Research On Echo Dam Construction Disputes Of America In 1950s

The famous controversy over public lands and landscape protections in the United States in the mid-1950 s, centered on whether a dam should be built near Echo Park inside Dinosaur National Monument. First suggested by the bureau in 1946, the dam threatened the integrity of the national park system.The confrontation of Utilitarianism and Ecological staged again after Hetch Hetchy controversy, but do not produce the same results. Hetch Hetchy dam controversy with anti-dam ended in failure, and ultimately Hetch Hetchy reservoir built, and the result of Echo controversy is that the anti-dam campaign victory.There are four chapters in the thesis:First of all, this paper discusses the history of Echo Park dam dispute.In the 1930 s and 1940 s,USA is committe to economic development, and water resources is an important pillar of economic development.The utilitarian view of nature are dominant at the time;Meanwhile, some wilderness activists appeale to protect to using out of the wilderness area.The Bureau of Reclamation formulated the plan of Echo Park dam and the idea is controversial.The confrontation of Utilitarianism and Ecological staged again on the issue.Secondly,this paper expounds the expansion and results on the Echo Park dam dispute.At one congressional hearing,a heated dispute between the damming and anti-damming over whether or not the dam need to be built on Echo park.The disputes focused mostly on some issues: the value of Echo park,The cost budget,evaporation and so on.The results of controversy ended to abolish the law of Echo Park dam,and anti-damming was among the victors.Thirdly,this paper analyzes the causes of anti-damming to victory.After the Second World War, to pursue spiritual enjoyment,most of the people against American dam construction and apeal to protect wilderness;The anti-damming alliance has pressed congress hard enough to change to the mind of house chamber above constructing dam;In addition,the anti-damming alliance could be in play on public opinion.The landscape of Echo Park is well known,where to attract people to visit and to win the support of the people.At last,The successful effort to preserve Echo Park proved to be a milestone in the history of the American environmental movement.The wilderness organization are becoming an increasing force,and the people of preserving wilderness are more enthusiasm.the value of wilderness need to be verified at a later time.