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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 1972-01-27 ... . . e e . ( ( MINUTES CITY OF SEAL BEACH Et-4VIROmIENTAL QUALITY CONTROL BOARD JANUARY 27. 1972 REGULAR MEETING 7:30 P.M. ChaJ.rman Lindstrom calls the meetJ.ng to order and leads in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Also Present: Chairman Lindstrom. Board Members Abramson. Cunningham. and KJ.llough SJ.nger (Excused) Bill Little. Secretary APPROVAL OF ~INUTES t~otJ.on by Abramson. second by CunnIngham to approve the minutes of January 13. 1972. AYI:S. NOES: ^BST: Abramson, Cunningham, Lindstrom None Killough Motion carries. BOARD ITEHS ChaJ.r introduces Item V A, further cons1deration of Recycling Center s1te in northern port10n of C1ty. Discuss10n follows. Staff 1S requested to investigate ava1lable sites 1n shopping center at Seal Beach ~,d Westminster Blvds. Cha1r introduces next item. Statement 1n Support of 11.R. 10310 creat1ng a Seal Beach Natlonal Wlldlife Refuge. Discussion follows. .~tlon by Cunnlngham, second by Killough to adopt statement. It is unanlmously adopted. Staff IS requested to forward statement to local legislators. and other environmental groups. Cha1r Introduces Item V C, d1scussion of cowplalnts of noxious odor emissions in the v1cln1ty of Maln Street and Central Avenue. DIScussion follows. Board recesses to vicinity to investigate problem. Board reconvenes. and discusslon follows. Staff IS requested to enforce Munic1pal Code provisions WhlCh prohibit dra1nlng 011 on s1del'lalks. SECPCTARyrs REPORTS Secretary offers report concernlng the fo11 O\1J.nr. : 1.) Status of N01se Survey 2.) Gum Grove Park Open1ng 3.) Oabrood Parklng QuestIon 4.) PubllC Hearings on H.R. 10310 "'PITTEN COH~-:UNICATIONS Written corn~un1cat1ons ~ere rece1ved and flIed. ORAL COr~IDNICATIONS Ther~re no oral co~unlcat10ns. ADJOURNt-tENT The Feeting was adjourned at 9 00 p.~. THESE ARE TENTATIVE ~tINUTI:S ONLY. .--:;.. . . . ( ~ .' , STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 10310, TO CREATE THE SEAL BEACH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, BY THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH ENVIRONMEl~TAL QUALITY CONTROL BOARD. MR. CHAIRMAN and Members of the House Subcommittee on Wild11.fe and Conservation, the ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL BOARD (EQCB) of the CITY OF SEAL BEACH, is vehemently supporting H.R. 10310 to create a llational Wildlife Refuge at Seal. Beach within the boundaries of the Naval Weapons statJ.on. The location in question J.S the wetlands area of Anaheim Bay which is comprised of approximately 600 acres of saltmarsh, mudflats, and tJ.dal channels under the JurisdJ.ction of the United States Navy. This fragile environment serves a multitude of valuable purposes. Same o~ these are listed as follows: (1) It is used as an essential resting place, feeding area, wintering ground. and breeding location by thousands of migratory and resident birds. Among these birds are two endangered species, the lightfooted clapper rail and the least tern. The marsh and tideflats serve as a storehouse of food for thnu~andq of mi~ratorv birds in the Pacific Flyway as well as a year-round habitat for resident bJ.rds. (2) The marsh, bav, and tidal mudflat areas serve as an essential nursery ftt"ound for a number of' species of fish which are important in commercial and sport fisheries, as well as being a necessary link in the overall food web. (3) The wetlands and mudflat areas support plant and animal. pO"PUl.atJ.ons essent1.al as food for all varieties of fJ.sh, shorebirds, marshbJ.rds, and man. (4) The plant cOlDI'lunities and algae of the mudflats and bay have a tremendous productivity, and provide a large amount of organic material that acts as an essential element in the overall energy flow '- ( t: ~ " of the wetland ecosystem. This valuable resource is dependent upon tidal flow . and nutrient recycling, therefore any disturbances that interrupt or interfere with tidal flow will have an e:ffect on the amount of energy fixation that occurs in the marshland. (5) The marshland and bay area provides a nwnber of recreational opportunitJ.es. However, these activities must be carefully controlled in order to keep them compatible with the conservation, protection and propagation of fish and I wildlJ.fe. (6) The educational value of the saltmarsh is incalculable. The total ecosystem is so unique and intricately detailed, that the study of thJ.s environment and its inhabitants offers unlimited opportunity for inquiry and discovery. (7) Another important function this area serves is as a buffer zone and security area for the Naval Weapons Station. This places the marsh in the position of being a valuable area in the maintenance of our national de:fense facilities. (8) Perhaps its most important function is as a natural resource. This productive, ever:r- changing, viable ecosystem should be preserved for the enjoyment of future . generatJ.ons. Man r s mismanagement and overdevelopment of areas of the coastal zone J.s well documented. It is time to put a halt to the destruction of sane of our most valuable resources and start to look at the ecological importance of certain environments and how they can lead to long-range economic, aesthetic, educational., and beneficial uses through protection and preservation. There is presently an impending project that threatens the viabilJ. ty of the l'I.arshland and its inhabitants. This is the Coast Free-.ray project. It a Natlonal WildlJ.fe Refuge is created, alternate routing 'Will hopefully be negotiated or alternate modes of transportatJ.on developed so the marshland can be preserved and protected. In summary, the Environmental Quality Control Board ot the City of Seal Beach s~rongly supports H.R. 10310 and urges that this legJ.slation be given a high . priority tor recommendation and ultimate passage into law. Kris Llndstrom, Chairman Envlronmental Quality Control Board