Resolution 18-027 Request Reinstating Funds in Federal Budget fo KBNERR

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Aderhold

RESOLUTION 18-027

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THE ALASKA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REINSTATE FUNDS IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET FOR THE NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM TO ENSURE FUTURE CONTINUATION OF IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE KACHEMAK BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE TO THE CITY OF HOMER, OTHER KACHEMAK BAY COMMUNITIES, AND THE LOWER KENAI PENINSULA.

WHEREAS, The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR) was established in 1999 with strong support from the Kachemak Bay community as part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with state partners; and

WHEREAS, The KBNERR is one of 29 NERRs located in coastal regions throughout the U.S. and is the only NERR in the State of Alaska; and

WHEREAS, The KBNERR’s State partner is the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Conservation Science; and

WHEREAS, The KBNERR conducts research, education, and harmful species monitoring, and provides coastal training opportunities to communities located in Kachemak Bay; and

WHEREAS, The research conducted by KBNERR provides valuable information to Kachemak Bay communities about salmon and salmon habitat, marine temperatures, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and ocean circulation; and

WHEREAS, The harmful species program conducted by KBNERR involves many citizen scientists throughout Kachemak Bay, monitors for the possible introduction of nonnative species such as green crabs and tunicates which could have major economic impacts to Kachemak Bay if established, and monitors for harmful algal  blooms that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and other potentially fatal conditions to humans; and

WHEREAS, The KBNERR educates and trains residents and visitors to Kachemak Bay, ranging in age from five to ninety-five, about the ecology of Kachemak Bay and its watersheds based on research and harmful species monitoring; and

WHEREAS, The KBNERR collaborates with multiple Federal and State agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other NERRs on research, monitoring, education and coastal training; and

WHEREAS, The work of the KBNERR supports the marine economy of Kachemak Bay; and

WHEREAS, The City of Homer has relied on work performed by KBNERR to understand our risk from coastal erosion, sea level rise, and climate change; and

WHEREAS, The KBNERR is representative of the value of all NERRs in the nationwide system to local communities, states, and the nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska, requests that the Alaska Congressional Delegation reinstate funds into the Federal budget for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System to ensure future continuation of important ecological and economic contributions from the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to the City of Homer, other Kachemak Bay communities, and the lower Kenai Peninsula.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 12th day of March, 2018.

CITY OF HOMER

________________________

                                                                                                                                BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

_____________________________

RENEE KRAUSE, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A