Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Get a $2 Million Recreation Upgrade, But Future Water Costs Could Rise

The "Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act" is throwing open the gates a bit wider at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin within Yosemite. This bill bumps up funding for improvements in these areas from a measly $30,000 to a cool $2 million – and that number will grow with inflation each year, according to the Consumer Price Index (SEC. 2). The catch? San Francisco, which gets its water and power from Hetch Hetchy, cannot pass these costs onto its wholesale customers.

Recreation Revamp

This bill isn't just about money; it's about changing what you can do at Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor. The National Park Service is now officially in charge of managing these areas for public recreation (SEC. 2). Think swimming, kayaking (non-motorized only), camping (above the high-water line), and picnicking. Basically, more of the fun stuff, as long as it doesn't mess with the reservoir's main job of supplying water (SEC. 2). Even driving in gets a nod – both motorized and non-motorized vehicles can use access roads, provided they don't interfere with dam operations (SEC. 2).

Imagine a family from Modesto finally being able to kayak on Lake Eleanor, or a group of friends from Fresno camping near Hetch Hetchy without jumping through a million hoops. That's the kind of real-world change this bill is aiming for. The increased funding can go toward things like fixing up trails, improving roads, and, importantly, wildfire prevention (SEC. 2). That last one is a big deal, given the constant threat of wildfires in California.

The Price of Paradise?

Here's where things get a little tricky. Within a year, the Secretary of the Interior has to deliver a report to Congress (SEC. 2). This report will look at whether the original promises about recreational access at Hetch Hetchy are being kept. It's also going to dive deep into how to pay for all this new access and upkeep. They'll be looking at everything from trail maintenance to wildfire prevention costs (SEC. 2). And, this is key, they'll be exploring ways to mitigate those costs (SEC. 2).

One potential solution mentioned in the bill? Adjusting water and power prices, or even treating San Francisco like a concessionaire, adding the value of lost benefits like recreation to their annual fee (SEC. 2). This could mean higher utility bills for folks in the Bay Area down the line, although the bill explicitly bars San Francisco from passing on the $2 million in improvement costs to wholesale customers. The report will need to get into the nitty-gritty of how different cost mitigation strategies might play out.

Balancing Act

The "Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act" is trying to strike a balance. It wants to give more people access to these beautiful areas, boost recreation, and improve wildfire safety. But it also needs to figure out how to pay for it all without creating unintended consequences, especially regarding water and power prices. The required report to Congress is a crucial step in making sure this all happens fairly and transparently.