will work with personnel at all levels to achieve improvements for park visitors that are long overdue. We will keep you posted.