HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 1041 I RESOLUTION NO. 1041
2) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO
URGING OPPOSITION TO PROPOSITION NO. 17 ON THE NOVEMBER 1974
3� BALLOT WHICH WOULD STOP THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW MELONES DAM
4 WHEREAS, Proposition No. 17 on the November 5, 1974 ballot will stop con-
5 struction of the New Melones Reservoir Project on the Stanislaus River upon
6 which $80 million will have been spent by November; and
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7 WHEREAS, the issue in Proposition 17 is whether a small number of commer-
81' cial rafting companies who profit by their activities, together with a relative-
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9 ly small number of rafting enthusiasts , can block a project that has the approv-
10 � al of all state and federal agencies involved and all environmental groups in
11 the area as it would enhance the environment in may significant ways; and
12 WHEREAS, Proposition 17 was qualified as an initiative by petitioners claim
13 ing the Stanislaus to be a "wild river" ; and
14 WHEREAS, in fact the flow of the nine-mile section of river which the pro-
15 ponents seek to place in the wild river system is provided by two upstream dams ,
16 otherwise there would be water for rafting for only a short time each year; and
17 WHEREAS, New Melones will prevent flooding on the lower Stanislaus River
18 that has historically resulted in damage of $1 ,900,000 annually; and
19 WHEREAS, it will save 93,000,000,000 gallons of water annually for munici-
20 pal , industrial , and irriguation use with annual benefits of $3,600,000; and
21 WHEREAS, it will produce 430,000,000 kilowatt hours of clean electric power
22 annually, providing enough power to 'meet the domestic needs for-a community of
23 200,000 and not requiring the use of fossil fuel thus saving annually about
24 700,000 barrels of crude oil , a major consideration in this time of energy
2 5 shortage,
26 WHEREAS, tt will provide recreational facilities estimated to be 4,000,000
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days per year as contrasted with 80,000 recreational days annually for the I
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28 river's present use; and
29 WHEREAS, it will provide development of 55 miles of the lower Stanislaus
30 River for parks, campgrounds, fishing access and protection for 3,500 acres of
31 wildlife habitat; and
32 WHEREAS, it will provide improved spawning grounds for salmon and steelhead
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1 and improved stream fishing for salmon, trout, steelhead , shad, striped bass
2 and sturgeon; and j
3 WHEREAS, it will provide improved access to the river for the public to
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4 enjoy numerous environmental and recreational facilities; and
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5 WHEREAS, the proponents of Proposition 17 would sacrifice all of this , in-
6 cluding the major environmental benefits , for a small amount of man-made white
7 water for expensive rafting purposes; and
8 WHEREAS, all environmental and ecology groups in this area, including the
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9 Sierra Club, who understand the project and its benefits are solidly in supporti
10 of the project and against Proposition 17 ,
11 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Jacinto
12 that it urges a "NO" vote on Proposition 17 by all citizens of the state.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council urges all persons having questions
14 or needing information regarding the environmental impact of this project to
15 contact the State Department of Fish and Game, the State Resources Agency, the
16 United States Bureau of Sports , Fisheries and Wild`'ife and the United States
17 Corps of Army Engineers.
18 INTRODUCED, PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of San
19 Jacinto September 17 , 1974.
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21 r ' ` . `,: enram"
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22 ATTEST:
LUCY MAY CITY;.C,LERK
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De r"
25 CERTIFICATE
26 The foregoing is certified to be a true copy of a Resolution duly adopted
27 the the said City Council of the City of San Jacinto on the, date set forthe
28 above.
29 LUCY MAY ALLEN, CITY CLERK
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31 Deputy
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