HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 04-19 Acquisition of Cathton Property for Benefit of CVMSHCP RESOLUTION NO. 04-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING ACQUISITION OF THE
8,881 -ACRE CATHTON PROPERTY TO BENEFIT THE
COACHELLA VALLEY MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT
CONSERVATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert is a member of the Coachella Valley
Association of Governments (CVAG), which was formed in 1973 under California's Joint
Powers Law to address issues of Valley-wide significance; and
WHEREAS, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments has been the lead
agency in the preparation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation
Plan (MSHCP); and
WHEREAS,the Coachella Valley Association of Governments,as a permitee under
the plan, will cooperate in the conservation of lands within the MSHCP Reserve System;
and
WHEREAS, the 8,881-acre Cathton Property is fully included within the Indio
Hills/Joshua Tree National Park Linkage Conservation Area, which provides a critical
connection between Joshua Tree National Park and the Indio Hills, including the
Coachella Valley Preserve; and
WHEREAS, acquisition of the Cathton Property will secure the long-term
conservation of the Coachella Valley Preserve, which was established, as a result of the
investment of significant public funds, to protect habitat for the Coachella Valley
Fringe-toed Lizard, including the sand transport system that supports the Preserve's sand
dunes and the native desert fan palm oases; and
WHEREAS, development of the lands known as the Cathton property could result
in significant impacts to the conservation value of the Coachella Valley Preserve and other
lands within the MSHCP Reserve System as a result of impacts to the sand source and
sand transport systems; potential for nutrient and chemical pollution;water table depletion;
and loss of the wildlife movement corridor and edge effects from development to
Joshua Tree National Park and the Coachella Valley Preserve; and
WHEREAS, a public-private partnership of funding agencies has been identified,
including the State Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, the State Wildlife
Conservation Board, California State Parks, CVAG, City of Palm Desert, The
Nature Conservancy, and the Resources Legacy Fund, and funds committed to acquire
the Cathton property at fair market value; and
RESOLUTION NO. 04-1:,
WHEREAS, Cathton Investments, Inc., a willing seller and member of the business
community, has shown good faith in this acquisition and should not be subject to
unreasonable delays in completing the acquisition when funds are available; and
WHEREAS, conservation of the Cathton property lands is an essential component
of implementation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and
a key acquisition in protecting rare and rapidly disappearing Coachella Valley natural
areas; and
WHEREAS,acquisition of the Cathton property will provide benefits to the residents
of and visitors to the Coachella Valley over and above the benefits of the Multiple Species
Habitat Conservation Plan, including protection of the quality of life,opportunities for a rural
lifestyle, a potential State Park desert camping facility, cultural resources, an open space
area that offers hiking and access opportunities into Joshua Tree National Park, and the
economic benefits associated with tourism and visitation to these natural areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Palm Desert, California, recognizes the importance of protecting this significant and unique
natural area as part of a critical link between Joshua Tree National Park and the
Coachella Valley Preserve that will serve as an enduring legacy of our heritage and will
secure for present and future generations the ability to experience the natural and cultural
treasures of this area, and hereby indicates its full support for the acquisition of the Cathton
Property by the Wildlife Conservation Board and other partners, and encourages the
completion of this acquisition in as timely a manner as possible.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert
City Council held on this day of , 2004, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ROBERT A. SPIEGEL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY COUNCI ACTION:
APPROVED " DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
J EETI A
ff
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERKAYES:NE •iVI
�� •.Ill �� 1 P
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNI ABSENT: IjSUY1
ABSTAIN: 11 ,4
VEIfIFIED BY: Y<.c TY9 '11
Original on File ,f5 ith City Clerk's Office
CVAG
COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS
Blythe • Cathedral City • Coachella • Desert Hot Springs • Indian Wells • Indio • La Quinta • Palm Desert • Palm Springs • Rancho Mirage
County of Riverside • Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians • Cabazon Band of Mission Indians • Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
March 3, 2004
Mr. Al Wright, Executive Director
Wildlife Conservation Board
1807 13th Street, Suite 103
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Mr. Wright:
At the past meeting of CVAG's Executive Committee, members approved a
Resolution in support of the acquisition of the Cathton property near the Joshua
Tree National Park for permanent conservation. Please find attached, a copy of the
Executive Committee Resolution approved on February 23, 2004 and the Riverside
County Board of Supervisor's Resolution approved on February 24, 2004.
If you have any questions regarding the Cathton acquisition, please do not
hesitate to call me at (760) 346-1127 or Bill Havert at (909) 790-3405.
-Sincerely,
/
}
ij
John M. Wohlmuth
Executive Director
73-710 Fred Waring Drive. Suite 200 • Palm Desert, CDL. 92260 • [760) 346-1127 • FAX [760) 340-5949
RESOLUTION NO. 04-001
A RESOLUTION OF
THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
SUPPORTING THE ACQUISITION OF THE 8,881 ACRE CATHTON PROPERTY
TO BENEFIT THE COACHELLA VALLEY MULTIPLE SPECIES
HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments has been the
lead agency in the preparation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan, and
WHEREAS, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, as a
permittee under the plan, will cooperate in the conservation of lands within the
MSHCP Reserve System, and
WHEREAS, the 8,881 acre Cathton Property is fully included within the
Indio Hills/Joshua Tree National Park Linkage Conservation Area which provides a
critical connection between Joshua Tree National Park and the Indio Hills,
including the Coachella Valley Preserve, and
WHEREAS, acquisition of the Cathton Property will secure the long term
conservation of the Coachella Valley Preserve which was established, as a result
of the investment of significant public funds, to protect habitat for the Coachella
Valley Fringe-toed Lizard, including the sand transport system that supports the
preserve's sand dunes, and the native desert fan palm oases, and
WHEREAS, development of the lands known as the Cathton property could
result in significant impacts to the conservation value of the Coachella Valley
Preserve and other lands within the MSHCP Reserve System as a result of
impacts to the sand source and sand transport systems; potential for nutrient and
chemical pollution; water table depletion; and loss of the wildlife movement
corridor and edge effects from development to Joshua Tree National Park and the
Coachella Valley Preserve, and
WHEREAS, a public-private partnership of funding agencies has been
identified, including the state Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, the state
Wildlife Conservation Board, California State Parks, CVAG, City of Palm Desert,
The Nature Conservancy, and the Resources Legacy Fund, and funds committed
to acquire the Cathton property at fair market value, and
Resolution in Support of Catnton Acquisition
Page Two
WHEREAS, Cathton Investments, Inc., a willing seller and member of the
business community, has shown good faith in this acquisition and should not be
subject to unreasonable delays in completing the acquisition when funds are
available, and
WHEREAS, conservation of the Cathton property lands is an essential
component of implementation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan and a key acquisition in protecting rare and rapidly disappearing
Coachella Valley natural areas, and
WHEREAS, acquisition of the Cathton property will provide benefits to the
residents of and visitors to the Coachella Valley over and above the benefits of
the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, including protection of the quality
of life, opportunities for a rural lifestyle, a potential State Park desert camping
facility, cultural resources, an open space area that offers hiking and access
opportunities into Joshua Tree National Park, and the economic benefits
associated with tourism and visitation to these natural areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Coachella Valley Association
of Governments recognizes the importance of protecting this significant and
unique natural area, as part of a critical link between Joshua Tree National Park
and the Coachella Valley Preserve that will serve as an enduring legacy of our
heritage and will secure for present and future generations the ability to
experience the natural and cultural treasures of this area, and hereby indicates its
full support for the acquisition of the Cathton Property by the Wildlife
Conservation Board and other partners, and encourages the completion of this
acquisition in as timely a manner as possible.
The foregoing Resolution was passed by the COACHELLA VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS this 3rd day of March, , 2004.
APPROVE :
Dated: Z, aJ 044
George Ste ler, CVAG Chair
a�as8¢
Dated:
;Jon Wohlmuth, CVAG Chair
SUBI FAL TO THE BOARD OF SUPER DRS ,{ R
. o. Yf4
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA o .• so
it 1111t:i
M;r9..,9
FROM: Supervisor Wilson SUBMITTAL DATE: Feb 2, 2004
SUBJECT: Purchase of "Cathton Property near Joshua Tree National Park, for purposes of
conservation.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: That the Board of Supervisors endorse the attached Resolution
2004-090 in support of the Cathton Property purchase.
BACKGROUND The Cathton Property comprises some 8,881 acres which is vital habitat linkage
between Joshua Tree National Park and the Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard Preserve. This
large piece of pristine desert should be preserved for posterity, and is, in fact, a vital part of the
proposed Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
EACH DOCUMENT TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATE IS
ATTACHE IS CERTIFIED TO BE A FULL, TRUE AND
CORRECT DCOPY OF THE ORIGINAL ON FILE AND OF
RECORD IN MY O FICE.
: . �.� / i - .ZS
I :,
Nancy R.• .4�
Clerk to '' - Board of . -
amp
i
� ' Riverside,Ca
lkok
/!
Supervi ..„
y---.:,.. .
ilson
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
On motion of Supervisor Venable, seconded by Supervisor Tavaglione and duly carried by
unanimous vote, IT WAS ORDERED that the above matter is approved as recommended.
Ayes: Buster, Tavaglione, Venable, Wilson and Ashley
Noes: None zN ncy,kkomero
Absent: None J. 4he' oard ,-/
Date: February 10, 2004 y"`'`�`--
xc: Supv. Wilson, Co.Co. cs Deputy v-�
Dist. 4th AGENDA NO.
3 .Prev.Agn.ref. 2
8
RESOLUTION NO . 2004-090
1 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE SUPPORTING
THE ACQUISITION OF THE 8 , 881 ACRE CATHTON PROPERTY
2 TO BENEFIT THE COACHELLA VALLEY MULTIPLE SPECIES
HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
3
4 WHEREAS, the County of Riverside has participated in the
preparation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat
5 Conservation Plan, and
6 WHEREAS, the County of Riverside as a permittee under the
plan will cooperate in the conservation of lands within the MSHCP
7 Reserve System, and
8 WHEREAS, the 8 , 881 acre Cathton Property is fully included
within the Indio Hills/ Joshua Tree National Park Linkage
9 Conservation Area which provides a critical connection between
Joshua Tree National Park and the Indio Hills, including the
10 Coachella Valley Preserve, and
11 WHEREAS acquisition of the Cathton Property will secure the
long term conservation of the Coachella Valley Preserve which was
12 established, as a result of the investment of significant public
funds, to protect habitat for the Coachella Valley fringe-toed
13 lizard, including the sand transport system that supports the
preserve' s sand dunes, and the native desert fan palm oases , and
14
WHEREAS, development of the lands known as the Cathton
15 property could result in significant impacts to the conservation
value of the Coachella Valley Preserve and other lands within the
16 MSHCP Reserve System as a result of impacts to the sand source
and sand transport systems; potential for nutrient and chemical
17 pollution; water table depletion; and loss of the wildlife
movement corridor and edge effects from development to Joshua
18 Tree National Park and the Coachella Valley Preserve, and
19 WHEREAS, a public-private partnership of funding agencies
has been identified, including the state Coachella Valley
20 Mountains Conservancy, the state Wildlife Conservation Board,
California State Parks, CVAG, City of Palm Desert, The Nature
21 Conservancy, and the Resources Legacy Fund, which have funds
committed to acquire the Cathton property at fair market value,
22 and
23 WHEREAS, Cathton Investments, Inc . , a willing seller and
member of the business community, has shown good faith in this
24 acquisition and should not be subject to unreasonable delays in
completing the acquisition when funds are available, and
25
WHEREAS, conservation of the Cathton property lands is an
26 essential component of implementation of the Coachella Valley
Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and a key acquisition
27 in protecting rare and rapidly disappearing Coachella Valley
natural areas , and
28 ,
3.2
KER j 0 2004
Resolution in Support of Cathton Acquisition
1 Page two
2 WHEREAS., acquisition of the Cathton property will provide
benefits to the residents of and visitors to the Coachella Valley
3 over and above the benefits of the Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan, including protection of the quality of life,
4 opportunities for a rural lifestyle, a potential State Park
desert camping facility, cultural resources, an open space area
5 that offers hiking and access opportunities into Joshua Tree
National Park, and the economic benefits associated with tourism
6 and visitation to these natural areas .
7 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Riverside County Board
of Supervisors recognizes the importance of protecting this
8 significant and unique natural area, as part of a critical link
between Joshua Tree National Park and the Coachella Valley
9 Preserve that will serve as an enduring legacy of our heritage
and will secure for present and future generations the ability to
10 experience the natural and cultural treasures of this area, and
hereby indicates its full support for the acquisition of the
11 Cathton Property by the Wildlife Conservation Board and other
partners, and encourages the completion of this acquisition , in as
12 timely a manner as possible.
13 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the
Board of Supervisors held on this 10 day of February, 2004 by the
14 following vote :
15
(ALL FIVE SUPERVISORS)
16
ROLL CALL
17
Ayes: Buster, Tavaglione, Venable, Wilson and Ashley
18
Noes: None
19
Absent: None
20
21
22
23
24 ... ..
'Totgetn14.5,certiged to be a ue copy of a
Ation dukit °tea nv saki rd of Super-
2 5 .rrs on tnL da mem aet fort
NA AO Clerk said Board
2 6 By tY
27
28
FEB 7 0 2004 3.2.'g