However, because of increased environmental awareness around the country, the majority of the public opposed the project. In 1954 alone, the Department of the Interior received 20,000 pieces of mail about the plan, and one insider estimated the letters ran 80 to 1 in opposition of the project.
Despite rising environmental awareness across the nation, the majority of the public opposed the project. In 1954, the Department of the Interior received over 20,000 pieces of mail regarding the initiative, and an insider estimated that a substantial number of these letters were against it.