My grandmother paints a vivid picture in my mind about her childhood, running through endless fields and dipping her light mocha feet into the running river and feeling a sensation of joy run through her. Seeing walls that divide nature from nature sends me into a state of despair, these barriers are seen as national treasures but all they do is cause more division. It seems as if we cannot get rid of division in the United States; we divide people, statuses, and now nature? To bring back the seamless harmony between Mother Nature and the inhabitants of this earth we must break down the barriers, starting with the Friant Dam. The San Joaquin River Restoration Project ignites a new hope to wildlife restoration and financial security.
First and foremost, a vital reason for restoring the San Joaquin River and massacring the Friant Dam is that it will unleash a new population of wildlife. In a “parched valley landscape” instead of what used to be “thousands of salmon swimming upstream,” a notion tugs at your heart strings and offers a feeling of desolate emptiness (Sacramento Bee). Memories of a beautiful river with thousands of fish and other various species of wildlife are all that remain in the barren land outside of the Friant Dam. In addition, many turn to wildlife as an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life; therefore, if there is no escape the human race will transform into a species of chaos. Another significant factor as to why the San Joaquin River needs to be restored is so that people can have more financial security and stability. Water is a renewable resource but we still need to conserve it and this settlement “provides water supply [and] financial certainty” (Sacramento Bee). In a world where poverty outweighs the wealthy, the simpler it is to obtain clean water, such as running water and not a still dam, the fewer people will die of thirst. Also, signs, posters, and protests arousing the awareness of the drought can finally end if the Friant Dam is demolished. Demolition of the Friant Dam is more than necessary to every single inhabitant of this earth.
Granted one can argue that the salmon will die in the revived river. The results are uncertain and the “temperatures [are] more suitable for bass and bluegill” (Fresno Bee). One might say that this whole project is just a shot in the dark and that it is too unpredictable. The salmon might not live so all of a sudden restoring a beautiful flowing river with other types of wildlife is not worth it. Then why should the Friant Dam be demolished? The Friant Dam should be demolished because a river is more than a habitat for one species, it is a habitat for many species, it is a place of gathering, an example of nature’s beauty at its finest. To see the sheer joy on the faces of the people as they see the San Joaquin River “providing fresh water downstream… [and to] stretches of the Central Valley that have water quality issues” is an irreplaceable feeling (Sacramento Bee). Not only is a river being revived, but a community. A community in which visitors from all around the world come and absorb the art that is nature. That is a national treasure. Restoring the San Joaquin River is like restoring a child’s faith in humanity.
Say what you will about the improbability of the restoration of the salmon. Although restoration of the salmon is a major benefit, the real restoration is the seamless harmony between the people and Mother Nature. Local fish merchants will be able to provide for their families again, the river will be the desired location spot, but most importantly, the earth will smile. Even though we have a long way to go to save our planet, always remember that one cannot put a price on nature. So put all this disputing about the river behind us. IT’S ALREADY BEEN BUILT!
