HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.4 Ltr League-Habitat CITY CLERK
# 530-90
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: November 8, 2000
SUBJECT:
Letter to the League of California Cities on statewide issues related to
recent U.S. Fish & Wildlife Critical Habitat determinations for
Federally listed threatened and endangered species on California Cities
(RepOrt Prepared by: Dennis Carrington, Senior Planner/Zoning
Administrator)
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter to the League of California Cities
RECOMMENDATION: 1.
Authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter to the League of
California Cities
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
The U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service (USW&WS) has recently designated Critical Habitat determination
for a number of species in California which have encompassed large areas of the state. These large areas
have been designated for listed species without specific determinations based on proper studies, good
science and the best scientific & commercial data available. The result is that many cities, including
Dublin, will have areas designated as Critical Habitat that may not be occupied by the species and where
the physical and biological conditions necessary to preserve the species may not exist.
The letter to the League of California asks that the League investigate the impact Of these recent CritiCal
Habitat designations on California Cities. The objective of the letter is to seek statewide evaluation of the
methods for determining reasonable rules for determining preservation of endangered species based on
proper studies and assessing the economic impact on California Cities.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council review the attached letter to the League of
California Cities Attachment 1 and authorize the Mayor to sign and submit the letter to the League of
California Cities.
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COPIES TO: USF&WS File
ITEM NO. _~4
CITY OF DUBLIN
P.O. Box 2840, Dublin, Galifornia 94568
City Offices, 100 Civic Plaza, DubLin, California 94568
November 8, 2000
Chris McKenzie
Executive Director
League of California Cities
1400 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: Statewide Issue to California Communities of recent U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Endangered Species Critical Habitat Designations
Dear Mr. McKenzie:
The City of Dublin requests that the League of California Cities investigate the impact
on California Communities of recent U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Critical Habitat
Designations for various Endangered Species. Recent lawsuits have led the Service to
designate vast areas as Critical Habitat for listed species without first determining the
physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the affected species.
Many communities in the State, including Dublin, are affected by the actions of this
Agency. Development projects in these extended Critical Habitat areas will have strict
and potentially arbitrary design constraints placed upon them by the Service as a result;
with potential significant economic consequences to those communities.
It is a matter of statewide importance to resolve this present problem. Recognizing that
the preservation of endangered species based on proper studies is a mandated Federal
objective, it is also a statewide concern that reasonable development continue to occur
within our communities. Recent actions on Critical Habitat determinations by the
Service in Northern California and the Central Coast related to the Alameda Whipsnake,
Red Legged Frog and other species have created concern by many communities. The
League of California Cities can provide an important service to member communities by
investigating the impact of these Federal mandates statewide.
Administration (925)833-6650 · City Council (925)833-6605 · Finance (925)833-6640 · Buildinn In~nc,~'f;~-/n .......... Code Enforcement (925) 833-6620 · Engineering (925) 833-6630 · Parks & Commt
Economic Development (925) 833-6650 · Police (925) 833-6670 · Public V
Community Development (925) 833-6610 · Fire Prevention Bureau (,t ATTACHMENT 1
Letter to Chris McKenzie
Executive Director
Page 2
11/8/00
Our representative on the East Bay Division will be discussing this issue with member
cities. Dublin would urge a statewide assessment of these impacts.
Any assistance you can provide to surface this issue to the Board of Directors would be
appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at (925) 833-6650.
Sincerely,
Guy S. Houston
Mayor
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