HomeMy WebLinkAbout26- Publci Works CI'T'Y OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From: Michael E. Hays, Acting Subject: Resolution adopting a position of support for
Director proposed legislation to eradicate invasive plants from
the Santa Ana River Watershed.
Dept: Public Works/Engineering ORIGINAL
MCC Date: May 18, 1998
Date: April 29, 1998
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
None APR 3'O1
Recommended Motion:
Adopt Resolution
'chael E. Ha s
Contact person: Michael E. Hays Phone: 384-5357
Supporting data attached: Staff Report Ward(s): 1 & 3
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: N/A
Source: N/A
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
Agenda Item No. _
'5110ag
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT:
Resolution of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino adopting a position
of support for proposed legislation to eradicate invasive plants from the Santa Ana River
Watershed.
BACKGROUND:
Ken Miller, County of San Bernardino Flood Control Engineer, has requested the City of San
Bernardino, and all cities affected by the invasive plants, to prepare a resolution in support of
legislation being introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert to establish funding for the eradication
of invasive plants, including Arundo donax, Tamarisk, Alligator Weed, etc. from the Santa Ana
River and tributaries.
Information received from Ken Miller states that these non-native plants are overtaking valuable
plant habitat at an astounding rate. Arundo donax alone has invaded approximately 8,000 acres
within the Santa Ana River watershed and causes a number of serious problems, some of which
include:
1. Water valued at $2.5 million (8,200 acre-feet per year) is consumed by Arundo,
through evapotranspiration, beyond that which would be taken up by native
vegetation. This water is much more valuable for domestic, industrial, and
agricultural purposes.
2. Restored habitat for endangered species, that include the least Bell's vireo and the
southwestern willow flycatcher, is being destroyed by infestation of non-native
plants. Hundreds-of-thousands of dollars spent on habitat restoration has been
wasted due to the intrusion of the invasive plants. Wildlife prefer and flourish
in native vegetation.
3. Arundo is highly flammable; dense stands, therefore, present fire threats.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact to the City. Congressman Calvert is proposing legislation to
establish Federal funding in the amount of $15 million for the removal of Arundo and other
invasive plants from the Santa Ana River and its tributaries over a 10-15 year period. The funds
will be placed in an endowment and used by various agencies. A program of aggressive,
systematic removal of the plants will be a cost-effective method of eradication, will provide
long-term protection against re-infestation, and will result in a dramatic restoration of the
watershed.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Common Council adopt the Resolution.
r--
1 RESOLUTION NO.
2 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
3 SAN BERNARDINO ADOPTING A POSITION OF SUPPORT FOR PROPOSED
LEGISLATION TO ERADICATE INVASIVE PLANTS FROM THE SANTA ANA RIVER
4 WATERSHED.
5 WHEREAS, invasive non-native plants, such as Arundo donar and Tamarisk are invading
6 the Santa Ana River watershed (approximately 8,000 acres) at the expense of valuable, native
habitat; and
7
WHEREAS, water valued at approximately $2.5 million is consumed annually by Arundo
8 at a rate of about 8,200 acre-feet per year, through evapotranspiration, beyond that which would
9 be taken up by native vegetation; and
10 WHEREAS, habitat for native wildlife, including endangered species, is being destroyed
by infestation of non-native plants; and
11
WHEREAS, invasive plants increase the threat of flooding and flood damage by blocking
12 culverts and bridge piers, and reducing the capacity of channels to convey flows; and
13 WHEREAS, Arundo is highly flammable and presents an increased fire threat; and
14
WHEREAS, invasive plants change water temperature and evaporation rates by
15 eliminating the overhang and shading that native vegetation provides, thus causing undesirable
16 changes to the ecosystem; and
17 WHEREAS, eradication efforts by the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service, the Nature
Conservancy, the Resource Conservation Districts, and others have not been sufficient due to
18 the scope of the problem and lack of financial resources; and
19 WHEREAS, an invasive plant control program must be accomplished in the short term
20 it is to be cost-effective, and will require a coordinated, area-wide , aggressive, and systematic
effort which will necessitate adequate financial support; and
21
WHEREAS, Congressman Ken Calvert is proposing legislation to establish Federal
22 funding, in the amount of$15 million, for the removal of Arundo and other invasive plants from
23 the Santa Ana River watershed.
24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS:
25
26 That the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino is in support of the
proposed legislation by Congressman Ken Calvert to remove invasive plants from the Santa Ana
27 River watershed.
28 ///
1 RESOLUTION...TO ADOPT POSITION OF SUPPORT...TO ERADICATE
2 INVASIVE PLANTS FROM THE SANTA ANA RIVER WATERSHED.
3 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and
4 Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a meeting thereof, held on the._day
5 of , 1998, by the following vote, to wit:
6
7 Council Members: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
8 ESTRADA
9 LIEN
10
ARIAS
11
12 SCHNETZ
13 DEVLIN
14 ANDERSON
15 MILLER
16
17 City Clerk
18
19 The foregoing ordinance is hereby approved this day
of , 1998.
20
21
Judith Valles, Mayor
22 City of San Bernardino
23 Approved as to
form and legal content:
24
JAMES F. PENMAN,
25 City Attorney
26 B �
y:
27
28