HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.138-18 RESOLUTION NO. 138
(Series of 2018)
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
ENDORSING THE PASSAGE OF STATE BALLOT ISSUE AMENDMENT #112
REGARDING STRICT LIMITS, (2500 FOOT SETBACKS), ON DISTANCES
BETWEEN UNCONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT ("FRACKING")
AND SCHOOLS,HOSPITALS, RESIDENCES,AND DRINKING WATER SOURCES.
WHEREAS, living within a half-mile of unconventional oil and gas development and
production, often referred to as "fracking,"has been shown by peer-reviewed scientific studies to
have increased risks and direct detrimental impacts to human health; and
WHEREAS,these risks and impacts can range from temporary stresses to potentially fatal
conditions and life-long disabilities, including:
• Noise and vibration-associated sleep disruption and stress,
• an elevated risk of neurologic problems,
• eye,nose and throat symptoms, along with mild to severe asthma exacerbations,
• an increase in heart disease and cardiac hospitalizations,
• low birth weight babies and birth defects such as neural tube defects and congenital heart
defects,
• permanent brain damage to children, and
• cancer, including an increased rate of acute lymphocytic leukemia in children and young
adults; and
WHEREAS, nine Front Range counties and Rio Blanco County received an"F"rating by the
American Lung Association, with oil and gas development a contributing factor. Ozone, even at
relatively low doses, has been shown to have health impacts.
WHEREAS, since the April 2017 flow]ine-related explosion in Firestone that killed two men
and injured one woman in their home,Colorado has experienced at least a dozen reported fires
and explosions at oil and gas sites, resulting in death or serious injuries. The average evacuation
distance for a U.S. well blowout is .8 miles.
WHEREAS, in addition to the risks to both groundwater and aquifers from "fracking"
operations and injection wells,there were 619 spills in Colorado in 2017: 93,000 gallons of oil
into soil, groundwater and streams, and 506,000 gallons of produced water spilled, including
direct flows into waterways. Colorado is an and state, and drinking water sources must be
protected.
WHEREAS, as planned oil and gas development collides with neighborhoods throughout
Colorado," it is more important than ever to establish buffer zones between based on the ever-
increasing science.
WHEREAS,the City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of
Aspen to approve this Resolution and support Statewide Ballot Amendment 112.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado
that it endorses the passage of Statewide Ballot Amendment 112 and authorizes the Mayor to
sign this resolution on behalf of the City Council.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the 8th
day of October 2018.
Stevenadr n, Mayor
I, Linda Manning, duly appointed and acting City C erk do certify that the foregoing is a
true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabov sta ed.
"1 , C
nda Manning, City Clerk