Restore Hetch Hetchy wrote to Congressman McClintock and his cosponsors last week, encouraging them to continue to pursue legislation to improve access and recreation at Hetch Hetchy. At the same time, McClintock added initial language to the Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act (H.R. 177), the bill he introduced a month ago.
The current text of the bill is posted on Congress’ website.
Our letter, with its supporting documents, is posted on the Restore Hetch Hetchy website.
Discussion of this proposed legislation comes at a time when the National Park Service has decided to pause its plans to implement a long-term reservation system in the park while awaiting review by the new administration in Washington D.C.
We have asked the National Park Service to consider the Hetch Hetchy entrance to Yosemite differently from other park entrances in its reservations system. After all the Hetch Hetchy entrance is geographically separated from the others and has a different pattern of visitor use. Note also that the reservation system has never applied to park visitors who use public transportation, but that will not be an option for visitors to Hetch Hetchy – the only park entrance not served by the Yosemite Area Rapid Transit System.
Restore Hetch Hetchy remains focused on Hetch Hetchy, so we have not taken a position on the reservation system in other parts of Yosemite.
The National Park Service has long neglected the visitor experience at Hetch Hetchy. The National Park Service and/or Department of the Interior could and should make many proposed improvements without the need for legislation. A legislative solution, however, would be the best way to guarantee improvements for the long term.
California has 38 reservoirs which hold more than 200,000 acre-feet of water. Of these, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is the only one which does not allow boating and fishing. Photo: Joe Braun
So we are encouraging Congressman McClintock and others to pursue a legislative approach. The devil is in the details, of course, and legislation must protect the park and its wildlife as it makes additional recreational opportunities available for visitors.
Camping, boating and fishing etc. at Hetch Hetchy would all be popular activities. More visitors would come to Hetch Hetchy, marvel at its towering granite walls, learn its history and support the campaign for its restoration. So while restoration is our ultimate goal, we are also excited about improving access and recreation even while the dam is in place.