341RESOLUTION No.341
CITY OF MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON
WHEREAS,in the Pacific Northwest it has been a long accepted practice for
many municipalities to protect and restrict access to surface watersheds
which are the source of their potable fresh water supply in order to produce
water of high quality requiring only simple chlorination in order to safeguard
the public health of the customers,and
WHEREAS the protection and preservation of these watershed areas has per
mitted the production of high quality water at low cost which has contributed
materially to the economic growth and well-being of this area,and
WHEREAS,the municipal watersheds in the State of Washington supply the
potable water for approximately one-half of the population of the State
while occupying less than one per cent of the State land area without detracting
from the exceptional recreation opportunities already available which include
many lakes,rivers and creeks,in addition to the Puget Sound and Pacific
Ocean coastal areas,and
WHEREAS,the State of Washington already has approximately one-third of
its area set aside in public land which is available for recreation,and which
includes ample present and future camping,picnicking and hunting lands,and
WHEREAS,water pollution has become a matter of tremendous magnitude
and pressing concern on a national scale and is becoming more acute to the
prejudice of the public health and well-being of the citizens of this country,and
WHEREAS,municipalities of the State of Washington are expending funds
to protect their consumers and to preserve and maintain the purity of their
municipal water supply sources through the control of access into their water
shed areas,and
WHEREAS,the Department of Agriculture and United States Forest Service are
attempting to interfere in matters of local determination by opening watersheds
for unrestricted access and recreational purposes contrary to the recommendations
of the majority of local interest and Public Health Authorities,NOW,THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED:That the City Council of the City of Moses Lake is unanimously
opposed to the efforts of Federal Government agencies in attempting to open
municipal watersheds for unrestricted access and recreational development with
out regard to the economic requirements of the area and contrary to the recommend
ations of local interests and Public Health Authorities,and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be sent to the President
of the United States,Secretary of Agriculture,Secretary of Army and all of
the members of the Washington and Oregon Congressional Delegation,the
Governor and State Legislators of the State of Washington urging that every
effort be made to protect and preserve the purity of our most basic of all
natural resources -WATER.
PASSED by the City Council and APPROVEiyby its Mayor this 27th day of
October,1964.
ATTEST:
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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