HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2020-031 Sponsored by: Council Member Baclaan
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-031
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A KENAI
PENINSULA BOROUGH RESILIENCE AND SECURITY COMMISSION
WHEREAS, annual air temperatures in the Kenai Peninsula Borough have risen by 3.4
degrees Fahrenheit since 1969, and July, 2019 was the warmest month on record in Alaska; and
WHEREAS, in August, 2019, most of the Kenai Peninsula Borough was in "Severe
Drought" status, and for the first time, parts of the northern peninsula reached "Extreme
Drought" status; and
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough issued three disaster declarations throughout
the summer of 2019 in response to multiple fires and droughts caused or exacerbated by
increased average temperature and decreased level of rainfall; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Swan Lake Fire was far and away the most expensive fire in the
country, at an estimated cost to fight of$46 million; and
WHEREAS,continuation of current climate trends may increase the risk and intensity of
wildfires resulting from drought and increasing temperatures across the Borough; and
WHEREAS, current winter trends indicate that the southern Kenai Peninsula will lose
10-20%of its snowpack by 2030-2059; and
WHEREAS, water temperatures in non-glacial Cook Inlet streams are exceeding
physiological thresholds for salmon; and
WHEREAS, continuation of current climate trends threatens the future of salmon runs
on the Kenai Peninsula by depleting water levels and raising temperatures in local watersheds;
and
WHEREAS, ocean acidification will continue to damage vital nurseries for many fish
stocks in Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet; and
WHEREAS,the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has determined that the effects of
the changing climate are "beginning to impact Alaska's natural systems and the uses they
sustain"; and
WHEREAS, infrastructure and private property values are threatened by increasing
instances of flooding; and
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-031
WHEREAS, the City of Seward stands to risk significant economic and social harm
should the integrity of local fisheries and surrounding natural environment be further
compromised; and
WHEREAS, the Cityof Seward has tasked the Port and Commerce AdvisoryBoard to
draft a Seward Climate Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward passed a resolution in support of the inclusion of a
"Kenai Peninsula Borough Commission on Sustainability" in the Kenai Peninsula Borough's
final 2019 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Comprehensive Plan, Focus Area: Land Use,
Objective G, Strategy 1 states, "Form a Kenai Peninsula Borough Commission on
Sustainability"; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Comprehensive Plan, Focus Area: Land Use,
Objective G, Strategy 2 states, "Develop a climate change action plan..."; and
WHEREAS, the Borough Comprehensive Plan outlines strategies for renewable energy:
Focus Area: Energy & Utilities, Objective C states, "Support residential, community and region
wide renewable energy initiatives and projects...Charge the commission with developing a
renewable energy strategy to investigate and make recommendations for feasible renewable
energies for Kenai Peninsula"; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Comprehensive Plan, Focus Area: Agriculture &
Mariculture, Objective A states, "Support a more sustainable and resilient Kenai Peninsula by
increasing production and distribution of quality,healthy agricultural products for local, state and
export markets"; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Comprehensive Plan, Focus Area: Agriculture &
Mariculture,Objective C states,"Encourage greater local and regional self-sufficiency"; and
WHEREAS,the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Comprehensive Plan, Focus Area: Agriculture &
Mariculture, Objective B states, "Sustain and create new agriculture-related jobs and
businesses"; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Comprehensive Plan, Focus Area: Solid Waste
Services, Objective C states, "Increase awareness of and opportunities for waste reduction and
landfill diversion, including Reduce, Recycle, Reuse"; and
WHEREAS, it is in Kenai Peninsula Borough's interest to implement policies that
mitigate against known hazards, invest in local agriculture, improve the efficiency of buildings
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-031
and transportation, reduce solid waste, protect habitats of fish and wildlife, and invest in modern,
clean, local sources of energy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby supports the establishment of a Kenai
Peninsula Borough Resilience and Security Commission.
Section 2. Copies of this resolution shall be mailed to the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Mayor Charlie Pierce, members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, and members of the
Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
13`1' day of April, 2020.
TH ITY F
Christy Terry, ayor
AYES: Osenga, McClure, Butts, Crites, Seese, Baclaan, Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. B , MMC
City Clerk
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