HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 95 -23 RESOLUTION NO. 95- 23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
WHEREAS, reauthorization of the Federal Endangered Species Act (hereinafter,
the Act) is pending before the Congress of the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the Act as currently constituted, implemented and administered has
resulted in significant impacts on local governments, jobs, housing availability and
costs, essential public services, and the overall quality of life and private property in
those areas and communities affected by threatened and endangered species and their
habitat; and,
WHEREAS, amending the Act can resolve and rectify many of these problems
while simultaneously providing adequate safeguards to ensure conservation of the
Nation's threatened and endangered wildlife resources; and,
WHEREAS, amendments to the Act have been identified and endorsed by the
Western Riverside Council of Governments, of which the City of San Jacinto is a
member, to provide for human needs and a sound economy while also providing for the
long-term survival of rare, threatened and endangered species;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of San Jacinto of the State of
California does hereby endorse and support amendments to the federal Endangered
Species Act which are consistent with the following principles:
a. Listing Decisions - The existing requirements for use of "best scientific
and commercial data available" and "substantial scientific or commercial
information" do not always ensure an adequate level of data and
information upon which to make listing decisions. More extensive
information and a higher factual and scientific threshold should be
required to support the listing process. This should also include an
improved and expanded scientific peer review process, and standards for
the content of citizen listing petitions.
b. Funding - The Federal and State governments should fund a fair-share
contribution of conservation planning and mitigation. Financial assistance
should be provided to local governments to assist in the development and
implementation of conservation efforts; such as matching funds, funding
for debt service, greater use of Land and Water Conservation fund
monies, loan guarantees, income or capital gains tax credit, and similar
measures.
C. Economic Impact - Listing decisions currently do not include consideration
of the economic actions, conditions and costs necessary for the
conservation and recovery of a species. Economic cost considerations
should be included in listing decisions, and economics infused throughout
the process. This is not necessarily to say that economics should
outweigh species protection, but rather that the law should give more
consideration to the economic affects and cost associated with the listing
and recovery of a species.
d. Public Lands - Maximum use of public lands for conservation of
threatened and endangered species. The use of public lands should be
the first priority for the purposes of meeting the habitat and conservation
needs of the ESA.
e. Species vs. Habitat - There is concern over the individual, species-by-
species approach to listing and conservation. A broader, multiple-species
habitat conservation approach is favorable. Language which recognizes
the value of comprehensive multi-species planning and conservation
should be included in the ESA.
f. Abuse of Administrative Discretion - The ESA must establish clear
guidelines and standards for the type and extent of biological and other
information needed or required by the USFWS for habitat conservation
plans, and the like, to avoid unwarranted pressure for more information
and studies from federal staff. There should be no "moving targets".
Criteria should be established up front in the process.
9. Agreement on Approved Plans - Once a multi-species conservation plan
is approved, it should be accepted as meeting all local obligations for the
area covered and any new species subsequently listed should not require
additional action if that species is adequately covered by the previously
approved plan. Mitigation of new species subsequently listed will be the
sole responsibility of the federal government.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2ndday of May1995 by the following
vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Leahy, Oaks , Williams , and Solorio
NOES: None
ABSENT: Council Seat Vacant
ABSTAIN: None
- J '
ayor
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing is certified to be a true copy of Resolution No. 95- 2 3duly adopted by the
said City Council of the City of San Jacinto on the date set forth therein.
Deputy City Clerk