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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06_1/2001, C13 - APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE PROPOSAL OF THE UNTIED STATES NAVY TO UTILIZE A PORTION OF HUNTER-LIGGETT MILITARY RESERVATION AS A TARGET RANGE AND URGING CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES FOR THAT ACTIVITY council A-(O j acEnaa Repoat 3 C I T Y OF S AN L U IS O B 1 S P 0 FROM: Wendy George,Assistant City Administrative Officer VJ Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager-n_d. SUBJECT: APPPROVAL OF RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE PROPOSAL OF THE UNTIED STATES NAVY TO UTILIZE A PORTION OF HUNTER-LIGGETT MILITARY RESERVATION AS A TARGET RANGE AND URGING CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES FOR THAT ACTIVITY CAO RECOMMENDATION Approve a Resolution expressing the Council's concern over the Navy's proposal and urging a full and complete consideration of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of that proposal, and consideration of alternatives to the proposal. DISCUSSION The United State Navy recently proposed to utilize a portion of Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation as a target range for jet fighters and bombers originating from Lemoore Naval Air Station in Central Valley. The proposal calls for up to 1,000 flights per year over the Military Reservation and nearby areas. This has raised serious concern by residents of the Central Coast as. to the impacts of such a program,both in terms of impacts upon the natural environment, as well as social impacts on communities. Additionally, the flights could affect the recreational and tourism value of the area. Mayor Settle has asked that staff place a Resolution regarding the matter before the City Council, so that the Council can go on record expressing its concern over this proposal and urging full evaluation of its impacts and alternatives. Staff has prepared such a Resolution, which will be forwarded to the Navy along with a cover letter. Attachment 1. Resolution C13-1 RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE PROPOSAL BY THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO USE A PORTION OF HUNTER-LIGGETT MILITARY RESERVATION AS A TARGET RANGE AND URGING CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS FOR THAT ACTIVITY WHEREAS, the United States Navy has proposed to utilize a portion of Hunter- Liggett Military Reservation in southern Monterey County, as a target range, and WHEREAS, such use will entail as many as one thousand flights per year over the Military Reservation, nearby areas of Los Padres National Forest, lands of the Hearst Corporation within which is located Hearst Castle State Historical Monument, lands of the Roman Catholic Church within which are located the still active Mission San Antonio de Padua, and other portions of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, and WHEREAS, such use may have significant environmental impacts, including disturbance of habitat for the bald eagle and the endangered California condor, disturbance to the tranquility of the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas, and disturbance to the tranquility of the coastal environs of the Big Sur and Hearst Castle, and WHEREAS, such disturbance could result in significant and unavoidable damage to those species and to the recreational and tourism values of the coastal regions of San Luis Obispo and southern Monterey County. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo hereby: Declares its concern over the proposal by the United States Navy to utilize a portion of Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation as a target range, including the attendant overflights over the range and surrounding areas; and Urges the United States Navy to carefully and completely consider the environmental and social impacts of this proposal; and Urges the United States Navy to carefully consider alternatives to the use of Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation for this proposed use. Approved and adopted this day of , 2001. On motion of , seconded by - and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: C13-2 . Resolution No. (2001 Series) Page 2 Allen K. Settle, Mayor ATTEST: Lee Price, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: C13-3