HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-010RESOLUTION OF THE BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REQUESTING SUPPORT FROM STATE LEGISLATORS FOR AN ALCOHOL
BAN ON A SPECIFIED PORTION OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER
ON LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
WHEREAS, in past years, during the Lobar Day weekend, tens of thousands of
people have flocked to the portion of the Sacramento River located between the
Highway 32 Bridge (north of the Irvine Finch River Access) and the outlet of Channel
Slough (approximately 5.6 miles south of the Irvine Finch River Access) to float on
inner tubes and other makeshift rafts; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of the people involved in this activity bring
alcoholic beverages that they consume as they float down the river; and
WHEREAS, participants in the float congregate by the thousands an a small
island, which has become known as "Beer Can Beach"; and
WHEREAS, it is not uncommon for fights and other unruly behavior involving
intoxicated individuals to occur on the Beach, necessitating a law enforcement
response; and
WHEREAS, medical aids and emergency rescues of individuals whose
judgment is impaired due to intoxication are common; and
WHEREAS, each year this unsanctioned event requires a massive response by
law enforcement, medical, and fire and rescue personnel in order to keep the peace and
prevent death or serious injury; and
WHEREAS, due in large part to the excessive consumption of alcohol during
this event, it has became a threat to public safety and a serious draw an limited public
safety resources; and
WHEREAS, state legislation prohibiting the possession andlor consumption of
alcoholic beverages on the affected area of the Sacramento River, by individuals
floating down the river during the Labor Day holiday weekend would serve to mitigate
the threat to public safety that currently exists; and
WHEREAS, enacting a County ordinance that would prohibit the possession and/or
consumption of alcoholic beverages along the banks of the Sacramento River, within the affected
area, during the Labor Day holiday weekend would also serve the mitigate the threat to public
safety; and
WHEREAS, similar legislation was enacted on the American River in Sacramento
County (Business & Professions Code §25608.10} and on the Truckee River in Placer County
(Business & Professions Code §25608.5} to assist with comparable events; and
WHEREAS, the Butte County Sheriff and District Attorney fiilly support these actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, SE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors, on its own
behalf and on the behalf of the residents of Butte County, requests its State Legislators to support
and author legislation that would prohibit the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic
beverages on the portion of the Sacramento River between the Highway 32 Bridge (north of the
hvine Finch River Access) and the outlet of Channel Slough {approximately 5.6 miles south of
the Irvine Finch River Access) during the Labor Day holiday weekend; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors commits to enacting a
County ordinance that will prohibit possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages along
the banks ofthe Sacramento River, within the affected area, during the Labor Day holiday
weekend should the State Legislation be adopted.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 8th day of
February 2011 by the following vote:
AYES: Superisors Connelly, Wahl, Kir1~, Yamaguchi, and Chair Lambert
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None
Steve Lambe air
ATTEST:
Paul
and
By: