Trump Administration and Congress Approved Plan to Raise the Shasta Dam

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Shasta Dam raise
The Trump administration and Congress have approved the plan to raise the Shasta Dam constructed in the 20th century, with the intent of meeting the increasing water demand in California. The growing water demand has been influenced by the increased population and prospects of increased population growth in the future (Indians Fighting Proposal to Raise Shasta Dam, 2013). The capacity to increase the water volume is critical to the prosperity of all people in the region. Nevertheless, further development of the dam will have a significant impact on the cultural and religious practices of the Winnemem Wintu by flooding and destroying several sacred sites. This has influenced activities among the Wintu to prevent further advancements by the federal government in the development of the dam. The situation has presented a dilemma, where there is the ethical need to protect sacred sites that define the traditional and religious aspects of a small community, and the need to supply water, which is the primary driver of existence across all human societies. The significance of water for domestic and economic uses remains the primary objective of the government (Lochhead, 2018). The development has received support from organizations such as San Joaquim Valley growers, while some state officials and the Wintu tribe strongly oppose the move. The conflicting ideologies and interests among the people present a challenge that should be analyzed for all parties to be satisfied.
The Shasta Dam is 602 feet, which makes it the fourth-tallest dam in California. The large amount of water held by the dam is important for the Federal Central Valley Project and the economic development of the Westlands Water District that lies in the arid western San Joaquin Valley. The availability of water in the dam is imperative to the success of these regions. By increasing the size of the dam, the government will also be able to protect the loss of farmland due to drought (Lochhead, 2018). Notably, farmers in the Central Valley Project faced substantial challenges for about two years after a drought that lasted five years until winter 2016-17. These factors highlight the importance of water for the non-Native American ideologies on the use of water. Water for domestic and agricultural activities seems to take president over other interests, especially concerning a small community of people. The interests of the Wintu tribe were not met when the dam was first constructed; the same situation is likely to be experienced with the remaining sacred places along the river.
The Wintu have a strong attachment to nature, which is of immense spiritual significance at all stages of life. The Winnemen Wintu claims of the sacred areas along the river are premised on the belief that they originated from the McCloud River watershed. The term Winnemen means Middle Water and Wintu means people (Sacred land Film Project, 2015). The middle water emerges from the fact that the McCloud River lies between the upper Sacramento River and the Pit River. The name of the tribe highlights the historical significance of the region for the Wintu community. According to the Wintu’s believes, the creator gave life and breath through ...