The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee passed the following Resolution last night by unanimous vote. The Committee is made up of a wide demographic including women, men, gay, straight, Hispanic, African American, Caucasian, all economic levels, young, and older members from every corner of Ventura County. This demonstrates the vast support for the preservation of environmental resources among Democrats throughout the county.
The full text of the Resolution passed is:
Resolution to Preserve, Protect and Restore the Ormond Beach Wetlands of Oxnard California
Author: Carmen Ramirez
Sponsor: Communications Committee
Date: 1/26/2010 revised
Whereas within the boundaries of the City of Oxnard lies a critical, unique and precious natural resource, the Ormond Beach Wetlands, a major stopover for migrating birds on the Pacific flyway and an irreplaceable habitat for other endangered species on a coastline that has been neglected, abused and subjected to toxic industrial pollution, yet remains a priceless cultural, aesthetic and natural heritage for all Californians, including future generations;
And whereas over 91% of California’s historic wetlands have been lost forever, while the Ormond Beach wetlands – despite its proximity to the Halaco metal recycling plant, now an EPA Superfund site – still has a real chance to be fully restored and to thrive,
And whereas neither the City of Oxnard’s 2030 General Plan nor the Ormond Beach Specific Plan provides full protection to the surrounding land that’s necessary to buffer and protect the wetlands, in the likely event of sea level rise caused by climate change;
And whereas neither the City of Oxnard’s 2030 General Plan nor the Ormond Beach Specific Plan promotes the optimal and superior economic possibilities of new green jobs, eco-tourism, scientific study and education which could and should be promoted at Ormond Beach;
Be it therefore resolved that the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee officially supports the “resource protection” designation of all land in the Ormond Beach area of the 2030 General Plan land use map as the appropriate and “best practice” designation in order to protect and buffer coastal and wetland habitat and to promote Ormond Beach as an area for tourism, scientific study and education.
Be it further resolved that the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee officially supports the “resource protection” designation of all land covered by the Halaco slag heap property adjacent to Ormond Beach on the 2030 General Plan land use map, and supports and encourages the elected officials of the City of Oxnard to vote to change the designation of the Halaco smelter property to “resource protection” as well, instead of “industrial,” in order to effect the most protective clean-up of the location and ensure future land uses consistent with wetland and coastal habitat.
Be it further resolved that the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee supports the acquisition and restoration of the maximum wetland area and asks that the City of Oxnard’s 2030 General Plan and Ormond Beach Specific Plan facilitate the California State Coastal Conservancy’s preferred plan to acquire, permanently protect, and restore the maximum acreage of the Ormond Beach wetlands (Alternative 2U in the Conservancy’s October 2009 Feasibility Study).
