CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Roberts

RESOLUTION 09-31(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, SUPPORTING FUNDING FOR RESEARCH STAFF POSITIONS AT THE NOAA KASITSNA BAY LABORATORY AND REQUESTING SUPPORT FROM THE ALASKA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

WHEREAS, The Kasitsna Bay Laboratory (KBL) is the Alaska field station for the NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research (CCFHR); and

WHEREAS, The KBL partners with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, to provide collaborative research and education support in a marine environment; and

WHEREAS, The KBL collaborates on research with the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game; and

WHEREAS, The KBL makes an important contribution to the local economy via education, direct employment and hosting of science research programs; and

WHEREAS, KBL is located in close proximity to the diverse marine habitats of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, making an ideal location for coastal marine science studies; and

WHEREAS, The collaborative efforts of the KBL resulted in launching a large sea floor and shoreline NOAA mapping project for Kachemak Bay, providing invaluable data for shipping, commerce, habitat research and resource management; and

WHEREAS, There is a great need for accelerated studies on the effects of ocean acidification and climate change on marine ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, The KBL provides facilities to study the effects on marine habitat resulting from ocean acidification and changing climate patterns which is important to sustainable coastal fisheries and coastal communities; and

WHEREAS, The KBL has three research staff positions which are currently unfilled; and

WHEREAS, Filling the KBL research positions would assist in forming the critical mass of researchers and educators necessary to support local marine science programs; and

WHEREAS, Filling the KBL research positions would provide an economic boost to Homer; and

WHEREAS, Filling the KBL research positions will help achieve the full value of the underutilized but invaluable laboratory and support facilities; and

WHEREAS, Funding the KBL research positions would provide focused field research and long term controlled studies aimed at providing ecological forecasts for coastal resource management.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Homer, Alaska, that the City Council requests Alaska's Congressional Delegation endeavor to provide for Federal funding within NOAA for the three NOAA Kasitsna Bay laboratory research staff positions which are currently vacant.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is forwarded to the Honorable Representative Don Young, the Honorable Senator Lisa Murkowski and the Honorable Senator Mark Begich.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is forwarded to Jack Dunnigan, Director for NOAA National Ocean Service and Mary M. Glackin, Deputy Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 9th day of March, 2009.

CITY OF HOMER

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A