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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/1/2015 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.J. P ALM$,* 4,y a u w ! R Rcgc F'OSN�P• CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: July 1, 2015 CONSENT CALENDAR SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ACT OF 2015 FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Office of the City Manager SUMMARY In February 2015, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the California Desert Conservation & Recreation Act of 2015, Senate Bill 414 (S414), which builds on the Senator's California Desert Protection Act, which became law in 1994. S414 would protect additional public lands and is intended to carefully balance conservation, recreation and renewable energy development. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING WILDERNESS, WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS, NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE ADDITIONS IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ACT OF 2015." STAFF ANALYSIS: At the June 17, 2015, City Council meeting, staff provided information regarding the California Desert Conservation & Recreation Act of 2015; a copy of the associated staff report is included as Attachment 1. At that time, the City Council directed staff to schedule formal City Council action to support the federal legislation at the July 1, 2015, meeting. A resolution of support has been prepared and may be adopted by the City Council to facilitate this action. ITEM NO. aJ City Council Staff Report July 1, 2015-- Page 2 California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015 (5414) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines exempts activities that are covered under the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential to cause significant effects on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect upon the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct local fiscal impact associated with the requested action. SUBMITTED: Prepared by: Approved by: -7 Marcus L. Fuller, David H. Ready,Z eger Assistant City Manager/City Engineer Attachment: 1 . June 17, 2015, staff report 2. Resolution 02 ATTACHMENT 03 � t�AlM apP �Z a Y N CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: June 17, 2015 CONSENT CALENDAR SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ACT 2015 (U.S. SENATE BILL 414) FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Office of the City Manager SUMMARY In February 2015, Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the California Desert Conservation & Recreation Act, Senate Bill 414 (S414), which builds on the Senator's California Desert Protection Act, which became law in 1994. S414 would protect additional public lands and is intended to carefully balance conservation, recreation and renewable energy development. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. STAFF ANALYSIS: Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act 2015, Senate Bill 414 (S414) that would expand protection to public lands throughout southern California. A Fact Sheet of S414 is included as Attachment 1, and proposes to: • Create two new national monuments: (1) The Mojave Trails National Monument, which would encompass 942,000 acres of land, and (2) The Sand to Snow National Monument, which would encompass 135,000 acres of land from desert floor in the Coachella Valley to the top of Mount San Gorgonio, (a map identifying the proposed Monument is included as Attachment 2); • Designate 5 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wilderness areas covering approximately 204,650 acres; • Designate 73 miles of waterways as Wild and Scenic Rivers, including a portion of the Whitewater River northwest of Palm Springs (reference information and map is included as Attachment 3); • Add 32,520 acres of wilderness and 6,369 acres non-wilderness to Death Valley 04 City Council Staff Report June 17, 2015--Page 2 California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act 2015(S414) National Park (DVNP), and designates 59,076 acres of wilderness within DVNP; • Add 4,518 acres to Joshua Tree National Park and 21,000 acres to the Mojave National Preserve; and • Add 95,110 acres to existing BLM wilderness and 7,141 acres to USFS wilderness; • Designate five existing BLM Off-Highway Vehicle areas (covering approximately 135,000 acres of California desert) as permanent Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation areas. The full text of S414 is available at: https://www.govtrack.usloongress/bills/114/s4l4/text A map showing an overall view of the various areas of southern California affected by S414 is included as Attachment 4. It does not appear that S414 would affect any public lands located within the Incorporated limits of Palm Springs. On April 21, 2015, the Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to endorse and support S414, and has requested staff to present S414 to City Council for its consideration to officially support it. While S414 would protect important public lands, some public officials have expressed concem that limiting public lands to development, mining, and other uses may harm the local economy, (refer to article Feinstein bill will boost economy, supporters say, April 29, 2015, included as Attachment 5). Staff submits this information related to S414, with the recommendation from the Sustainability Commission for official support from the City Council. If the City Council prefers to consider an official statement of support, staff recommends that the City Council direct staff to prepare a formal Resolution of Support for S414, which could be presented to the City Council for official action at a subsequent meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA') Guidelines exempts activities that are covered under the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential to cause significant effects on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect upon the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The requested action requests the City Council to receive and file this report on the proposed legislation identified as S414, which itself will not result in any new direct physical impacts to the environment. Therefore, the requested action is considered exempt from CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct local fiscal impact associated with the requested action. 05 City Council Staff Report June 17, 2015—Page 3 California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act 2015($414) SUBMITTED: Prepared by: Approved by: I v—�n lm�o 7� Marcus L. Fuller, David H. Ready, Gi a gar Assistant City Manager/City Engineer Attachment: 1. Fact Sheet of S414 2. Sand to Snow National Monument Map 3. Wild and Scenic Rivers Designation Information for Whitewater River 4. S414 Overview Map 5. Feinstein bill will boost economy, supporters say, April 29, 2015 - 06 ATTACHMENT 1 i 07 G.4tvipAlGni Fors rrf-& 6AuForw1A C>cr-sE� Protecting Our Legacy, Strengthening Our Future CaliforniaDesert • • and Recreation Act of Summary Specifically, the Act (5.414) will: The conservation and Establish the 941,413-acre Mojave Trails National Monument in eastern San Bernardino County along the recreationportion of longest undeveloped stretch of historic Route 66; Californiathe Designate the 133,524-acre Sand to Snow National Conservationand Monument that stretches between Joshua Tree National Recreation Act of 2015 Park on the east and the high country of the San - Gorgonio Wilderness in the San Bernardino National improvewill Forest to the west; for approximately Add five areas encompassing 204,6500 acres to the million acres of federal National Wilderness Preservation System, including • • the Avawatz Mountains Wilderness, Great Falls Basin publicthat accessWilderness and Soda Mountains Wilderness; recreational use of the Enlarge existing BLM wilderness by 95,110 acres • - can continue • including Golden ValleyWilderness, Kingston Range Wilderness,and Grass Valley Wilderness; and add generations 7,141 acres to t he San Gorgonio Wilderness (USFS); Establish the 81,800-acre Vinagre W ash Special Management Area in Imperial County where many ecologically and culturally sensitive areas would be protected from development and vehicle use; Enlarge Death Valley National Park by 97,965 acres, Mojave National Preserve by 21 ,000 acres and Joshua Tree National Park by 4,518 acres; Continued i 08 CaliforniaDesert Conservationand Recreationof 1 Add over 70 miles(22,400 acres) of stream to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System along the Amargosa River,Deep Creek, Surprise Canyon and the W hitewater River; Designate the Alabama Hills National In addition to these protective measures, the Scenic Area It 8,840 acres) Act will also: Designate the Black Lava Butte and Flat Top Mesa as an Area of Critical Withdraw protection from 33,571 acres EnvironmentalConcern(6,350acres) the Soda Mountains Wilderness Study Arr ea; Establish the Joshua Tree Visitor Withdraw protection from the 84,400-acre Center Cady Mountains Wilderness Study Area (5,500 acres of the area will be included in Provide for revenue sharing with the Mojave Trails National Monument); state and counties from renewable energy rents and royalties Facilitate the transfer of isolated parcels of state-owned land that are surrounded Permanently prohibit the staking of new by desert wilderness areas and parks in mining claims on approximately 10,000 exchange for federal assets, potentially acres of land sacred to the Quechan including parcels of federal land, Tribe in Imperial County while preserving established claims, Turn five existing administratively- designated off-highway vehicle(OHV) Mandate the study and protection of recreation areas into legislatively-designated cultural trails and associated features OHV areas; along the Colorado River that is sacred to several tribes; Require the Secretary of the Interior to study the possibility of expanding these OHV Transfer 994-acre Bureau of Land areas; and Management holding in San Diego County to Anza-Borrego Desert State Allow for the expansion of a small airport in Park and require the state to manage the Imperial County. land as wilderness; and Require the Department of the Interior to study the future impacts of climate For more information, contact: change on the California desert, to Monica Argandona, California Wilderness Coalition, mitigate these impacts and to identify margandona@caWild.org, 951-205-6004 and protect important wildlife migration Matt Jatovsky, Thewilderness Society, corridors in the region. matt.jatovsky@tws.org, 760-366-1847 David Lamfrom, National Parks Conservation Association, dlamfrcm@npca.org, 760-219-4916 California wilderness Coalition I The Pew Charitable Trusts Fri ends ofthe Desert Mountains l Fnendsof the Riverl Nation al Parks Conservation Association / `1 9 The wilderness Society I The wildlands Conservancy ATTACHMENT 2 10 Proposed Sand to Snow National Monument January 21, 2015 This map prepared at the request of Senator Dianne Feinstein 'ZL Proposed`Sand tt ow National Monument i M ' } .lI.OpOtl�/y�wNN n tiNn tlYw ATTACHMENT 3 I ' 2 G,4njpA/GN For< 7"H-c- 6,4uForwlA C�CsErzT Protecting Our Legacy, Strengthening Our Future 1 s 1 • s ' • 4 � p� �•, •; �}'- 'Y (fie 'f. r The Whitewater River flows freely from the Mi. San Gorgonio Did You Know? Summit(11,499 feet) for more than 30 miles to the Coachella Valley.An area of high ecological significance,the Whitewater • the CIXRA proposes to River is one of the most pristine and remote watersheds in protect more than 28 miles of southern California. the Whitewater dicer,and its North, middle and South The river provides a critical biological link between the San Forks. Bernardino Mountains and Coachella Valley,and important habitat for such diverse species as the California spotted owl, The ultimate sources of the Nelson's bighorn sheep,and arroyo toad. The river's rich Whitewater ultimate s urincces 'vft. riparian vegetation is a seasonal home to endangered neo- San Gorgonio and a lude N1 ft tropical songbirds, including least Bells vireo and southwest willow flycatcher. ridge in the San Bernardino Mountains. Much of the upper watershed is virtually trail-less,but the lower river may be easily accessed from Interstate 10 by • The Whitewater%"Id and visiting The Wildlands Conservancy's Whitewater River scenic rher will be managed Preserve,where a trailhead along the Pacific Crest Trail by the ITS Forest sen ice, BIM parallels and then crosses the river. and the Wlldlands Consenanci. The Whitewater River is an important ceremonial and cultural area for traditional Cahuilla Indians,who visit the river to collect and gather native materials. For More Information: Steve Evans,Friends of the River.sevansa friendsoftheriver.org.916.708.316b Monica Argandofi,-.4 California Wilderness Coalition,margandonagcalwild.org,951.20S.6004 Matt jatovsky.The Wilderness Society,maujalovskyCaltwsorg, 760.690.6649 ; 3 cA..d rh 4 �,.1A WgrJi -F �. Whitewater River ®' ��H Proposed • Segments��11 n\O. S. 414 (FBII1StG'It1) SAN BERNARDINO �' NATIONAL FOREST t L n _ Onureeltiaaw�wn; San Gorgino �, . . waa .# IAir;ian Wilderness-Area nsl C r,r,k - 1 MiSsion r•r.\s.�o � Creel ..' us.o•,.,wwn i{ ar dwro Abrvgav�� Sww WOW { SAY BERNARDiNO COIIN.i mww Riv ERSID[ - &,�•ov �iudmn ` s( .em.m,.rn.• __r '{ Son Gorgino 1 � Wilderness Area _�. �.r�s.... � � T W "' Whifewater a•a Preserve C.r ul 4r i I � j1'il B011n4P. BPII ATTACHMENT 4 15 2015 California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act Overview March 16, 2015 This map prepared at the request of Senator Dianne Feinstein 6sFop P opoNrt FWpN W11MrMu O .� Qe�4B�r 4vy�[4u �a4 • 4caur wr.r, -NB .� �� L�YY°wMu,Worw xn[4� OMY Vtlna Ml[v, • Qn�.wm�.u..wn LenE 8leus E=,vs+.e.,..o[s+a pk • 04..[u MFYIm .w�,,.wa • I .[uae • r+gvrcY ,.[c[.[. • wrm. V41wvl • J q h 4 1naerrrr�r 1, era I Pm w Wirr Bml �� • • p ly d . fie Edwards A4 force Barsl g- r Bata ;...v. � I �. rnr N Iweo,eBO Ua+me CaFe Base r.w 41 geW �j r��/pr wsn • •• oboe as °� iverside • Moreno Pam. . �• Valfey .•.-,�, .a ..•v ( • I Palm Springs • �__.- . �f • r O fir' • ;I. m..a. eae.wi ra..,. a�.ew 1•• r tSan • El Centro Diego ,;`"V,.a - i _ 6 ATTACHMENT i7 6=15 Feinstein bill will boost ecor omy,supporters say I Campaign for the California Desert Go4MPMGN mA T" e.*wPoFwiA L*sa rr Pridecting Our 1 vgact'. Strengthening Our I'utury Wild Places& Rivers The Proposal • Supporters • Get Involved • Resources Feinstein bill will boost economy, supporters say Apr 29,2015 Supporters of desert protections legislation Introduced by Sen.Dianne Feinstein,D-Calif.,said this week that the bill will bolster San Bernardino County's economy and represents little shift from Feinstein's historic 1994 California Desert Protection Ad, Monica Argandona,the Southern Califomia conservation director for the California All Coalition,an organization focused on the state's wildlands,said she had been working on the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015 with Feinstein for eight years. 'There's always going to be opposition,there's always goingto be people ideologically opposed to IV Argandona wid,'but this will be a great economic benefit to San Bernardino County." She said the bill essentially preserves lands that eachyear attract millions of visitors and generate large sumsof revenueto the county and local titles. In 2005,The Wilderness Society analyzed the financial impact to four counties,including San Bernardino,which were part of Feinstein's 1994 bill.The group found that wildlands in the desert generated$1.3 billion per year and neatly 3,700jobs between the counties,and$557 million in this county alone. According to Campaign for the California Desert—a coalition of conservationists and community and business leaders—visitors to Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks and the Mojave National preserve contributed$165 million to the region's economy in 2013,also supporting nearly 2,000 jobs. Introduced in February,Feinstein's bill would create the Mojave Trails National Monument,designating protections to roughly 941,oD0 acres between Needles and Barstow.R Is also expected to Increase protections for approximately 1.6 million acres of desert landscape,and also create a second new national monument while expanding Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks and the Mojave National Preserve. But Feinstein's legislation also has prompted questions from regional leaders,most recently county 1st District Supervisor Robert Lovingood,who said while portions of the bill had merit,the bill was destined to harm the local economy. He said last week some lands would become off limits to development mining,off-roading,grazing and military training,and thebill would hinder the multiple se approach to public lands. Argandona,however,called the bill"a balanced approach"that reflected the diversity of wildlands stakeholders,including off-road enthusiasts,conservationists and the military.She said it would not impact major mining corporations. Last week,a miners organization announced it was considering an economic boycott of Apple Valley after the Town Council showed support for the bill. Rep.Paul Cook,R-Apple Valley,sent a federal land survey to constituents in March for feedback weighing two sides in his letter The bill's ability to protect the desert and its potentialto curtail economic activities. While Argandona said she expected Coekto be a'champion'for the cause,Lowngood said he looked forward to working with the Bth District Congressman on -alternatives that won't hamstring our economy and will promotethe multiple-use approach to our desert.' Randy Banis,editor of DeathValley.com and member of the Bureau of Land Management Desert Advisory Council,said the bill,ultimately,'is not really a whole lot of change.' 'I would say this bill is a status quo bill in that it preserves the recreational opportunities that curtently exist in these lands and the economic benefits there of,' Banis said.'It preserves the current mining claims and protects their economic value and it protects viewsheds and undeveloped lands for public uses for generations to come.' Meanwhile,Latino faith leaders and youth in the Victor Valley plan to hike Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on Saturday.The hike Is meant to allow participants to 'explore the need to protect the Califomia desert and how the Latino community can help lead the charge for its conservation,"the group Par Its Creaclon:Faith. based Alliance said in a statement. Feinsteln's bill Is expected to be discussed during thanks. " 8 hkpJ/c IiforriodemLorgrteinsteir bilFwill-bowl-ecaromy-supporters-say/ 5i212015 Felrtsteln bill will say I Campaign for the Califorria Desert Source'.Daily Press,April 29,2015 by Shea Johnson,Shea Johnson may be reached W 760-955-5368 or SJohnson@ WDaflyPress,com.Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Shea, Profile Join Us Contact Social Media • About Us Please Jain Us and our coalition of Contact Us to learn more about local landowners,buahtaseas, the campaign to protect the © Follow • Privacy Policy tribes,community groups, California Desert. • Contact Us recreationista,and residents who went to pre o public lands and • Home waterways In the California Dosed 0 Follow for generations to cane. Theme by Elegant Themes I Styled by Netgirl Enterprises Web Design tMWcalifrrniadeserLag%elrlsteirt-bili-will-boat-ecatany-supporters-sWI i J ATTACHMENT 2 20 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING WILDERNESS, WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS, NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE ADDITIONS IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ACT OF 2015. WHEREAS, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer have introduced the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act 2015 (S414) 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, the proposed designations will contribute to our region's superior desert and mountain vistas, air quality, water quality, peaceful soundscapes, and dark night skies; providing 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; ensuring these attributes for future generations; and WHEREAS, national park and wilderness designations are an important component of the City of Palm Springs historic, cultural, economic, and social identity, and generate substantial economic benefit for surrounding area businesses through local employment; tax revenues; visitor spending; 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 National Monument; Whitewater Wild and Scenic River; and additions to Joshua Tree National Park. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE that the City Council of Palm Springs endorses and supports the designation of wilderness, the designation of wild and scenic rivers, the National Park and Preserve wilderness additions within the California Desert Conservation Area, and the Sand to Snow National Monument and the Mojave Trails National Monument, all as proposed within the California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act 2015 (5414). 21 ADOPTED THIS 1st day of July, 2015. David H. Ready, City Manager ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on July 1, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: James Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California 22