HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.042-00 RESOLUTION No. 42
(Series of 2000)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
ADOPTING AN AMENDED AND UPDATED ECOLOGICAL BILL OF RIGHTS
WHEREAS, the preservation of the environmental quality of the City of Aspen is of primary
concern to the government and citizens of the City of Aspen; and
WHEREAS, protection of the environment is necessary to ensure the health of residents and
visitors in the City of Aspen; and
WHEREAS, the preservation and improvement of environmental quality are essential to
our local economy and thus allow the City to continue to protect environmental quality in Aspen;
and
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council adopted an Ecological Bill of Rights in 1989, which now
needs to be revised and updated; and
WHEREAS, a group of local citizens concerned about environmental issues has worked to
develop a revised and updated Ecological Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, several local environmental groups have supported and endorsed the concept
of this Ecological Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, the updated Ecological Bill of Rights is consistent with and a part of the 2000
Aspen Area Community Plan update and will help to achieve the goals of the Aspen Area
Community Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aspen realizes that difficult choices must be
made in balancing various City goals, but wishes to use this Ecological Bill of Rights as a set of
goals and as guiding principles for it and city staff to use in their work, in concert with the Aspen
Area Community Plan as adopted on February 28, 2000 including support for designated
affordable housing sites.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO THAT
Section 1.
It does hereby adopt an Ecological Bill of Rights, a copy of which is appended hereto as
Exhibit "A'.
Section 2.
Within the scope of existing laws, regulations, guidelines and codes, and in consideration of
the City Council's obligation to make appropriate legislative, regulatory and policy decisions
based on individual circumstances and judgements, the principles and intent of these Rights shall
be incorporated as city policy whenever reasonably necessary, and the City Manager is hereby
directed to publish and distribute the Ecological Bill of rights'to all City personnel.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Councii of the City of Aspen on the ~O day
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appoinWxi 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. I~dh, City Clerk
ECOLOGICAL BILL OF RIGHTS
As residents of the City of Aspen and of Pitkin County, and stewards of our natural
heritage and resources, we see the integrity of our valley ecosystem increasingly
challenged and violated by human activity. Population growth and the
accompanying sprawl are seriously damaging and threatening to destroy the
ecological carrying capacity (environmental sustainability) of this valley.
1) The right to breathe clean air and enjoy clear vistas.
2) The fight to the preservation of remaining natural riparian areas and wetlands.
3) The right to permanently protected minimum stream flows in rivers and creeks.
4) The right to the preservation and restoration of native wildlife and plant diversity by
preservation of sufficient habitat.
5) The right to protection of designated wilderness through management of adjoining land in a
way that preserves the integrity of the wilderness areas.
6) The right to a landscape kept free of noxious and invasive weeds.
7) The right of appropriate access m public lands on roads and trails historically open to the
public consistent with the nature and designation of the public lands.
8) The fight to dedicated open space protected fi.om urbanization and development.
9) The fight to the efficient and renewable use of energy.
10) The fight to be flee from excessive noise.
11) The right to see the night sky without the interference of unnecessary artificial light fi.om
growth, urbanization and highway development.
12) The fight to the absolute minimum involuntary exposure to toxin chemicals, radioactive
substances and energy forms that are hazardous to health.
13) The right to maintain and not exceed the carrying capacity (sustainability) of the land and
water, and including protecting water quality.
14) The right to expect fi.om our government legislation and active enforcement of land use and
development regulations consistent with this Ecological Bill of Rights.
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