| Sierra College Academic Senate Resolution in support of Protection of Clover Valley, Rocklin, CA Passed by Sierra College Academic Senate - April 2007 Whereas, Clover Valley in Rocklin, California is within the same city as Sierra College’s main campus and within the Sierra Community College District; and Whereas, Clover Valley is a naturally formed stream-cut valley between two Cenozoic volcanic flows that currently supports flourishing terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems; and Whereas, Blue Oak Savanna and Mixed Foothill Woodland ecosystems are among the most threatened natural habitats of the Sierra Nevada; and Whereas, Clover Valley Creek is an historically active anadromous fish (Steelhead and Chinook Salmon) spawning waterway that has been identified as an imminently restorable aquatic resource; and Whereas, Clover Valley archeological studies have revealed 34 important Native American (Nisenan Maidu) cultural sites dating back to 5000 BCE including individual home sites, village lodge sites, cooking areas, ceremonial art and game sites; and Whereas, more than 33 of the above sites qualify for the National registry of Historic Places; and Whereas, Clover Valley has been identified as a cultural hub of regional Native American activity representing more than 7000 years of continuous human Native American occupation; and Whereas, more than 600 acres of the remaining undeveloped portion of Clover Valley is currently planned for residential and commercial development that would destroy more than 8000 native oak trees and add a four-lane bypass across the valley traveled by an estimated 16,000 cars per day; and Whereas, such development would permanently negatively affect the natural functioning and the visual character of oak woodlands, mixed foothill woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, riparian forests and aquatic habitats; and Whereas, Rocklin and regional cities within Western/Southern Placer County are among the most rapidly growing (urban sprawl) areas in northern California; and Whereas, Sierra College’s Student Senate has passed a resolution in support of the preservation of Clover Valley; and Whereas, ECOStudents of Sierra College have worked tirelessly in support of the preservation of Clover Valley, attended numerous Rocklin City hearings, and supported “Save Clover Valley” and the Clover Valley Foundation with countless hours of volunteer work; and Whereas, Sierra College geography professor Sean Booth has voluntarily contributed hundreds of hours and personal financial resources to the production of “Clover Valley – Last of It’s Kind”, a one-hour documentary designed to increase awareness of this threatened location; and Whereas, numerous agencies and organizations (private, and public, state and local) are currently working with the owners of Clover Valley to forge a willing-seller transfer of the location from private to public ownership; and Whereas, the preservation of Clover Valley in perpetuity represents tremendous potential of historical and educational opportunity for the residents of the City of Rocklin and the students and staff of Sierra College; and Whereas, the proximity of Clover Valley to Sierra College, Rocklin Campus, would provide endless and nearby opportunities for study and research in history, geography, geology, archeology, anthropology, biology, earth sciences, ecology, natural resources, art, photography, and many other disciplines; Resolved that the Academic Senate of Sierra College wishes to go on record in enthusiastic support and encouragement of the willing-seller, win-win negotiations that are currently in process that would secure Clover Valley forever as the historical, cultural, and natural gem that it represents for the current and future citizens of the City of Rocklin, the students of Sierra College, the residents of Placer County, the state of California, and the native peoples of North America. Joseph L. Medeiros Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Program Sierra College, Rocklin jmedeiros@sierracollege.edu |
Saving Clover Valley - Academic Resolution
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