HomeMy WebLinkAbout74-63 - Urging "No" Vote on Proposition 17, New Melones Reservoir93 a)
RESOLUTION NO. 74-63
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, URGING CITIZENS TO VOTE
NO ON PROPOSITION SEVENTEEN CONCERNING THE NEW
MELONES RESERVOIR PROJECT ON THE STANISLAUS
RIVER.
WHEREAS, Proposition No. 17 on the November 5, 1974, ballot will
stop construction of the New Melones Reservoir Project on the Stanislaus
River, upon which $80,000,000.00 will have been spent by November; and
WHEREAS, the issue in Proposition 17 is whether a small number of
commercial rafting companies who profit by their activities, together
with a relatively small number of rafting enthusiasts, can block a
project that has the approval of all State and Federal agencies involved,
and all environmental groups in the area, as it would enhance the envir-
onment in many significant ways; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 17 was qualified as an initiative by
petitioners claiming the Stanislaus to be a "wild river," and in fact
the flow of the nine -mile section of river which the proponents seek to
place in the wild river system is provided by two upstream dams, other-
wise there would be water for rafting for only a short time each year;
and
WHEREAS, New Melones will prevent flooding on the lower Stanislaus
River that has historically resulted in damage of $1,900,000.00 annually,
and it will save 93,000,000,000 gallons of water annually for municipal,
industrial, and irrigation use with annual benefits of $3,600,000.00;
and
WHEREAS, it will produce 430,000,000 kilowatt hours of clean
electric power annually, providing enough power to meet the domestic
needs for a community of 200,000, and not requiring the use of fossil
fuel, thus saving annually about 700,000 barrels of crude oil, a major
consideration in this time of energy shortage; and
WHEREAS, it will provide recreational facilities estimated to be
4,000,000 recreational days per year as contrasted with 80,000 recrea-
tional days annually for the river's present use; it will provide
development of 55 miles of the lower Stanislaus River for parks,
campgrounds, fishing access, and protection for 3,500 acres of wildlife
habitat; it will provide improved spawning grounds for salmon and
steelhead, and improved stream fishing for salmon, trout, steelhead,
shad, striped bass, and sturgeon; and it will provide improved access to
the river for the public to enjoy numerous environmental and recrea-
tional facilities; and
WHEREAS, the proponents of Proposition 17 would sacrifice all of
this, including the major environmental benefits, for a small amount of
man-made white water for expensive rafting purposes; and all environ-
mental and ecology groups in this area, including the Sierra Club, who
understand the project and its benefits are solidly in support of the
project and against Proposition 17;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Costa Mesa that it urges a NO vote on Proposition 17 by all citizens of
the State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council urges all persons having
questions or needing information regarding the environmental impact of
this project to contact the State Department of Fish and Game, the State
Resources Agency, the United States Bureau of Sports, Fisheries and
Wildlife, and the United States Corps of Army Engineers.
i
i
s1
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of September, 1974.
Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa
ATTEST:
City Clerk of the City of C a Mesa
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, EILEEN P. PHINNEY, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City
Council of the City of Costa Mesa hereby certify that the above and
foregoing Resolution No. 74-63 was duly and regularly passed and adopted
by the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 3rd
day of September, 1974.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal
of the City of Costa Mesa this 4th day of September, 1974.
City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk orthe
City Council of the City of Cost esa