HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.042-89 RESOLUTION No. ~"~ (Series of 1989)
A RESOLUTION OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE ECOLOGICAL
BITW. OF RIGHTS AS AN EXTENSION TO THE CITY COUNCIL 1989
DECLARATION OF GOALS
WHEREAS, the preservation of the environmental quality and
ecological integrity of the City of Aspen is of primary concern
to the government and citizens of the City of Aspen; and
WHEREAS, the enhancement, preservation and assurance of
environmental quality and ecological integrity is essential to
the local economy, quality of life and public health; and
WHEREAS, local citizen's groups concerned with environmental
issues have banded together to develop and endorse an Ecological
Bill of Rights enumerating those ecological and environmental
needs fundamental to the preservation of the City of Aspen's
natural heritage and resources; and
WHEREAS; the Ecological Bill of Rights is generally
consistent with and supportive of the City Council's 1989
Declaration of Goals and previously adopted City plans, policies
and programs; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to add the Ecological Bill
of Rights to their Declaration of Goals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO:
Section 1.
That it does hereby adopt the attached Ecological Bill of
Rights.
Section 2.
That the principles and intent of the Ecological Bill of
Rights be incorporated as City Policy into future editions of the
Aspen Land Use Regulations.
Section 3.
That within the scope of existing laws, regulations,
guidelines and codes, and in consideration of the City Council's
obligation to make appropriate legislative and regulatory
decisions based on individual circumstances and judgments,
future land use legislation and development applications will be
judged on the basis of their conformance with, and contribution
to, the principles and goals espoused by the Ecological Bill of
Rights.
Dated: ~ ~ , 1989.
William L. Stirl~ng, 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, as a meeting held ~, 1989.
Kathryn S~Koch, City Cler~
j tdas/ccreso, ecological
ECOLOGICAL BILL OF RIGHTS
As residents of the City of Aspen and of Pitkin County and
stewards of their natural heritage and resources, we believe that
the integrity of our valley ecosystems is increasingly threatened
by human activity.
The topography and ecosystems of this valley have natural
constraints which are being violated, as growth, with all its
impacts, begins to take its toll. We feel that the time has come
to recognize that the valley's carrying capacity is in danger of
being exceeded.
Therefore, we propose that this Ecological Bill of Rights be
incorporated as an integral and legally binding part of the Land
Use Code and the Growth Management Plan and decision making
processes of both the city and the County.
Our inalienable ecological rights are:
1. The right to breathe clean air.
2. The right of upstream and downstream riparian areas and
wetlands to exist intact and unspoiled to ensure an
adequate source of unpolluted water.
3. The right to the preservation of our natural resources,
to include free flowing rivers, lakes, mountains,
forests, riparian areas, wetlands and natural plant and
wildlife diversity.
4. The right to ensure that Wilderness lands are protected
according to the purpose for which they were
designated.
5. The right of access to our public lands.
6. The right to agricultural lands and open space
protected from urbanization or inappropriate
development.
7. The right to ensure the efficient use of energy and of
natural resources.
8. The right to be free from involuntary exposure to
chemicals, minerals, radioactive substances and energy
forms that are hazardous to health.
9. The right to be free from excessive noise.
10. The right to expect from our governments active and
consistent enforcement of land use and development
regulations.
Presented by:
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
The Parks Association
The Aspen Wilderness Workshop
The Environmental Research Group
The Mount Sopris Group of the Sierra Club
The Tenth Mountain Trail Association
The Rocky Mountain Institute
Trout Unlimited
Windstar
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