CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Roberts

RESOLUTION 08-84(A)

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, TO SUPPORT ACQUISITION OF THE +205-ACRE “TULIN SKYLINE HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION” IN THE DIAMOND CREEK WATERSHED UTILIZING FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM THROUGH THE ALASKA DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION.

 

          WHEREAS, Tulin Skyline Heights Subdivision is adjacent to a significant recreation area located only 3.5 miles from Homer city center, adjacent to the popular Homestead Trail and Baycrest Trail system; and

 

          WHEREAS, The Diamond Creek watershed serves thousands of  residents 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 watershed also provides important habitat to moose, brown bear, black bear, lynx, wolves, fox, coyotes, small mammals, sand hill cranes, migratory birds, songbirds and nesting bald eagles. The acquisition of this property would completes a wildlife corridor from the headwaters of Diamond Creek all the way to the beach at Diamond Creek State Park; and

 

          WHEREAS, A 205-acre (+ or -) parcel, (“Tulin Skyline Heights Subdivision”) adjacent to the Baycrest Trail system, is being developed as a subdivision and includes a one mile long air strip which would affect recreational use, wildlife habitat and peace and quiet of the neighborhoods; 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 it is anticipated that the Exxon EVOS funds will provide the 25% private match to acquire the Tulin Skyline Heights Subdivision property using Forest Legacy Program funds; and

 

          WHEREAS, It is anticipated the Tulin Skyline Heights Subdivision property will be identified by the Forest Legacy Program for acquisition in Fiscal Year 2009, 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 City of Homer is committed to expanding and maintaining the recreational, open space, educational, cultural, and wildlife habitat values of the Diamond Creek watershed and the Baycrest Trail network for future generations; and

 

            WHEREAS, The City of Homer has already accepted title to adjacent parcels within the Diamond Creek Watershed and Baycrest Trail System (Borough parcel numbers 173-022-01 and 173-032-29, also known as the University Land), that were acquired using Forestry Legacy Funds and would consider accepting title to this property as well if it helped to facilitate its acquisition for the purposes stated herein.

 

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Homer City Council that the City of Homer strongly supports the acquisition of the Tulin Skyline Heights Subdivision, so that the Tulin Skyline Heights Subdivision property in the Diamond Creek watershed can be purchased through the federal Forest Legacy Program in Fiscal Year 2009.

 

          PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL this 28th day of July, 2008.

 

                                                                        CITY OF HOMER

 

 

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

                                                                                                                         

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Impact: N/A