HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 2015-50RESOLUTION NO. 2015- 50
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
ACT OF 2015 (S. 414)
WHEREAS, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have introduced the
California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015 (S. 414) to ensure that certain
unique, undeveloped, ecologically and geologically significant, culturally important, and scenic
areas of public land within the California Desert Conservation Area are preserved as wilderness,
wild and scenic rivers, national monuments, and National Park and Preserve additions; and
WHEREAS, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Mojave National
Preserve and Bureau of Land Management administered wilderness and natural areas in the
California desert are an important component of our community's and region's historic, cultural,
economic, and social identity, and generate substantial economic benefit for surrounding area
businesses through local employment, tax revenues, and visitor spending on meals, lodging,
and supplies; and
WHEREAS, national monuments, national park and wilderness designation have been
shown to increase tourism and attract new residents, thereby generating substantial economic
benefits for nearby communities through local employment and tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, the proposed designation will contribute to our region's superior desert and
mountain vistas, air quality, water quality, peaceful soundscapes, and dark night skies; and
WHEREAS, protected public lands will provide local residents and visitors with
opportunities for many recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing,
photography, camping, off-roading, wildlife viewing, scientific research, and nature study; and
WHEREAS, protecting wild places and national park lands would ensure that future
generations can enjoy them tomorrow as we do today; and
WHEREAS, preserving these areas would protect landscapes that encompass steep
mountains, winding canyons, free flowing rivers, and rugged desert landscapes, including the
proposed Sand to Snow and Mojave Trails national monuments; the proposed Golden Valley,
Kingston Range, Indian Pass, Palo Verde wilderness additions; the Great Falls Basin, Avawatz
Mountains, Soda Mountains, Buzzards Peak, Milpitas Wash wilderness areas; additions to
Joshua Tree National Park; the Castle Mountains addition to the Mojave National Preserve;
wilderness additions to Death Valley National Park; the Amargosa, Deep Creek, Whitewater,
and Surprise Canyon wild and scenic rivers; the Flat Top Mesa and Black Buttes Area of Critical
Environmental Concern; and the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
ENDORSES THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ACT
OF 2015, INCLUDING THE DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL MONUMENTS,
Resolution No. 2015-50
WILDERNESS AREAS, WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS, NATIONAL PARK AND
PRESERVE, AREAS OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN, AND NATIONAL
SCENIC AREA IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE LEGISLATION.
AND FURTHERMORE the City of Palm Desert will transmit this signed resolution to the office of
Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, and to Congressman Raul Ruiz, who
represent us in Congress.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, on this 1191 day of June, 2015, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
HARNIR, JONATHAN, SPIEGEL, TANNER, & WEBER
NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Susan Marie Weber, Mayor
ATTEST:
RA HELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA