Civil Engineering versus National Parks

Ethics
When it comes to ethical decisions, civil engineers have an especially important job. As in many other professions, engineers’ responsibility is to the public. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the code of ethics for engineers include the following principles:

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:

1.      Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment.

2.      Being honest and impartial and serving the fidelity the public, their employers, and clients

3.      Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession

4.      Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

With this in mind civil engineers face ethical decisions every day. One major issue is how engineering projects affect the environment. There are many cases where a road installment or water containment has been put in to question based on how it would affect the environment around it. A specific example is how these civil engineering decisions affect national parks and how the public reacts to these structures.

Some would say that no matter what the cost innovation and progress is the most important thing for the future of the United States. However other, including myself would argue that it is also important to preserve what natural resources we still have. As a future civil engineer, I believe that although improving society and technology is very important and a goal, it is equally important to protect land for the enjoyment of all citizens and ultimately for future generations.
 

Hetch Hetchy Valley
There have been multiple times that civil engineering projects have clashed with the national park ideals. A very famous debate occurred in 1913 when the city of San Francisco wanted to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley even though this act would directly affect Yosemite National Park. In this example the controversy involved water resource engineers, wanting to provide for the citizens of San Francisco, versus environmentalists. As it turned out Congress won, and the valley was dammed to provide water for the growing population, destroying some of the natural beauty of the national park for all visitors to come. Below are pictures showing the before and after affect of the dam.

It isn’t as if the Hetch Hetchy Valley was San Francisco’s only option for a water source. Sometimes although a source is close and easier for engineers, it is important to take in to count the non-monetary cost to the environment. The least expensive solution isn’t necessarily the best choice. For more articles on the Hetch Hetchy Valley follow these links:

http://www.hetchhetchy.org/ ; http://www.archives.gov 

Appalachian National Scenic Trail
A more recent example of civil engineering conflicting with national parks is in 2008 North Carolina Department of Transportation released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which included plans to build a road and tunnel system that crossed the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This construction would impact forests and ultimately a trail that is historic in the fact that it was the United State’s first National Scenic Trail.

When does transportation become so much more important than preserving our nation’s history? Again, aren’t there more options? It is not as if this is the only place a road could be placed.

If you would like more information on this plan follow this link: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com

Controversy
While it is true that the examples provided show economic and civil engineering necessity for some people, it is also true that there must be a balance. It is an engineer’s job to “enhance human welfare and the environment” (Code of Ethics Principle), so both aspects are important.
Often times it is easy for preserving natural resources to get over looked when roads and water controls seem so important, but the environment should be kept aesthetic, clean, and preserved none the less. This is especially true when the development affects national parks, whose sole purpose to begin with is to maintain that natural beauty.