HOMER,
Roberts
RESOLUTION 08-84(A)
A RESOLUTION OF THE
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.
PASSED
_____________________________
JAMES
C. HORNADAY, MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________
JO JOHNSON,
Fiscal Impact: N/A