HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 04-019RESOLUTION 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. 04-19
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 supportforthe 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 11th day of March, 2004, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: BENSON, CRITES, KELLY, and SPIEGEL
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: FERGUSON
ABSTAIN: NONE
ATTEST:
RAGHELLE [`. KLASSEN,'CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
ROBERT A. SPIEGL, M 0
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