HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 21-96RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD REGARDING THE OPERATION AND
MANAGEMENT OF ISABELLA RESERVOIR FOR THE
PROPOSED CRITICAL HABITAT OF THE SOUTHWESTERN
WILLOW FLYCATCHER
WHEREAS, On February 27, 1995 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ("USFWS") designated the
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher as an endangered species, however, the listing did not include the
proposed critical habitat in the areas around Isabella Reservoir and portions of the South Fork of
the Kern River; and,
WHEREAS, The USFWS issued an October 10, 1995 letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
("Corps") stating that certain water levels of Isabella Reservoir could adversely effect the proposed
critical habitat of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and such actions could constitute an
unauthorized "take" of the endangered species; and,
WHEREAS, The USFWS desires the Corps to maintain lower lake water surface elevations in an
effort to limit the inundation of habitat areas and has indicated the potential to permanently limit
storage in the reservoir to a level below flood storage design capacity; and,
WHEREAS, The USFWS requested actions would impact the flood control and water conservation
practices of Isabella Reservoir and affect the quality of life and economic well being of the residents
and citizens of the City of Bakersfield, by causing water to be lost to the Bakersfield area and
increasing flooding potential; and,
WHEREAS, alternative courses of action that are less costly and less disruptive to the economy and
people of Bakersfield have not been fully pursued;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
1. That the Council of the City of Bakersfield does hereby oppose the requested restrictions
and limitations on the operation and management of Isabella Reservoir as proposed by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
2. That the United States Government continue to follow with the October 23, 1964 Isabella
Storage Agreement which designates priority to the operation of Isabella Reservoir for flood control
and water conservation purposes.
3. That the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ascertain and analyze the proposed designation by
valid socio-economic, biological, hydrological and botanical methods before the critical habitat of
the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher is determined.
.......... O00 ..........
OR~GtN^L
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed by t~6Council of the City of
Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on FIrB 0 ~ , by the
following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER DeMOND, CARSON, SMITH, Ivlc~ERMOTr, ROWLE$, gULLNAN, SALVAGGIO
NOES: COUNCILMEMgER ~'~ 0 ~.~
ABSTAIN: COUNClt.M~MB~R IX3~n ~
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED FEB 0 ~ lg~B
MAYOR of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED as to form:
JUDY K. SKOUSEN
CITY ATTORNEY
Assistant Git y~x~T~ey