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Agenda Item No. S(F) RESOLUTION 2012-X RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO REGARDING WATER, ECOSYTEM HEALTH AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AND SACRAMENTO- SAN JOAQUIN RIVER DELTA WHEREAS, the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta ("the Delta") are at risk from many factors, and the State is proposing large scale changes to water conveyance through and around the Delta to address state-wide water supply needs, changes to the Delta ecosystem to address declining ecosystem health and fish populations, changes to land use authority within the Delta, and changes to water rights, statewide water management and many other aspects related to the Delta that will impact the areas in and around the Delta; and WHEREAS, each city and town in Contra Costa County will be adversely impacted by planned actions in the Delta through reduction in water quality and health of the San Francisco Bay-Delta and the resulting increase in storm water (NPDES) permit requirements; and WHEREAS, the El Cerrito City Council believes there is value in developing an initiative on issues concerning the Delta, its watershed and the greater San Francisco Bay- Delta estuary; and WHEREAS, the El Cerrito City Council wishes to join with other cities, towns, special districts, organizations and agencies ("Stakeholders") in articulating the issues and interests from the perspective of the Delta region itself, from the people who call the Delta home and best understand the tremendous resource the Delta represents; and WHEREAS, the City of El Cerrito joins with other stakeholders in recognizing the efforts and value of the Delta Counties Coalition and a need for joint action and advocacy on Delta-related issues, and has identified a mutual interest. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of El Cerrito, as a Stakeholder, adopts this Resolution for the purpose of articulating mutual interests on Bay-Delta issues. Furthermore, the City of El Cerrito joins other stakeholders in resolving to work together to defend Bay-Delta related interests from a regional perspective and to use a unified voice to advocate on behalf of local government in available forums at all levels. Our principles of mutual interest are as follows: 1. Local Government Authority. Recognition of the authority and responsibility given to local government related to land use, urban and agricultural water supply, wastewater treatment and recycling, water resource development, flood management, public health and safety, economic development and sustainable growth, agriculture stability, recreation, and environmental protection. ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 5(F) 2. Delta Ecosystem. Protection and restoration of a healthy sustainable Delta ecosystem including adequate water quality, outflow, and water supply, to support fisheries, wildlife and habitat in perpetuity. 3. Existing System Reliability. Support immediate improvements to the existing Through-Delta Conveyance and improvements to protect key regionally important infrastructure, such as trans-delta aqueducts, as part of a complete strategy for the State's water management and to ensure reliability of the existing water supply system. 4. Delta Outflows. Ensure adequate Delta outflows to San Francisco Bay to support fisheries, wildlife, habitat, water quality and other beneficial uses. 5. Regional Self-Sufficiency. Incorporation of sustainable approaches for improved water supply, water quality and reliability through the overarching principle of regional self-sufficiency to reduce reliance on exports from the Delta and reduce the current impacts on the Bay-Delta ecosystem. 6. Delta Area Communities. Protect the economic viability of industry, recreation, tourism, and agriculture, and the ongoing vitality of communities throughout the Delta and immediately adjacent to the Delta, and along the shoreline of the greater San Francisco Bay-Delta. 7. Fair Representation. Represent and include local government in any new governance structure for the Delta. 8. Flood Protection. Support funding and implementation of urban and non- urban flood protection, at the appropriate level of protection, through rehabilitation, improvement and maintenance of flood control levees and structures. I CERTIFY that at a regular meeting on February 21, 2012, the City Council of the City ofEl Cerrito passed this Resolution by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: IN WITNESS of this action, I sign this document and affix the corporate seal of the City ofEl Cerrito on February XX, 2012. Cheryl Morse, City Clerk APPROVED: William C. Jones III, Mayor