CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

MAYOR/CITY MANAGER

RESOLUTION 03-58

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, ENCOURAGING THE STATE OF ALASKA TO SUPPORT ACQUISITION OF THE 160-ACRE “FOWLER PROPERTY” IN THE DIAMOND CREEK CORRIDOR UTILIZING FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM THROUGH THE ALASKA DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION.

 

         WHEREAS, Diamond Creek is a significant recreation area located only 3.5 miles from Homer city center, encompassing the popular Homestead Trail and Baycrest Trail system; and

         WHEREAS, the Diamond Creek corridor serves thousands of resident and visiting hikers, equestrians, and skiers, including approximately 500 students from Homer schools who depend on the trails for daily cross-country ski practice and district and statewide races; and

         WHEREAS, Homer benefits economically from tourism and recreation activities in the Diamond Creek area; and

         WHEREAS, the Diamond Creek corridor also provides important habitat to moose, brown bear, black bear, lynx, wolves, fox, coyotes, migratory birds, and nesting bald eagles; and

         WHEREAS, a 160-acre parcel (“Fowler property”) at the heart of the area was recently sold and slated for subdivision, a development which would eliminate many of the recreational uses area residents and visitors now enjoy on that property; and

         WHEREAS, the owner of that parcel is willing to sell the property for conservation purposes at fair market value; and

         WHEREAS, the Forest Legacy Program of the USDA Forest Service was established to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands threatened with conversion to non-forest uses; and

         WHEREAS, Alaska has been eligible to participate in the Forest Legacy Program beginning in Fiscal Year 2003, with funds allocated to the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation; and

         WHEREAS, a purchase price has been established and a significant portion of the 25% private match has been raised to acquire the Fowler property using Forest Legacy Program funds; and

         WHEREAS, the Fowler property was identified by the Forest Legacy Program for acquisition in Fiscal Year 2004, but cannot be purchased without authority by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, to receive and spend Forest Legacy Program funds; and

         WHEREAS, the budget proposed by the Murkowski administration removes such authority for FY 04; and

         WHEREAS, the City of Homer is committed to maintaining the recreational, open space, educational, cultural, and wildlife habitat values of the Diamond Creek watershed and the Baycrest Trail network for future generations.

 

Page Two

Resolution 03-58

City of Homer

         NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Homer City Council that the City of Homer strongly encourages the Alaska Legislature and the Murkowski admini­stration to restore receipt authority to the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, so that the Fowler property in the Diamond Creek corridor can be purchased through the federal Forest Legacy Program in Fiscal Year 2004.

         PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL this 14th day of April , 2003.

                                                                        CITY OF HOMER

 

 

                                                                                                                        ________________________
                                                                        Jack Cushing, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

___________________________
Mary L. Calhoun, City Clerk

 

Fiscal Impact: NA