HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1989-137
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sponsored by: Schaefermever
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 89-137
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, IN SUPPORT OF THE SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION RELATING TO NOT BEING SUBJECTED TO A BLANKET
NATIONAL POLICY FOR "NO NET LOSS" OF WETLANDS
WHEREAS, the Domestic policy Council is considering advancing
for Presidential approval a national "no net loss of wetlands"
policy; and
WHEREAS, the perceived need for a "no net loss" policy is
caused by wetlands loss in the continental uni ted States, not
Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the original concept of wetlands has become increas-
ingly expanded since the Clean Water Act was implemented; and
WHEREAS, 88% of the total land mass of Alaska is still owned
by the federal or state government which already exercises strict
control on its development; and
WHEREAS, Alaska's wetland areas cover approximately 170
million acres and only 80,000 acres (0.05%) of Alaska's wetlands
have been altered since 1867; and
WHEREAS, Alaska's wetlands are not endangered from a quantity
of quality perspective; and
WHEREAS, most coastal communities in Alaska are undertaking
port and harbor development and expanding marine repair facilities
and most rely on water-based transportation for the marine highway
system, fishing, processing, recreation, and tourism; and
WHEREAS, said port facilities and other infrastructure will
be built to some degree on wetlands; and
WHEREAS, local communities have been actively attempting to
diversify their economies away from the petroleum sector and such
diversification is extremely dependent on the aforementioned
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Alaska is actively trying to attract more business
to support its rich fisheries and bring it ashore, supporting the
home fleet and creating value-added jobs to build its economy; and
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 89-137
WHEREAS, local communities in Alaska have already undertaken
responsible management of wetlands resources through development
of coastal management programs which are incorporated into the
overall Alaska Coastal Management Program and approved in accor-
dance with the requirements of the Coastal Zone Management Act
(CZMA) in addition to the Alaska Corps of Engineers section 404
permitting program; and
WHEREAS, an absolute prohibition on any further "loss" or
"use" of wetlands is inappropriate in relatively undeveloped Alaska
and will be an onerous detriment to the coastal communities of
Alaska without producing any beneficial effect on the wetlands
situation in the continental United states;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
section 1. The City of Seward supports the efforts of the
Southeast Conference and respectfully requests that President Bush,
in coping with wetlands problems in other states, will consider the
negative effects a "no net loss policy" will have on vital economic
development in Alaska and will avoid subjecting Alaska to a blanket
pol icy which portends so much potential harm to its local com-
munities.
section 2. A copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to
President Bush, the Domestic Policy Council, and Alaska's Congres-
sional Delegation.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon
its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward,
Alaska, this 6th day of November, 1989.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
~~
iam C. Noll, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Burgess, Dunham, Noll, sieminski, simutis
None
Hilton, Meehan
None
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 89-137
ATTEST:
~('~ ..,). ~~
Patricia J. Jones
Acting city Clerk
(City Seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Perkins Coie, Attorneys for the
City of Seward, Alaska
rdarL. dr~
Fred B. Arvidson
city Attorney
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