KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH

RESOLUTION 2004-087

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PROPOSED MIXING ZONE REVISIONS TO THE ALASKA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing several current Mixing Zone regulations, which govern the permit requirements for areas where treated wastewater mixes with a water body; and

WHEREAS, the proposed amendments would allow Mixing Zones in salmon-bearing streams where the existing rules prohibit Mixing Zones in such areas; and

WHEREAS, a large part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough's economy stems from healthy salmon and other marine life stocks residing in the waterways that will be affected by these proposed regulations; and

WHEREAS, the healthy wild salmon and other marine life industries support many jobs and subsistence resources to the people and communities throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough has provided significant support to the Cook Inlet Salmon Branding program, which is largely dependent upon the ability to market Cook Inlet wild salmon; and

WHEREAS, allowing Mixing Zones in salmon streams would impair the efforts of Cook Inlet sport and commercial fishers and processors to promote Cook Inlet wild salmon as clean, fresh, and healthy; and

WHEREAS, the comment period for the proposed regulations ends on September 10, 2004;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH:

SECTION 1. That the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly opposes amending the state water quality standards to allow wastewater to be discharged into salmon-bearing streams in Alaska, and urges the Department of Environmental Conservation to not adopt any such proposed changes.

SECTION 2. That copies of this resolution shall be provided to Commissioner of Department of Environmental Conservation, Governor Frank Murkowski, and (list members of KPB delegation).

SECTION 3. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH THIS *  DAY OF *  2004.