HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-128RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ASSIGNMENT OF THE
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE GLOBAL HAWK PROJECT
TO BEALE AIR FORCE BASE
WHEREAS, Beale Air Force Base has been the home of the reconnaissance programs
for the United States Air force for many years, including the U-2 and SR-71 surveillance aircraft;.
and
WHEREAS, the United States Air Force is developing a reconnaissance program that
would use high-tech unmanned aircraft for intelligence missions, known as the Global Hawk
Project; and
WHEREAS, the United States Air Force is in the process of considering various military
installations to determine the most suitable location for the Global Hawk Project mission to be
assigned; and
WHEREAS, there is strong community support for the Global 1-hawk Project mission
within the County of Butte.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Butte County Board of Supervisors
hereby proclaims its strong support for assigning the Global Hawk Project to Beale Air Force
Base and encourages the United States Air Force to consider the following factors in making its
decisions to site the Global Hawk Project at Beale Air Force Base:
1. There has been long-standing community support for all missions that have been
assigned to Beale Air Force Base.
2. The climate at Beale Air Farce Base is ideal for flight operations.
3, There is a minimal amount of civilian air traffic at Beale Air Force Base ~~~hich
made it ideal for the U-2 surveillance air craft and would make it ideal for the
Global Hawk.
4. There are other nearby Air Force bases to support the Global Hawk mission in the
event of emergency.
5. Beale Air Force Base has an abundance of land available if needed to support
development of the Global Hawk mission;
6. Both military and civilian personnel at Beale Air Force Base have the experience
and expertise to support reconnaissance missions such as the Global Hawk Project.
7. Appropriate infrastructure upgrades, including $2 million in drinking water and $4
million in wastewater treatment facilities are being constructed at Beale Air Force
Base, which will sustain Beale operations into the year 2050.
S. Butte County officials have carefully monitored and regulated growth to prevent
encroachment upon the Beale Air Farce Base air space.
9. Butte County is informed that Beale Air Force Base environmental officials have
carefully managed projected growth to protect riparian habitat, vernal pools, and
wetlands, and have ensured remediation efforts fully comply with federal, state, and
local laws and policies.
10. Butte County is informed that Bear. Air Force Base officials have approved
environmental plans and documents that would accommodate the new mission.
"I'he Butte County Board of Supervisors hereby urges the United States Air Force to place
Beale Air Force Base at the top of its list of potential candidates for assignment of the Global
Hawk Project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 10°i day of
October 2000 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTINt;: None
Beeler, lioux, Josiassen, Davis and Chair Dolan
JANF. DOLAN, Chair
ATTEST:
JOHN S. BLACKLOCK, Chief Administrative Officer
and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
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