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RESOLUTION NO. ( 1
(Series of 2011)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, SUPPORTING THE COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE
RESTORATION PROGRAM (CFLRP) GRANT PROPOSAL FOR THE ASPEN - SOPRIS
WILDLIFE HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ON THE WHITE RIVER NATIONAL
FOREST
WHEREAS the stated purpose of the Aspen - Sopris Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Project proposal is to develop a collaborative approach to improve wildlife browse and habitat
for bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk and a variety of non -game wildlife that inhabit fire - adapted
vegetation communities. Prescribed burning and mechanical treatments are proposed on
shrublands, aspen, conifer, and grassland vegetation on approximately 50,000 acres of land
across the Aspen - Sopris District of the White River National Forest Service. Approximately
half of the 50,000 acres to be treated will be in Pitkin County, and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen supports funding of the Aspen - Sopris Wildlife Habitat
Improvement Project through the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program
(CFLRP) grant because it pit:haat* results in the following benefits:
a. Maintenance of resources that are a critical component of D i n
r
County's tourism economy; Wildlife viewing and hunting are both
activities that are highly valued by residents and tourists, and dependent
upon healthy wildlife populations and habitat; and
b. Public health/safety and tax dollar savings related to reduction of risk
for catastrophic wildland fire; Restoring natural fire regimes in
appropriate locations may not only improve habitat, but ultimately reduce
the risk for catastrophic wildland fire and associated risks to adjacent
populated areas in Pitkin County. Collaborating with local fire
management agencies on controlled burns may in the long run not only
address health/safety issues, but save tax dollars otherwise necessary to
fight wildland fires; and
c. Potential for a collaborative effort between the White River National
Forest and Pitkin County Open Space and Trails; Pitkin County Open
Space and Trails owns and protects thousands of acres of wildlife habitat,
some of which is adjacent and provides access to, the National Forest
Lands. County- adopted management plans for these lands define similar
goals to those of the Forest for habitat management. Coordination and
collaboration between the two agencies may result in cost sharing and
improved habitat on a larger scale, allowing for a broader application of
habitat improvement on contiguous lands, increasing overall benefits to
wildlife and the public.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Aspen, Colorado that it
hereby supports funding of the Aspen - Sopris Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project through the
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) grant.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED ON THE 14TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2011.
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk 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 hereinabove stated.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk