Resolution 17-066 Supporting Efforts of Woodard Creek Coalition and the Woodard Creek Watershed Plan

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Aderhold

RESOLUTION 17-066

A RESOLUTION  OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, RECOGNIZING THE FUNCTIONS AND VALUES OF THE WOODARD CREEK WATERSHED, ACKNOWLEDGING THE WOODARD CREEK COALITION’S FEBRUARY 2017 WOODARD CREEK WATERSHED PLAN, REFERENCING APPROPRIATE SECTIONS OF THE PLAN IN THE CITY OF HOMER’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, PROMOTING THE PLAN ON THE CITY OF HOMER’S WEBSITE, AND MAKING THE PLAN AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

WHEREAS, Woodard Creek, which flows from its headwaters atop the bluff through Homer’s central business district and into the Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Area at Bishop’s Beach, is Homer’s most prominent perennial stream; and

WHEREAS, The Woodard Creek watershed rests largely in an area considered urban/residential under the City of Homer building code, and South Peninsula Hospital, Pratt Museum, Saint John’s Baptist Church, many private residences and small businesses, and Karen Hornaday Park and the Homer Playground are built within the Woodard Creek watershed; and

WHEREAS, Development has changed the natural flow of Woodard Creek through channelization, culverts, and riparian encroachment; and

WHEREAS, Woodard Creek is subject to flooding and erosion during storm events, which can damage private property, roads, and other important infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, In spite of these modifications, Woodard Creek continues to support vibrant ecological and aesthetic functions and values, including native plants, large and small mammals, birds, insects, microbes, and nutrients that natural systems need to flourish; and

WHEREAS, Woodard Creek is a vital community asset that enhances conservation efforts, promotes recreational outlets, protects against flooding hazards, adds value to the central business district, and enhances the quality of life for residents and tourists alike; and

WHEREAS, Interested Homer citizens, the Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, Cook Inletkeeper, Friends of Woodard Creek and Karen Hornaday Park, the Pratt Museum, Homer Council on the Arts, Bunnell Street Art Center, Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships, South Peninsula Hospital, Kenai Watershed Forum, and the City of Homer formed the Woodard Creek Coalition; and

WHEREAS, The Woodard Creek Coalition received a grant from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program to develop a plan for Woodard Creek; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Woodard Creek Coalition is to bring together diverse groups, property owners, and citizens to promote the health and safety of the Woodard Creek watershed as a community asset; and

WHEREAS, The City of Homer Planning Department participated in the planning and drafting of the Woodard Creek Watershed Plan; and

WHEREAS, The Woodard Creek Coalition completed the Woodard Creek Watershed Plan in February 2017 after numerous public meetings and opportunities for public comment; and

WHEREAS, The Woodard Creek Watershed Plan characterizes the watershed, discusses watershed issues, details goals and objectives to improve public awareness and restore and protect the natural functions and flow of Woodard Creek, and provides an action plan for meeting the goals and objectives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the that the City Council of Homer, Alaska hereby recognizes the natural functions and values of the Woodard Creek watershed and acknowledges the Woodard Creek Coalition’s February 2017 Woodard Creek Watershed Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Homer will reference appropriate sections of the Woodard Creek Watershed Plan in its revisions to the City of Homer Comprehensive Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Homer will promote the Woodard Creek Watershed Plan on the Planning Department’s page of the City of Homer’s Planning website and will make the plan available in the Planning Department for reference by home and business owners living in the Woodard Creek watershed.

                PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council, this 26th day of June, 2017.

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

___________________________________
Melissa Jacobsen, MMC, CITY CLERK