Item B: Ordinance Concerning Goal 5 Natural Resources Study

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-----Original Message----- From: Cheryl Hunter [mailto:eueue2@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 10:42 PM To: BJORKLUND Neil H Subject: Public testimony for Goal 5 study Please accept this as public testimony for the Goal S Natural Resources Study that was given a public hearing on Monday, 9/24. Thank you! TO: Mayor Piercy and City Council FR: Cheryl Hunter, S320 Nectar Way RE: Goal S Natural Resources Study and Inventory Recommendation In the context of the proposed ordinance updating the GoalS Inventory, I am particularly concerned about the East Fork Amazon Headwaters Forest. First, I would like to thank you for the steps that you've taken towards preserving this land. I believe that you have recognized the need to preserve this land and have responded by supporting the resolution to negotiate a purchase from the current owner/developer and to include upland wildlife habitat in the Goal S Inventory process. I believe that I can speak for my neighbors in saying that we would like to see specific action as a result of these resolutions, which unfortunately we have not yet seen. In regards to the current ordinance being considered about the Goal S Inventory, I urge you to modify these recommendations to include upland wildlife habitat before this ordinance is adopted. We need to move ahead with this inventory of upland wildlife resources for a number of reasons: ~ We need to preserve the full opportunity needed to conduct a proper inventory. ~ An inventory is required due to the confirmed presence of rare and sensitive speCIes. ~ A red-legged frog was recently discovered in the East Amazon Headwaters Forest, indicating that this is truly a high quality riparian and interconnected upland habitat. ~ New discoveries, such as this one, reaffirms the need for a cautious approach to identifying and preserving upland habitat beyond the stream corridors currently included in the GoalS inventory. I also urge you to adopt a temporary moratorium on all development within higher- ranked upland habitat. ~ This is much preferred to the continued piecemeal development of these areas that will take place while the inventory of Goal S upland habitat is being completed under the current schedule. ~ Piecemeal development in these areas is contrary to both the letter and the spirit of Goal S and irretrievably commits resources when a more cautious approach is needed.