HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-54RESOLUTION NO. 2006-54
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH
REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DECLARE A 2006
PACIFIC SALMON DISASTER AND URGING THE DEPARTMENTS OF
COMMERCE, INTERIOR AND AGRICULTURE TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO
ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE, BASIN-WIDE RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE
KLAMATH RIVER BASIN
WHEREAS, the 2006 ocean and in-river Pacific salmon season may be severely
restricted along the 700 mile stretch of coastline from Point Falcon, Oregon to Point Sur,
California, a geographic area encompassing the majority of the Oregon and California coastline;
and
WHEREAS, the abundance of Klamath River fall Chinook salmon spawner escapement
level of 35,000 fish will not be met for the third year in a row; and
WHEREAS, biologists and scientific experts believe that the Klamath River will not
produce salmon above the escapement floor for the next 2-3 years; and
WHEREAS, the socio-economic impact will be devastating to coastal communities and
the commercial, recreational and tribal fisheries; and
WHEREAS, the direct economic impact on commercial and recreational fisheries of a
severely restricted season in both states will result in losses estimated to exceed $100 million;
and
WHEREAS, the multiplier effect on businesses such as river guides, motels, restaurants,
markets, fuel sales, tackle shops, marine hardware, bait sales, boat repair and other ancillary
businesses could exceed $300 million; and
WHEREAS, the impact of the proposed season restriction is deleterious to both the
lower and upper basin communities of the Klamath River; and
WHEREAS, the conditions in the Klamath River are not conducive to sustaining healthy
salmonids and the National Academy of Sciences has recommended a basin-wide restoration
plan that outlines a short and long term approach to restoring the Klamath River basin's
Chinook and Coho salmon stocks;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Ukiah:
1) Requests the Department of Commerce to act quickly to declare a 2006 Pacific Salmon
Disaster, as provided for under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act; and 2) Requests that the Departments of Commerce, Interior and Agriculture take
immediate steps to adopt a restoration plan that is quantifiable, including consideration of ocean
conditions and monitoring of habitat in the ocean, and results oriented for the Klamath River
Basin, such as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 3rd day of May, 2006, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Councilmembers Crane, McCowen, Rodin, Baldwin, and Mayor Ashiku
~Ma~l~/~shikul May-"or '
ATTEST:
Marie Ulvila, City Clerk