Essay Undergraduate 522 words

California Water Pricing: Clavey-Wards Ferry Debate

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Abstract

This paper evaluates whether the proposed Clavey-Wards Ferry hydroelectric project on California's Tuolumne River should be permitted. It argues against development on the grounds that existing water projects already capture 90% of the river's flow, that environmental costs — including the destruction of fish habitat and downstream water supplies — have been systematically understated, and that the true social cost of the project far exceeds official estimates. The paper also presents the counterarguments: California's growing population requires additional water storage, the state faces an energy crisis demanding clean power sources, and the resulting reservoir could generate tourism revenue. Ultimately, the paper recommends against approving the project.

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What makes this paper effective

The paper clearly states its recommendation upfront and organizes its argument into numbered supporting points, making the logic easy to follow.
It demonstrates intellectual balance by presenting and addressing counterarguments rather than ignoring opposing viewpoints.
Quantitative evidence — such as the 90% water capture statistic, fish-per-acre comparisons, and the $214 million social cost figure — grounds the argument in concrete data.

Key academic technique demonstrated

This paper demonstrates the classic policy-brief structure: a clear recommendation followed by supporting arguments, then a fair presentation of counterarguments. This approach is common in public policy analysis and helps readers evaluate competing interests — environmental preservation versus population growth and energy demands — within a single, organized framework.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a thesis-style recommendation against the Clavey-Wards Ferry project. It then provides three evidence-backed arguments in favor of its position, covering resource depletion, environmental costs, and understated social costs. A second section presents three counterarguments supporting development, including population water needs, clean energy demands, and tourism benefits. A single source is cited throughout using MLA format. The paper is concise and policy-oriented, suited to an undergraduate public policy course.

Introduction and Recommendation

The proposed Tuolumne River hydroelectric Clavey-Wards Ferry water project should not be allowed. The river resource has already been developed to over capacity, and further development may ruin this precious natural resource beyond repair — including the drying up of the remaining downstream water supply to California communities in that area.

Environmental and Resource Limits

By 1983, existing water projects had captured 90% of the Tuolumne River's water. There is simply not much more to be taken (Kincaid, 1). A former California State Department of Fish and Game biologist estimated that the new reservoir would contain less than 10 pounds of fish per acre, compared to the Tuolumne's present 1,000 pounds per acre (Ibid, 6).

Every source of power carries environmental costs. Although hydroelectric power is considered "clean," its environmental impacts on fishing, camping, and downstream water customers — who would have even less water than they currently do — must be weighed alongside the needs of large metropolitan areas such as San Francisco. The inundation of the remaining eighteen wild miles of riverfront would virtually dry up the remaining downstream flow of the river (Ibid). In addition, past environmental costs have been systematically understated in applications for hydroelectric projects in the Sierras (Ibid, 7).

Understated Social Costs

The costs of the project are far understated in terms of social cost. As shown graphically in Exhibit 8, the total price tag when these costs are included reaches $214,263,000 (Ibid, 18).

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The Case for Development · 160 words

"Population growth, clean energy, and tourism arguments"

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Conclusion

Weighing all factors, the environmental and social costs of the Clavey-Wards Ferry project outweigh its benefits. The Tuolumne River has already been developed to near its limits, the true social costs of the project have been underestimated, and the destruction of remaining wild river habitat cannot be justified by marginal gains in water storage, power generation, or tourism revenue.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Tuolumne River Hydroelectric Power Water Supply Environmental Cost Social Cost Fish Habitat Clean Energy Water Policy Reservoir Development Tourism Revenue