HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.056.2000 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO,
SUPPORTING POPULATION STABILIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Resolution#2000- �fc
RECITALS
1. The population of the Untied States reached 275 million in 1999 and is
growing by approximately three million each year, (over 57,000 weekly), the highest
population growth rate of the developed countries of the world. Most developed countries
are at zero or negative population growth. (Dr. Albert Bartlett, University of Colorado,
Boulder).
2. The population of the U.S. is about five percent of the world's population,
consuming up to 25 percent of portions of world's natural resources (Population Reference
Bureau).
3. A population cannot be stable if, by its size or behavior, it destroys the very
life-support systems on which it depends. The ability of the United States to support a
population within its carrying capacity is now strained because of population growth. (Dr.
Virginia Abernethy, Population-Environment Balance) Fifty percent of our original
wetlands have been drained to accommodate growth. (Environmental Protection Agency)
Ninety-five percent of all U.S. old growth forests have been destroyed. (Save American
Forests) It is estimated that we have consumed approximately three-fourths of all our
recoverable petroleum, and we now import more than half of the oil we consume in the
United States. (Bartlett) America's underground aquifers are being drawn down 23 percent
more than their natural rates of recharge. (Carrying Capacity Network).
4. For each person added to the U.S. population, about one acre of open land is
lost through urbanization and degradation, causing a total yearly loss of about three million
acres. America annually exports $40 billion in food. If present population trends continue,
the U.S. will cease to be a food exporter by about 2030. (Dr. David Pimentel, Cornell
University).
5. Immigration is the leading cause of population growth in the United States.
Population is the leading cause of environmental degradation. (The Environmentalist's
Guide to a Sensible Immigration Policy).
6. The report of the Task Force on Population and Consumption of the
President's Council on Sustainable Development(1996) said: "The two most important
steps toward sustainability are: ]. to stabilize the population promptly, and 2. to move
toward greater material and energy efficiency in all production and use of goods and
service. " The President's Council said, "...reducing immigration levels is a necessary part
ofpopulation stabilization and the drive toward sustainability. " (Executive Summary)
7. Poverty, exacerbated by population growth generated by the population
explosion, places demands on infrastructure: schools, health care facilities, waste disposal
plants, transportation systems, fire protection, water supplies,power generation plants
and other social services that exceed the ability of local jurisdictions and communities to
provide these services, forcing those jurisdictions to increase taxes to keep up with
demand.
8. Legal and illegal immigration combined is too high for assimilation. In
1998 alone, there were 420,000 illegal permanent entries into the U.S. (U.S. Immigration
and Naturalization Service) The latest U.S. Census Bureau figures show that immigration
will add 90 million to the U.S. population, and account for 70 percent of population
growth within the next 50 years. If mass immigration continues, the population of the
U.S. will exceed 400 million by 2050. If current proposals to increase immigration are
adopted, the U.S. population could exceed a half-billion by 2050. (U.S. Census Bureau)
9. Contemporary pressures to emigrate from foreign countries are created in
large by exponential population growth, displacement and urbanization of farmers,
environmental exploitation and degradation and by unsustainable wages,benefits, and
protections for workers. (Dr. Robert Cohen, Boulder, Colorado, Population/Global
Research)
10. Continuous population growth is unsustainable. (Bartlett) Considering
population momentum, a permanent return to more traditional 20"' Century (1925 to
1965) immigration levels on all immigration in excess of 175,000 annually, will
eventually allow the U.S, to stabilize its population sometime after another 50 years, at
best at a level exceeding more than 350 million Americans. (Roy Beck, Numbers
USA.com)
11. A majority of Americans of all ethnic and racial backgrounds favor
substantial reduction in legal immigration and a complete halt to illegal immigration.
(1998 Wall Street Journal; 1996 Roper Poll; Hispanic USA Group survey)
12. The people of the United States and the Board of County Commissioners
of Pitkin County, Colorado, envision a country with a stable population, material and
energy efficiency, a sustainable future, a healthy environment, clean air and water, ample
open space, wilderness, abundant wildlife and social and civic cohesion in which the
dignity of human life is enhanced and protected.
13. The Board of County Commissioners recognizes the value of diversity and
the contributions of immigrants since the arrival of the first settlers many centuries ago. We
also recognize and deplore the exploitation of immigrants through violations of the Fair
Labor Standards Act, such as minimum wage and overtime abuses. We specifically reject
the notion that immigrants, (legal and not),are disproportionately criminal or bad people.
Nonetheless, we believe immigration, both legal and illegal, should be restrained. The
United States has a responsibility to promote family planning opportunities world-wide, to
require our trade partners to treat their laborers humanely, and to respect our shared
environment.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners
of Pitkin County, Colorado,hereby petitions the Congress of the United States and the
President to immediately implement,with deliberate speed and by means consistent with the
Constitution of the United States, the consensus of the American People and the President's
Council, legislation appropriate to stabilize the population of the Untied States and insure
sustainability that:
• Will encourage and promote all opportunities toward establishing and maintaining
material and energy efficiency, social and environmental responsibility
• Provide for the immediate permanent establishment of all immigration levels not to
exceed 175,000 annually
• Require equitable wages,protections and benefits for workers and national and
community environmental protections to be a mutual part of all free trade
agreements
• Mandate enforcement of our immigration laws against illegal immigration,thereby
promoting the future well-being of all the citizens of this county, state and nation
• Provide financial support of programs designed to assist Third World nations with
family planning utilizing all methods of education and contraceptives available
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:
Pitkin County accepts its responsibility to work to improve working and living
conditions, both locally and throughout the world,through appropriate regulations that
support multi-cultural educational programs, that conserve natural resources worldwide,that
move toward greater energy efficiency in production and use of good and services, and that
exhibit social responsibility.
APPROVED ON THE 22nd DAY OF MARCH 2O00.
PUBLISHED AFTER ADOPTION IN THE ASPEN TIMES ON THE 1 ST
DAY OF APRIL 2000.
AT7 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
By: c95r
Jeanof e Jone4Recorer
Shellie Roy Harper, C airpers�
Dep ty Clerk
Date: q' 4---y
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
✓jam JA Ely S e S. Konchan
�"" County Attorney Couw Manager