Resolutions

Resolutions Acted Upon by the Environmental Caucus
at the 11/17/07 Meeting


Clean Energy Reverse Mortgage Resolution

Whereas global warming is recognized as the most serious environmental challenge facing our planet in the history of our civilization; and,

Whereas the U.S. accounts for over twenty five percent of the planet's CO 2 emissions; and,

Whereas home prices have increased by two hundred percent and more over the past two decades creating trillions of dollars in home equity and conventional reverse mortgages have been in existence for senior citizens for over a decade; now, therefore,

Be it resolved that the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus endorse the creation of a Clean Energy Reverse Mortgage, allowing millions of homeowners, commercial property owners and farmers to easily invest into renewable clean energy while also allowing millions of drivers to pre-order plug-in hybrids simultaneously protecting our environment, creating green collar jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and helping to improve our economy.

Submitted by Craig Williams

Result: Tabled

Enforce & Reinstate Vital Environmental Protections

Whereas the "roadless rule" protecting 58.5 million acres of wild roadless areas in our national forests was signed in the final days of the Clinton Administration, and it has been embroiled in court battles with the most recent decision upholding the law which was based not only on sound science, but on a few hundred public hearings and 1.5 million public comments about this policy which would protect these forests which are the source for most of America's water supply, as well as being vital for wildlife, recreation, and agriculture; and

Whereas President Clinton signed a proclamation in 2000 establishing the Giant Sequoia National Monument, but there has been poor management by the U.S. Forest Service which still insists on a sizable timber program even within the bounds of Giant Sequoia National Monument as well as in the giant sequoia groves themselves, despite being contrary to the letter and spirit of the Presidential proclamation signed regarding this area in the southern Sierras, and President Clinton also signed proclamations in 2000 and 2001 establishing the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, the Carrizo Plain National Monument, and other national monuments around the country; and

Whereas President Clinton signed a proclamation in 2000 establishing the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument just north of the Oregon border where an array of eco-regions converge toward the eastern part of the Klamath / Siskiyou area which is world-renowned for its biological diversity, yet the Bureau of Land Management has called for a management plan which would see more logging and grazing than would be the case if the spirit and letter of the Presidential proclamation establishing this monument was followed and enforced, and the monument should have extended about 9000 acres into California but this did not seem politically feasible at the time in Siskiyou County, while in the waning days of the Clinton Administration, former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt withdrew over a million acres of federal land from mineral entry in the Siskiyou wild rivers area primarily in southwestern Oregon as a prelude to examining much of this area for more official protection after thorough hearings and research, but the Bush Administration succeeded in overturning that temporary halt on new mining claims;

Be it therefore resolved that the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus shall send this resolution to all 2008 Democratic Presidential contenders calling upon them to include in their platforms their strong support for assuring that the "roadless rule" protecting roadless areas in our national forests is enforced, and in ensuring that national monuments established in 2000 and 2001 are managed by the letter and spirit of the Presidential proclamations rather than by pressure on the managing agencies by extractive industries which have resulted in management plans which are very questionable in terms of both legality and ecological integrity; and

Be it further resolved that the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus also calls upon our 2008 Presidential contenders to support the transfer of Giant Sequoia National Monument from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Park Service, calls for hearings and research into extending the Cascade - Siskiyou National Monument to include about 9000 acres in California, and calls for the re-institution of the overturned "withdrawal from mineral entry" for 1,093,953 acres of Forest Service land and 151,970 acres of Bureau of Land Mangement land in the Siskiyou wild rivers area to halt new mining claims while research and hearings proceed regarding further protection for this biologically diverse unprotected landscape.

submitted by Bruce Campbell



Reaffirmation of CDP's Support of the Preservation of Heritage Trees

Whereas, native Heritage Trees, defined as trees older than the State of California, are a precious resource to all, including future generations; and

Whereas, property, harvest and construction rights can be exercised in such a way that home construction and harvest can be done around Heritage Trees; and

Whereas, with the overwhelming need to cut greenhouse gases, old-growth trees have been shown to be one of the best natural tools for carbon sequestration; now, therefore

Be It Resolved, that the California Democratic Party supports the proposition that native Heritage Trees shall no longer be logged, cut, or otherwise extirpated, and natural habitat and ecosystems shall be preserved wherever and whenever possible and that a review board be established to enforce these rules, any disputes being settled by arbitration.

Submitted by Chair Luke Breit & the Campaign for Old Growth
Original author Joey Racano

Result: Passed

Resolution in Support of an EPA Waiver for the Global Warming Act

Whereas, Due to the heroic efforts of former Assemblymember Fran Pavley and the Democratic leadership of the State Senate and Assembly, the Global Warming Act of 2006 was established in state law, creating a statewide greenhouse gas emission limit that will, if implemented, reduce emissions by 25% by 2020, placing California at the forefront of worldwide efforts to slow global warming; and

Whereas, According to the California Air Resources Board, the transportation sector is responsible for 41 percent of California's greenhouse gas emissions and that the standards required by the Act will achieve a reduction of 30 million tons by 2020, and 50 million tons by 2030 (which would reduce current levels by 18% and 27% respectively); and,

Whereas, although the President of the United States and his Environmental Protection Agency have taken extraordinary steps, including the suppression of scientific information from within his own administration, to block states' efforts to take the lead in fighting global warming, the Supreme Court of the United States has repudiated the EPA's position that it lacks the authority to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from cars; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party, in light of CARB has provided voluminous documentation and testimony in support of its waiver request, specifically that its protectiveness determination is not arbitrary and capricious, that California needs its own motor vehicle emission control program to address the compelling and extraordinary circumstances that continue to exist in this state, and that the California standards are consistent with the Clean Air Act, urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency to actually live up to its name and protect our environment by granting California the waiver necessary to implement the Global Warming Act without further delay; and be it further

Resolved, that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate President Don Perata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, CARB Director Mary Nichols and U.S. Environmental Protection Administrator Stephen Johnson.

--submitted by Gail Slocum & Luke Breit

Result: Passed

Resolution 06-4-28-1
Resolution Regarding Plastic Bags

Whereas, plastic bags take up to 1000 years to break down in the environment; they do not bio-degrade, and kill more than 1 million birds, 100,000 whales, seals and turtles and countless fish worldwide every year through entanglement, suffocation and ingestion; turtles in particular are prone to mistaking the bags for jellyfish, ingesting them and dying of intestinal blockage; and,

Whereas, plastic bags are made from polyethylene which starts as crude oil, natural gas, or other petrochemical derivatives, which are non-renewable resources and, unlike paper bags which typically 25-60% recovered paper fiber, contain almost no recycled content.

Whereas, every year Californians use 27.5 billion plastic bags, enough to circle the earth over 348 times; first introduced in 1977, plastic bags now account for four out of every five bags handed out at supermarkets, many of which no longer even offer a choice of "paper or plastic," much less cloth, reusable bags; now, therefore,

Be it resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party urges the state's supermarkets and other large retailers to voluntarily agree to cut their use of plastic bags by 50 percent over the next five years through requiring all checkers to offer alternatives to plastic bags such as paper bags or, preferably, reusable canvas bags, which are sturdier and can carry much more than plastic bags, and that the Environmental Caucus urges the State Legislature's appropriate oversight committees to monitor compliance with this goal and consider imposing fees on the use of plastic bags should the voluntary effort fail; and

Be it further resolved that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the CEOs of the state's major supermarket chains, the State Senate President pro Temp, the Speaker of the Assembly and the chairs of the respective oversight committees.

Submitted by Luke Breit, Chair

Resolution 06-04-28-2
Protect Morrell and Decker Canyons from Net-Loss Energy Scheme

Whereas the Cleveland National Forest of Riverside, Orange, and San Diego Counties contains important watersheds with some of the greatest biological diversity in the country, while the Cleveland National Forest Draft Management Plan of 2004 recommended the extension of the San Mateo Wilderness to include both the Morrell Canyon and Decker Canyon areas of Riverside County; and,

Whereas the Nevada Hydro Company was established by Vista, California, associates of Republican Congress member Darrell Issa, and they applied political pressure in order to get the recommendation for wilderness at Morrell Canyon and Decker Canyon withdrawn in order to accommodate an unusual hydroelectric project in the area by this company; and,
Whereas Nevada Hydro proposes to build a 180-foot-tall dam adjacent to the San Mateo Wilderness at Morrell Canyon (or a 240-foot dam if nearby Decker Canyon is the site chosen), as well as about 30 miles of 170-foot-tall transmission lines, in order to pump polluted Lake Elsinore water up the hill at night when there are cheaper electricity rates, and then release the water downhill during the afternoon to turn turbines and generate electricity which would bring profits to the company due to the difference between daytime peak-load and nighttime electricity rates; now, therefore,

Be it therefore resolved, that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party supports wilderness designation for the Morrell Canyon and Decker Canyon areas of the Cleveland National Forest as was proposed in the draft management plan for this biologically diverse forest, and opposes the Nevada Hydro Company's proposed dam and transmission line project targeting the Morrell Canyon or Decker Canyon area because it is wrong to despoil publicly-owned wildlands for a private project which would result in a net-loss of energy, and because it increase dangers from fire and from flooding; and

Be it further resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party shall send this resolution to U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, to the Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, to the Democratic Party victors in the June 6th, 2006, primary election for Congressional seats in Riverside, Orange, and San Diego Counties, and to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Submitted by Bruce Campbell of the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles Democratic Clubs

Resolution 06-04-28-3
Support for California's Roadless Areas

Whereas roadless areas of national forests in California provide clean drinking water for tens of millions of our state's residents as well as for agricultural, industrial, and other uses, are essential core habitat and biological corridors for wildlife, and usually provide an ongoing flow of water due to the intricate plumbing systems of our ancient forests, which helps to guard against drought and supports habitat for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; and

Whereas the Clinton Administration formalized the protection of 58.5 million acres of national forest roadless areas, with 4.4 million acres being in California, in the waning days of his administration due to having conducted the most thorough hearing and comment process ever, but due to the timing the Bush Administration was able to stall and then reverse protections which would have helped our forested watersheds; and

Whereas because most states in the western United States are governed by those who are greatly influenced by extractive industries, the Bush Administration is allowing the governors of states in the West to have some say as to how to manage the roadless areas of national forests in their states which would have been protected under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (though it still could be overridden at high levels of the Bush Administration), thus it is important to apply pressure on the state level for good protection for these pristine areas; now, therefore

Be it resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party strongly urges state legislators to support efforts to provide protection for the 4.4 million acres of roadless areas in California national forests which would have received protection under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule which was formalized late in the Clinton Administration, and to prohibit any state agency or department from spending funds to implement plans by a federal agency which would not be compatible with the original 2001 roadless rule; and

Be it further resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party shall send this resolution to gubernatorial candidates Phil Angelides and Steve Westly, to State Senate President pro tem Don Perata, to Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, to Senators Kuehl and Chesbro, to all Democratic members of the State Assembly, to Chair Art Torres, Bob Mulholland, and to Special Assistant Tamminen.

Submitted by Bruce Campbell of the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles Democratic Clubs

Resolution 06-04-28-4
A Resolution Supporting A Clean,
Sustainable & Renewable Hydrogen Highway Plan

WHEREAS backed by overwhelming voter support, California has provided internationally-recognized leadership in shifting to renewable and sustainable energy, energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, and conservation while recognizing the security and economic development value of doing so and replacing fossil fuels with sustainable renewable energy; and,

WHEREAS, The current Hydrogen Highway Blueprint Plan outlines a path to 250 hydrogen fueling stations and 20,000 hydrogen-fueled vehicles to be implemented in phases, which will help set the stage for full-scale commercialization of these technologies, and the current plan is inadequate and only requires that 1/3 of the hydrogen be generated from Clean Sustainable and Renewable Sources; and

WHEREAS, the whole purpose of using hydrogen is to replace fossil fuels, clean up our air and environment, and to provide energy security, and the current plan encourages the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power to make hydrogen by allowing that 2/3 of the hydrogen generated for these 20,000+ vehicles and 250 fueling stations, thereby defeating the purpose, and the current plan will put all the work to develop hydrogen into the hands exclusively in the control of the petroleum, fossil fuel, and nuclear power industries; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party strongly urges that the Hydrogen Highway Plan be a clean, renewable and sustainable Hydrogen Highway, and recommends that the State Legislature draft and enact legislation accelerating the use of clean/sustainable and renewable hydrogen by requiring that at least 80% of the hydrogen be produced through clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, wave, geothermal, etc. in order to drastically reduce green house gas emissions and replace fossil fuels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be submitted to the Senate President pro Temp, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Chairs of the appropriate policy and fiscal legislative committees.

Submitted by Paul Staples and Dr. Woodrow Clark II (310-666-3937)

Resolution 06-04-28-5
Resolution in Support of Urban Environmental Accords

Whereas today for the first time in history, the majority of the planet's population lives in
cities; and that this continued urbanization will result in one million people moving to
cities each week, thus creating a new set of environmental challenges and opportunities; and,

Whereas on June 5th 2005 at World Earth Day in San Francisco, sponsored by the United Nations Environmental Program a set of 21 accords known as the Urban Environmental Accords were created and signed by over 50 mayors around the world; and,

Whereas cities have a unique opportunity to provide leadership to develop truly
sustainable urban centers based on culturally and economically appropriate local actions exemplifying strategic policies outlined in the Urban Environmental Accords in 7 areas such as waste reduction, urban design and environmental health; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party supports the Urban Environmental Accords, with the aim of a clean, healthy, and safe environment for all members of our society, and encourages all California mayors to join the growing number of mayors signing the Accords as a sign of their commitment to sustainable urban planning.

Submitted by Barbara Graves, Secretary

Resolutions acted on by the Environmental Caucus
October 1,2005 E-Board

WHEREAS, backed by overwhelming voter support, California has provided internationally-recognized leadership in shifting to renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, and conservation while recognizing the security and economic development value of doing so, and,

WHEREAS clean, renewable energy can now be produced in significant quantities and with attractive economics, facilitating a shift to renewable energy sources in accordance with the state's energy needs and assuring, when combined with energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, and conservation measures, no net loss or shortage in meeting the state's energy requirements as we transition from traditional to alternative energy generation, and,

WHEREAS the combination of rapidly growing market demand, technological innovation, and the long-term global economic importance yet early stage of the renewable energy industry offer California a chance to cultivate a new source of high- paying jobs, small business opportunities, and profitable business activity in this emerging sector just as the state has done with the media and entertainment, information technology, biotechnology, and now nanotechnology industries;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party shall prevail upon the State Legislature to draft and enact legislation accelerating and expanding the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as outlined in the Integrated Energy Policy Report of November 2005 (CEC-100-2005-007-CMF), such that 1) all California investor and publicly owned utilities, other California energy service companies, and any energy providers providing energy to California, are required to consistently participate in the RPS, including with regard to energy produced outside California but used within the state; 2) the state shall support the research, development, and incentives necessary to integrate renewable resources into the power grid, including through voter-approved financing mechanisms; 3) the state shall streamline RPS processes and provide necessary incentives in order to meet the state's current energy policy goal of 20% renewable energy by 2010; 4) the state shall increase the longer term energy policy goal to 40% (from 33%) renewable energy by 2020; 5) the state shall increase the long term goal to 40% (from 30%) of the state's transportation fuels to come from non-petroleum sources by 2030; and 6) the California Energy Commission will set forth a clearly-defined strategy and timeline for ultimately achieving statewide independence from fossil fuels and nuclear power, including through the use of energy efficiency measures, demand response, distributed generation, and conservation incentives.

Authored by Gautam Barua and Frances Cleveland with the assistance of Woody Clark and Art Halenbeck,
passed at the 1-28-06 meeting of the CDP Environmental Caucus and subsequently passed by the CDP Resolutions Committee and the Executive Committee of the California Democratic Party.

Resolutions acted on by the Environmental Caucus
October 1,2005 E-Board

05-10-1-1
Resolution Supporting the extension of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to include the entire coast of San Luis Obispo County

WHEREAS, the available evidence (which includes but is not limited to the 2004 report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, the National Marine Fisheries Service Report to Congress, the report of the Marine Conservation Biology Institute, the Pew Oceans Commission reports titled "Ecological Effects of Fishing in Marine Ecosystems of the US" and "America's Living Oceans--Charting a Course for Sea Change", and the State of California Fish and Game Commission report on the Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas) suggests the existence of serious and escalating threats to ocean resources that, once lost, are likely to be irretrievable, and;

WHEREAS, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1992, is the largest and most geographically diverse National Marine Sanctuary in the United States, extending from the Marin Headlands to Santa Rosa Creek in San Luis Obispo County, facilitating multiple uses of Sanctuary resources compatible with its primary purpose of resource protection, promoting educational and research opportunities, facilitating a proactive approach to ocean protection, preserving the lifestyle and culture associated with sustainable fisheries, including local access to seafood, and managing marine resources in a spirit of good stewardship based on sound science;

WHEREAS, the coast of San Luis Obispo County from Santa Rosa Creek to the Santa Maria River is a discrete ecological unit, vital to the social, cultural and environmental future of the state, and suitable to meet the standards set forth in section 303(a) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, deserving of the same level of protection, educational outreach, research, and stewardship that the greater Monterey Bay area currently enjoys in matters including but not limited to oil and gas exploration and development, ocean dumping, marine mammal issues, cruise ship activities, and other enterprises that use ocean resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of the State of California calls for the extension of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary southward to include the waters of San Luis Obispo County, and hereby requests the MBNMS to take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to extend its boundaries.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Party transmits copies of this resolution to the Secretary of Commerce, to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.

Submitted by Sierra Club - Santa Lucia Chapter

---

05-10-1-2
Resolution Supporting Renewable Energy

WHEREAS The California Public Resources Code (25524) stipulates that no new nuclear power facilities may be constructed in the state of California until and unless the United States through its authorized agency has approved and there exists a demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, and

WHEREAS California's aging operational nuclear power plants continue to produce and store said waste indefinitely in the absence of the development of said technology or means of disposal, and will continue to do so in increasing quantities should the plant operators submit re-licensing requests, which, if granted, will extend their plants' operating lives by twenty years or more, and

WHEREAS Clean, renewable energy can now be produced at rates competitive with those charged for nuclear power, facilitating a shift to renewable energy sources in accordance with the energy goals of the state and assuring, in combination with energy efficiencies and conservation, no net loss or shortage in meeting the state's energy requirements as we transition from traditional to alternative energy generation,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this body shall prevail upon the California State Legislature to draft and enact legislation amending California Public Resources Code 25524 so as to additionally bar the re-licensing of nuclear power plants in the state of California.

Submitted by Sierra Club - Santa Lucia Chapter

---

05-10-1-3
Save The South Central Farmers Community Garden In L.A.

Whereas about 360 families farm plots in a 14-acre community garden on a site in an industrial area of South-Central Los Angeles where a proposal for a municipal waste incinerator was halted in the 1980s, while the land was offered for the growing of food following the civil disturbance of 1992; and

Whereas generations of primarily poor immigrants not only get nourishment and inspiration from this community garden oasis, but grow traditional foods and medicines to teach their offspring about their traditional farming ways, plus conduct monthly farmers markets and offer various other cultural festivities and tours; and

Whereas South Central Farmers organized after the City of Los Angeles and the regional food bank notified the farmers that the city had sold the land to private developers led by Ralph Horowitz and Jacob Libaw, but now this community farm faces an imminent threat of destruction due to the lifting of a preliminary injunction by an unusual decision of the State Court of Appeals which concluded that procedures in the City Charter pertaining to the sale of land need not be followed as long as the city did not formally declare that the property was no longer needed by the city;

Be it therefore resolved that the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus opposes the imminent threat of the bulldozing of the 14-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South-Central Los Angeles, and calls for its continued use as a community farm for the hundreds of families who have worked this land for the last 13 years to feed and to teach their families about their traditional Meso-American roots; and

Be it further resolved that the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus shall send this resolution to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, to Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, to State Senator Gil Cedillo, to Los Angeles City Councilmembers Perry, Reyes, Rosendahl, Gruel, Zine, LaBonge, Weiss, Cardenas, Padilla, Parks, Smith, Garcetti, and Hahn, to Congressmembers Becerra, Waters, Watson, and Solis, to County Supervisors Burke, Molina, and Yaroslavsky, to Assemblymember Bass, to State Senator Montanez, to Doug Levinson of Strategy that Rocks, and to Dr. Kenneth Pickar of Caltech's Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program.

Submitted by Bruce Campbell of the West Los Angeles Democratic Club and former Chair for the Environment, South, for the California Democratic Council

---

05-10-1-4
Offshore Oil Resolution

Whereas, the Minerals Management Service of the US Department of Interior has requested formal comments from local jurisdictions and other interested parties on its Proposed Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Leasing Program for 2007-2012; and

Whereas, the US Congress is currently considering a revised energy bill intended to undermine or rescind a 25-year long legislative OCS moratorium for California north coast and other coastal areas; and

Whereas, separate authorizing legislation has also been recently introduced which would enact permanent protection from offshore drilling for the coast of Sonoma County through expansion of the existing boundaries of the present Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Banks National Marine Sanctuaries; now, therefore,

Be it resolved, that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party hereby expresses its support for permanent protection from offshore drilling for the coast of California and re-confirms its opposition to oil or gas exploration, and development off and on California's coast line and requests that the US Department of Interior refrain from the inclusion of any OCS lease tracts offshore the California coastline in its Proposed Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program for 2007-2012; and be it further

Resolved that this resolution be transmitted in a timely manner to each member of the California Congressional Delegation, to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and to the Minerals Management Service of the US Department of Interior, c/o Ms. Renee Orr, 5-Year Program Manager, Minerals Management Service (MS-4010), Room 3120, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170, in an envelope marked on the exterior: "Comments on Preparation of the 5-Year Program for 2007-2012", to arrive prior to October 11, 2005.

Submitted by Luke Breit, Chair, Environmental Caucus and
Rachel Binah, Member, DNC

Resolutions Proposed to the Environmental Caucus
for the July 29, 2005 Meeting at the Executive Board

05-07-19-1
Resoloution Stopping the Use of Forms of Sonar That Harm Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Life Resolution
Whereas, Several mass strandings of whales have been linked directly to joint NATO exercises, including strandings in the Canary Islands and along the coast of Greece. There is no dispute that intense bursts of high-powered sonar can and do kill whales. The scientists of the International Whaling Commission have stated that the evidence linking such naval sonar to whale strandings appears "overwhelming," and,
Whereas, The scientific journal "Nature" has reported that intense, active sonar may kill marine mammals by causing their internal organs to hemorrhage. In the face of this alarming evidence, it's simply cruel and wrong to use high-powered sonar in routine training exercises without taking common-sense steps to protect whales, dolphins and other marine life; now, therefore
Be it Resolved That the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party urges Congress to ensure that the United States will immediately stop the testing of forms of sonar devices, which do irreparable harm to whales, dolphins, and other marine life and will urge our NATO allies to do the same.

Submitted by the Rio Vista Democratic Club, March 2005. Reworded July 2005 after the resolutions committee asked the author to reword it and resubmit.

Passed

05-07-19-2
Resolution Supporting the extension of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to include the entire coast of San Luis Obispo County

WHEREAS, the available evidence (which includes but is not limited to the 2004 report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, the National Marine Fisheries Service Report to Congress, the report of the Marine Conservation Biology Institute, the Pew Oceans Commission reports titled "Ecological Effects of Fishing in Marine Ecosystems of the US" and "America's Living Oceans--Charting a Course for Sea Change", and the State of California Fish and Game Commission report on the Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas) suggests the existence of serious and escalating threats to ocean resources that, once lost, are likely to be irretrievable, and;

WHEREAS, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1992, is the largest and most geographically diverse National Marine Sanctuary in the United States, extending from the Marin Headlands to Santa Rosa Creek in San Luis Obispo County, facilitating multiple uses of Sanctuary resources compatible with its primary purpose of resource protection, promoting educational and research opportunities, facilitating a proactive approach to ocean protection, preserving the lifestyle and culture associated with sustainable fisheries, including local access to seafood, and managing marine resources in a spirit of good stewardship based on sound science;

WHEREAS, the coast of San Luis Obispo County from Santa Rosa Creek to the Santa Maria River is a discrete ecological unit, vital to the social, cultural and environmental future of the state, and suitable to meet the standards set forth in section 303(a) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, deserving of the same level of protection, educational outreach, research, and stewardship that the greater Monterey Bay area currently enjoys in matters including but not limited to oil and gas exploration and development, ocean dumping, marine mammal issues, cruise ship activities, and other enterprises that use ocean resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of the State of California calls for the extension of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary southward to include the waters of San Luis Obispo County, and hereby requests the MBNMS to take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to extend its boundaries.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Party transmits copies of this resolution to the Secretary of Commerce, to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.

Submitted by Sierra Club - Santa Lucia Chapter

Inadvertantly left off agenda

05-07-19-3
Resolution Supporting Renewable Energy

WHEREAS The California Public Resources Code (25524) stipulates that no new nuclear power facilities may be constructed in the state of California until and unless the United States through its authorized agency has approved and there exists a demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste, and
WHEREAS California's aging operational nuclear power plants continue to produce and store said waste indefinitely in the absence of the development of said technology or means of disposal, and will continue to do so in increasing quantities should the plant operators submit re-licensing requests, which, if granted, will extend their plants' operating lives by twenty years or more, and

WHEREAS Clean, renewable energy can now be produced at rates competitive with those charged for nuclear power, facilitating a shift to renewable energy sources in accordance with the energy goals of the state and assuring, in combination with energy efficiencies and conservation, no net loss or shortage in meeting the state's energy requirements as we transition from traditional to alternative energy generation,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this body shall prevail upon the California State Legislature to draft and enact legislation amending California Public Resources Code 25524 so as to additionally bar the re-licensing of nuclear power plants in the state of California.

Submitted by Sierra Club - Santa Lucia Chapter

Inadvertantly left off agenda

05-07-19-4
A Resolution in Support of the A-B-C Tertiary Plan
for the Cities of Morro Bay, Cayucos and Los Osos


Whereas, The Morro Bay National Estuary is Americas smallest national estuary, estuaries being an important source of food and nutrients for the Ocean and,

Whereas, The Andre-Bay-Cayucos Plan (henceforth identified here as the A-B-C Plan) is an integrated regional full tertiary plan, making it qualified for funds not available to isolated, myopic systems currently proposed for the area and,

Whereas, The A-B-C Plan is specifically designed to address saltwater intrusion and the drinking, waste and irrigation water challenges now simultaneously faced by the cities of Morro Bay, Cayucos and Los Osos;
now, therefore,

Be it resolved, That the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party does hereby call on the Morro Bay City Council, Cayucos Sanitary District and Los Osos Community Services District to endorse the A-B-C Plan for the Morro Bay Estuary Watershed and therefore;

And be it further resolved, that the Environmental Caucus does hereby call on the California Democratic Party to endorse all such plans in place of any lower level of treatment or piecemeal approach.

Submitted by Joey Racano
Member, Environmental Caucus


Response to request on A-B-C Plan

As a resident of San Luis Obispo County and a member of the Environmental Caucus, I am requesting the membership to NOT take a position on the Resolution for the A-B-C Tertiary Plan, at this time.

The residents of Los Osos and the Los Osos Community Services District, have been involved in the battle of a sewage treatment plant for decades. The local community of Los Osos is involved in a series of lawsuits to determine if indeed the sewer plant will even be constructed.

I am asking our Environmental Caucus to vote no on the Resolution or to simply not take a position at this time.

Thank you,
Debra Broner
Atascadero, Ca 93422

Failed Passage

05-07-19-5
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) RESOLUTION

Whereas, the California Environmental Quality Act and the integrity of its environmental review process are of paramount importance to the State of California and its residents; and,

Whereas, on September 3rd, 2003 an application was filed by BHP Billiton ("BHP") with the United States Coast Guard and the California State Lands Commission for permitting of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Deepwater Port, a project of significant public concern for the State of California and for its residents and for which, on October 29, 2004, a draft environmental impact statement/report was submitted in connection with BHP's LNG Deepwater Port application and between November 5th, 2004 and December 20th, 2004, comments were submitted by members of the public regarding the pending Deepwater Port application by BHP; and,

Whereas, on June 29th, 2005, the Malibu Times published a news report of an investigation regarding public comments received in connection with the BHP project which documented the alleged falsification of public comments submitted electronically to a federal docket in connection with the BHP project, and, on July 10th, 2005, the Ventura County Star published a news report that confirmed the existence of comments in support of the BHP facility that could not be verified, listed fake addresses or used names of people who denied that they had written the comments when contacted for verification, such allegations raising serious concerns that potentially threaten the integrity of the environmental impact review process relating to the BHP project, a decision on which by the United States Coast Guard and the California State Lands Commission is anticipated to be made in the 2005-2006 time period, a process that could be severely undermined if the falsification of public comments allegations are true, such conduct having a detrimental impact on the state and federal environmental review of the BHP LNG project, matters of urgent and significant interest to the State of California and its residents; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved that the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party hereby requests the Attorney General for the State of California to initiate immediately an investigation into the aforementioned allegations of falsification of public comments in connection with the BHP project and, on the basis of that investigation, to take all actions necessary to prosecute any violations of law or ethical standards determined by the Attorney General to have occurred; and be it

Further Resolved that a copy of this Resolution be submitted to the Attorney General of the State of California.

Submitted by Susan Jordan ­ Presented by Art Hallenback
California Coastal Protection Network

Passed

Despite promises that NAFTA would help protect the environment in all three signatory countries, NAFTA has significantly increased pollution levels in the border region between the United States and Mexico, causing a disproportionate number of the region's residents to suffer from environmental health problems related to air pollution, inadequate water and sewage treatment, pesticides, and hazardous wastes; and

Since NAFTA's implementation, contamination from toxic waste and industrial chemicals has been linked to a startling concentration along the border of clusters of high cancer rates, devastating birth defects and lupus; and

Since NAFTA, spending on the environment in Mexico has fallen 45% in real terms and plant-level environmental inspections has declined at a similar rate; and

NAFTA's environmental side agreement has proven useless in enforcing any environmental protections or creating funds for toxic cleanup in any of the three signatory countries; and

NAFTA's Chapter 11 has undermined American, Mexican, and Canadian environmental standards by allowing foreign investors to demand monetary compensation for the implementation of legitimate environmental laws and regulations; and

DR-CAFTA's analogous Investor Protections pose a threat of costly investor challenges and could freeze adoption and enforcement of environmental standards, exposing Central America's unique biodiversity to damage and destruction;