HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2002-071 N.C.S. 05/06/2002 Resolution 1~To. 2002-0~~~ C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION OF TIIE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL OPPOSING TIIE EXPORT OF
WATER. FROM THE GUALALA AND ALBION RIVERS TO SOUTIIERN
CALIFORNIA .AND CALLING FOR REGULATORY AGENCIES TO REQUIRE FULL
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY OF TIIIS APPLICATION
WHEREAS, the Division of Water Rights of the California Department of Water
Resources has received applications 31194 and 31195 from Alaska Water Exports to appropriate
water from the Gualala and Albion Rivers for export to Southern California; and
WHEREAS, the decline of salmonid populations along the California Central and North
Coast regions has led to threatened listings under the Endangered Species Act; and
WHEREAS, chronic water shortages exist in the community of Gualala. as determined by
the California Department of Water Resources and the California Coastal Commission; and
WHEREAS, winter flows from the coastal rivers are essential for proper ecological
functioning of estuaries and near shore ocean conditions, resulting in improved conditions
including attraction flows for listed fish species; and
WHEREAS, coastal Sonoma County and coastal Mendocino County are reliant on
tourism and maintaining a scenic, non-industrialized coastline; and
WHEREAS, the exploitation of natural water supplies for private profit purposes is
inherently in conflict with good resource and ecosystem care and management; and
WHEREAS, the applications from Alaska Water Exports do not address the myriad of
environmental and economic impacts this project would have on the Sonoma and Mendocino
County coasts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council opposes the
application to export water from the Gualala and Albion Rivers to Southern California.
aooa-o~ ~
Resolution No. N.C.S.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Petaluma City Council calls on all relevant
regulatory agencies to insure that any such proposal for water export undergo the most rigorous
of environmental studies including, but not limited to:
• Impacts of lowering large quantities of fresh water flow in a manner that may affect the
ability of salmonids to determine the time to enter the river system for spawning.
• Impacts of extraction on salt water intrusion up the river both on river ecology and
domestic wells.
• Impacts on streambed alteration of placing pipelines, cisterns and intake points for water
extraction significantly upstream from the river mouth including construction impacts.
® Impacts on estuary and near shore ocean ecology.
® Impacts on highly scenic coastal resources and. related economic impacts on tourism.
• Impacts of construction and intakes on public access and use of the river.
• Impacts of offshore water bags on fishing boats and recreational craft.
• Impacts of pipeline construction on net and line snagging for fishing boats.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be submitted to relevant
regulatory agencies, including the State Department of Water Resources, the California
Department of Fish and Game, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Army Corps of
Engineers, the California Coastal Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the
coastal permitting agencies in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution seas introduced and adopted by the ved as to
Council of thgtlCity of Petaluma at Regular) (Adjourned) (SpeciaJJ~meeting r
on the day of ay....................................., 20......, by the
following vote:
City Attorney
AYES: Cader-Thompson, Vice Mayor Healy, Maguire, O'Brien, Mayor Thompson, Torliatt
NOES: None
ABSENT: None ABS AIN: Moynihan
ATTEST:
City Clerk ~8 C18Y'Y~ . Mayor
Council File.
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Res. Nn ...................................N.C.S.