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Thesis
Timeline
Background
Hetch Hetchy Valley
San Francisco Water Needs
1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Debate
Proponents
Opponents
The Debate Continues
Diplomacy
Conservationist Advocacy
Preservationists Lack In Their Efforts
Impact / Analysis
Successes
Failures
Consequences
Supplemental Materials
Process Paper
Bibliography
Transcripts
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Dr. Gray Brechin
Mr. William Hasencamp
Dr. Roderick Nash
Mr. Spreck Rosekrans
Interactive Timeline of Events
1850
A pristine valley - source: Sierra Club
First European-American enters Hetch Hetchy Valley.
1882
Spring Valley Water Company Directors
source: SF Public Utilities Commission
San Francisco contemplates making Hetch Hetchy Valley into a reservoir.
1890
President Harrison
source: Library of Congress
President Harrison establishes Yosemite National Park, including the Hetch Hetchy Valley.
1891
Logging in the Sierras
source: Sierra Mountain Times
The
National Forest Reserve Act
is passed, preventing exploitation of wilderness.
1901
The reservoir - source: Sierra Club
Mayor James Phelan files for water rights in Hetch Hetchy, which is denied.
1903
President Roosevelt
source: Library of Congress
President Roosevelt endorses Pinchot's conservationist stance.
1905
John Muir - source: PBS
John Muir launches an 8-year campaign against the damming.
1906
San Francisco devastation
source: SF Virtual Museum
The great San Francisco earthquake occurs.
1908
Chief engineer O'Shaughnessy
source: SF Virtual Museum
San Francisco gets
authorization
to explore development in the valley.
1913
O'Shaughnessy Dam construction starts
source: SF Public Utilities Commission
President Wilson authorizes the
Raker Act
after many
hearings
in Congress.
1923
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
source: Missouri University of Science
& Technology
The O’Shaughnessy Dam is completed and the valley is flooded.