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RESOLUTION NO. 2006- 04 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MOSCOW, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, SUPPORTING CREATION OF A STATE PARK ON STATE LAND ON MOSCOW MOUNTAIN WHEREAS, the State of Idaho owns 295.6 acres of forested school trust land on the east end of the ridge of Moscow Mountain; and WHEREAS, this forestland includes a cedar grove estimated to be 600-1000 years old; and WHEREAS, this land includes a lookout site offering one of the premier views of north-central Idaho and the Moscow area including views to the states of Montana, Oregon and Washington; and WHEREAS, the current management lease for this land has been held for the past ten years by the Nature Conservancy, which lease will expire at the end of 2006; and WHEREAS, the current policy of the Idaho Department of Lands is to log all trees larger than 24" diameter; and WHEREAS, numerous attempts have been made over the last 50 years to establish a park of this unique part of Idaho's ecological heritage once considered for designation by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark; and WHEREAS, in his 2007 State of Idaho budget, Governor Dirk Kempthorne has proposed $34 million to upgrade the Idaho State Park system, including creation of a new park in southeast Idaho; and WHEREAS, a broad-based coalition of Moscow and Latah County citizens have proposed creating a new state park on the 295.6 acres of state land on Moscow Mountain; and WHEREAS, designation as a state park would preserve the old growth cedar grove and surrounding habitat for future generations to enjoy; and WHEREAS a state park would become a valuable part of the Moscow and Latah County economy, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Moscow supports creation of Moscow Mountain State Park and requests Governor Kempthorne and members of the Idaho State Legislature to pursue legislation and funding to establish said park. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Moscow City Council this 6th day of February 2006. Se RE.')OLUTION 2006- 04 0 ON MOSCOW MOUNTAIN PAGE I OF l