R 0971
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RESOLUTION NO. 971
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE OPPOSING PROPOSED WILDERNESS
CLASSIFICATION OF LOPEZ CANYON
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced to establish Wilderness Classifica-
tion for Lopez Canyon; and
WHEREAS, such classification of this area would defeat its own stated
purpose of protecting the area from misuse by attracting crowds of visitors
who would over-use and destroy the scenic beauty of the area; and
WHEREAS, the classification of Lopez Canyon as a wilderness area would
cause limitation of roadways resulting in interference with fire protection
throughout the area; and
WHEREAS, the Lopez Canyon comprises an important portion of the watershed
of Lopez Lake, which is the main water supply for the City of Arroyo Grande and
other communities in the southwesterly portion of San Luis Obispo County, and in
which nearly twenty million dollars of local, State and Federal monies have been
invested; and
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that denuding of an area by fire causes a
loss of approximately 40,000 cubic feet of soil per section of land, and such
a loss in the case of Lopez Lake could displace more than 30 acre feet of water
storage capacity; and
WHEREAS, a fire denuding the Lopez Canyon would cause deposition of silt
and debris in Lopez Lake causing irreparable damage to the Lake and serious
reduction in the capacity of the Lake, which would not only damage the water
supply for Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover City, Oceano and Avila Beach,
but also reduce flood damage protection afforded to the City of Arroyo Grande
by Lopez Lake; and
WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service has recommended that Lopez
Canyon be classified as a Scenic Area, which would be amenable to more
flexible control by the Forest Service and would give the necessary
protection to the wild-life and scenic beauty of the area without the
handicaps presented by Wilderness Classification; and
WHEREAS, the area in question does not qualify for Wilderness Classi-
fication under requirements of the Wilderness Act of 1964
BE AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Arroyo Grande opposes the establishment of a Wilderness Area in Lopez Canyon,
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this City Council supports and recommends
the establishment of a Scenic Area in Lopez Canyon as proposed by the United
States Forest Service. and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this City Council requests that public
hearings be held in San Luis Obispo County whereby citizens of this area
may present their views concerning these proposals,
On motion of Councilwoman Thompson. seconded by Councilman Talley and
on the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Membe~s Schlegel, Thompson, Wood, Talley and Mayor Levine.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 8th day of February, 1972.
~~Lpv~
~ . / MAYOR
ATTEST: ~~w~
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I, Polly S. Kingsley, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, CoUnty
of San Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution No, 971 is a true, full and correct copy of said resolution
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande at a
regular meeting of said Council held on the 8th day of February, 1972.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed
this 9th day of February, 1972.
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City C k of' e C of' oyo Grande
(SEAL)