Rio Hondo College Resolution Protecting, Preserving & Expanding the San Gabriel Mountains

I’ve submitted this resolution for consideration as an item on the Rio Hondo Community College District Board of Trustees meeting agenda on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 thereby establishing a partnership with the “San Gabriel Mountains Forever” campaign to preserve, protect and expand the wilderness, wild and scenic rivers in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Rio Hondo College has been an environmental leader with our Environmental Technology program, our awards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for our new buildings, awesome Geographic Information System (GIS) thanks to my buddy & Guru Warren Roberts, our forever resilient Wildland Forest Service Crew 77, and the Go Rio program that has already reduced significant car emissions.

Now,I’m proposing that Rio Hondo College take a on a more significant role in being an educational environmental leader when it comes to our local mountains, rivers and streams.

I envision our various programs collaborating on, educating, and incorporating the San Gabriel Mountains in what we do at the college.

So, I hope my progressive colleagues will see the significant benefit our College, students, staff, faculty and administration will receive by this partnership and in becoming more active with our local environment.

RIO HONDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING WILDERNESS AND WILD RIVER DESIGNATIONS FOR THE SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS

WHEREAS, “San Gabriel Mountains Forever” is a partnership of local business owners, residents, faith and community leaders, recreation groups, health and social service organizations, and conservation groups who have come together to protect wilderness and wild and scenic rivers in the San Gabriel Mountains; and

WHEREAS, The San Gabriel Mountains Forever (SGMF) campaign is presently working on twin goals to: 1) Expand wilderness and wild and scenic river designations in the San Gabriel Mountains. 2) Establish a new San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area (SGMNRA); and

WHEREAS, the spectacular San Gabriel Mountains are the iconic landmark of the Angeles National Forest. It is Southern California's most accessible and popular "backyard" for millions who visit its clear and cold rivers, and its tranquil and panoramic vistas, as viewed from the campus of Rio Hondo Community College. The Angeles National Forest is also an irreplaceable natural resource that gives Los Angeles County more than 70% of its open space and provides our region with drinking water and clean air; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the Rio Hondo Community College District to preserve nearby open space and wild areas for the protection of our region’s mountain vistas, air quality, water quality, places for solitude, vast recreation and educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, “wilderness” designations have been shown to increase property values and attract new residents, thereby generating substantial economic benefits for nearby communities through local employment and tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, “wilderness” and “wild rivers” designation would protect areas that encompass steep mountains, winding canyons, free flowing rivers, and rugged desert landscapes, including the proposed Magic Mountain, Pleasant View Ridge, Sheep Mountain, Cucamonga, and nearby West Fork wilderness additions and eligible wild and scenic rivers; and

WHEREAS, protected public lands will provide local residents, students, faculty, staff and visitors with opportunities for many recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, photography, camping, orienteering, wildlife viewing, scientific research, and nature study; and our local mountains, plans to close down and reduce capacity and hours at scores of recreational facilities throughout the San Gabriels;

WHEREAS, THE U.S. Forest Service Crew 77 Roadrunner, a Type II hand crew formed in 2001 as a joint venture between U.S. Forest Service and Rio Hondo Community college, stands ready to protect and preserve the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest; and

WHEREAS, Rio Hondo Community College District shall coordinate among its various departments and programs to actively participate in the partnership and educate students, staff, faculty and area residents on the benefits of preserving and protecting wilderness and wild and scenic rivers of the San Gabriel Mountains;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE RIO HONDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES hereby forms a partnership with “San Gabriel Mountains Forever” to protect wilderness and wild and scenic rivers in the San Gabriel Mountains and to urge Congress to designate new “wilderness” and “wild and scenic rivers” areas in the San Gabriel Mountains and to provide for the expansion of recreational opportunities to promote public health and education.