Between 1908 and 1913 the city of San Francisco proposed building a dam in Hetch Hetchy Valley. The city was growing and needed this water supply to provide fresh water and a source of energy. If the dam were built, it would destroy the valley. Conservationists did not approve of the construction and said it was illegal because the valley is within Yosemite National Park. Eventually the city of San Francisco built the O'Shaughnessy Dam, destroying the Hetch Hetchy Valley. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Although they lost the valley, the Hetch Hetchy weir raised public awareness of the importance of preserving nature and helped justify the creation of the National Park Service. Even now there are environmentalists who want the valley restored. In 1908 the rapidly growing city of San Francisco needed a quick and easy source of water and was not concerned about the environmental impact it might have. The city proposed to build a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley to create a reservoir, unfortunately for them Hetch Hetchy was located within Yosemite National Park and was protected by the federal government. In order to build a dam the city needed federal government approval in the form of a bill. The city pressured Congressman John Raker to draft and present a bill to Congress. These complaints prompted John Raker to author the bill (D-CA), H.R. 7207. This bill was later nicknamed “the Raker bill.” When John Raker proposed the bill to Congress, it sparked a heated debate that swept across the country and divided the population of the United States, including environmentalists who favored the building of dams and believed that the environment should be used in conscientiously for the benefit of society. And the conservationists who argued that the valley should be preserved for all people. This debate prompted organizations and clubs to write letters and petitions in support of or against the dam. However, Congress passed the Raker Act which allowed the dam to be created. President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill into law on December 19, 1913. Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Although conservationists lost this battle, the Hetch Hetchy barrage raised public awareness of the importance of preserving nature and helped justify the creation of the National Park Service. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the organic act establishing the National Park Service. Even after years spent underwater, the history of Hetch Hetchy Valley and the efforts of its preservers have not been forgotten. There are still marches in the name of John Muir for his actions to preserve nature and organizations are still active today to remove the dam and restore the valley..