In what year was the city of San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy project approved?

The correct choice is 1908, as this year marks the approval of the Hetch Hetchy project by the San Francisco government. The Hetch Hetchy system was designed to supply water to the city, drawing water from the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. The project became crucial for San Francisco, especially after the 1906 earthquake, which highlighted the need for a reliable water supply for fire fighting and domestic use.

The Hetch Hetchy project was controversial at the time, with significant opposition from conservationists led by figures such as John Muir, who opposed the damming of the valley for the purpose of water supply. Despite the debates, the project was ultimately sanctioned in 1908, marking a pivotal moment in the history of water resource management in California. The approval allowed San Francisco to secure a long-term water source, greatly influencing the city's growth and development in the years that followed.