Resolution 10-67 Accepting KPB Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program “Homer Reservoir Watershed, Forest Condition and Fuel Hazard Assessment” Report

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager

RESOLUTION 10-67

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, ACCEPTING THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SPRUCE BARK BEETLE MITIGATION PROGRAM ENTITLED “ HOMER RESERVIOR WATERSHED, FOREST CONDITION AND FUEL HAZARD ASSESSMENT”, AUTHORIZING CITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROPOSED FUEL MITIGATION AND FOREST HEALTH RESTORATION PROGRAM, AND EXTENDING THAT AUTHORIZATION TO CITY OWNED LANDS IN THE BAYCREST SKI AREA COMPLEX.

WHEREAS, Providing for public safety and protecting water quality in the Bridge Creek watershed is a top priority for the City of Homer; and

WHEREAS, The City has been working with the State Division of Forestry and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program to determine the wildfire danger in the watershed and potential threats to water quality from ash and erosion; and

WHEREAS, The Kenai Peninsula Borough Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program staff produced a report entitled “Homer Reservoir Watershed, Forest Condition and Fuel Hazard Assessment” which concluded that the forest condition is poor, fuel loads are high, fire danger is seriously elevated and will be at elevated levels for decades, wildfire in the area is likely to spread fast, be difficult to fight, kill living trees and saplings, and contribute to erosion and reservoir sedimentation; and

WHEREAS, The report states that a targeted fuel reduction and reforestation program can speed up regeneration and restoration of forest health and protect water quality; and

WHEREAS, The authors of the report made a presentation on a proposed treatment and reforestation plan at the regular City Council meeting on August 9, 2010; and

WHEREAS, The Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program has initiated a similar project on State and Borough lands which are immediately adjacent to City owned land encompassing the Baycrest Ski Trails and has offered to include the City land in the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby accepts the report prepared by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program entitled “ Homer Reservoir Watershed, Forest Condition and Fuel Hazard Assessment”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes City participation in the proposed fuel mitigation and forest health restoration program presented in the report and at the meeting on August 9, 2010.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes inclusion of City owned land in the program already initiated on state and borough land in the Baycrest area.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 9th day of August, 2010.

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A