S.F. Prop. F: Yes to study Hetch Hetchy

Huey D. Johnson and Douglas P. Wheeler

Huey D. Johnson served as California's secretary for natural resources from 1976 to 1982 and Douglas P. Wheeler served in the same office from 1991 to 1999.

Published 7:02 p.m., Sunday, October 14, 2012

When it comes to environmental issues, San Francisco isn't usually a city divided. Civic leaders and residents pride themselves on their eco-friendly reputation.

The city's outdated water system, however, has long been a black mark on its green image. Now, Proposition F on San Francisco's November ballot would create a task force to plan reforms that would make that system more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Though water experts have praised the measure, Mayor Ed Lee called it "insane."

Battles over water are a perennial feature of life in the Western United States, but San Francisco hasn't been embroiled in one since 1913, when the city persuaded Congress to permit it to build a reservoir in Yosemite National Park by damming the Tuolumne River.

The dam flooded Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Valley, a once spectacular glacially carved canyon, robbing America of one of its most precious natural assets.

As the reality of climate change becomes increasingly clear today, natural resource managers must consider not only how we can develop more sustainable practices and systems, but also how we can restore the damaged habitat we have inherited.

To read the entire article go to: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/S-F-Prop-F-Yes-to-study-Hetch-Hetchy-3948220.php

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