CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Mayor

RESOLUTION 02-67(S)

 

A RESOLUTION, OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOMER, ALASKA, REQUESTING THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH TO DELETE CERTAIN AREAS INSIDE CITY LIMITS FROM SPRUCE REMOVAL AS PART OF A FUEL LOAD REDUCTION SALE, IN ITS CURRENT SPRUCE BARK BEETLE MITIGATION PROGRAM.

 

            WHEREAS, The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) is presently asking for comments on a proposed timber sales and timber harvest on certain KPB lands within the City of Homer; and

 

            WHEREAS, Many Homer residents have concerns about the long term effects on these harvest operations; and

 

            WHEREAS, The local area Soil and Water Conservation District has written a letter regarding the Baycrest  Sale; and

 

            WHEREAS, The City of Homer Fire Chief has written statements concerning certain timber harvest units (THU); and

 

            WHEREAS, The City of Homer is a well established financial backer and supporter of the areawide Kachemak Nordic Ski Club, and the ski club has dire concerns about certain THU; and

 

            WHEREAS, Harvest operations in similar high value wetland areas of a certain THU has left possible irreversible damage to natural groundwater flow regimes; and

 

            WHEREAS, Certain commercial and private water wells and the City of Homer water consumers have much at stake in watershed areas of a certain THU; and

 

            WHEREAS, Area residents have long expressed concerns regarding the timber harvest and the watershed; and   

 

            WHEREAS, The value of the timber or chips harvested, may be miniscule, compared to other costs that may occur from the harvest operation on these public lands.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Homer City Council that the following units be removed from the KPB proposed fuel sale in unit 8:

            THU  #1: Baycrest

            THU #1: Kachemak

            THU #1: Paul Banks

            THU #1: Skyline

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any fuel reduction deemed necessary in these units be determined only after joint evaluation by all stake holders and user groups of the proposed unit, and that methods employed for reduction, reflect a balance of the long term needs and beneficial use of all users of these public lands.

 

            PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 23rd day of September, 2002.

                                                                                                CITY OF HOMER

 

                                                                                                ____________________________
ATTEST:                                                                                  JACK CUSHING, MAYOR

________________________________
MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note not required.