HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.070.2000 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY ADOPTING THE ECOLOGICAL BILL OF RIGHTS
Resolution OW-a04o
RECITALS
1. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners has great concern with the
deterioration and depletion of natural resources in Pitkin County and the Roaring
Fork Valley.
2. Preservation of environmental quality and the ecological integrity of Pitkin
County are of primary concern to the County citizens and elected leaders.
3. The enhancement, preservation, and assurance of environmental quality and
ecological integrity are essential to public health, quality of life and the local
economy.
4. Local citizen groups concerned with environmental degradation have rallied
together to develop and endorse an Ecological Bill of Rights enumerating those
ecological and environmental needs fundamental to the preservation of Pitkin
County's natural heritage.
5. The Ecological Bill of Rights is consistent with and supportive of previously
adopted County plans, policies and programs.
6. The Ecological Bill of Rights is crucial to the continued oversight and
stewardship of our natural resources entrusted to the people of Pitkin County.
7. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners recognizes previous efforts to protect
the environment by a 1989 passage of the first Ecological Bill of Rights and
embrace the concept as being sound and necessary to preserve natural resources
into the 2 1"century.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners
of Pitkin County, Colorado that the Ecological Bill of Rights (attached) is adopted
as County policy and that the Ecological Bill of Rights shall become part of the
Pitkin County Land Use Code.
AND FURTHERMORE:
That within the scope of existing and future laws, regulations, guidelines and
codes, and in consideration of the County Commissioners' obligation to make
appropriate legislative and regulatory decisions based on individual circumstances
and judgements, 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.
INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING AT
THE REGULAR MEETING ON THE 121h day of April, 2000.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES
ON THE 8th day of April, 2000.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AFTER
SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 201h day of April,
2000.
PUBLISHED AFTER ADOPTION IN THE ASPEN TIMES ON THE
29`h day of April,2000.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
_gip el ie d
i,
Jeanette Jones Sh 1 Roy 44 Ak PE2
Deputy Clerk and Recorder Chair
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FORM: MANAGER APPROVAL
147044 S urot" MIL—
John Ely 'f r pQ Suz e Konc an
County Attorney County Manager
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Thomas S. Dunlop,Director '
Environmental Health Dept.
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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 right to the preservation of 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 to public lands on roads and trails historically open to the
public consistent with the nature and designation of the public lands.
8) The right to dedicated open space protected from urbanization and development.
9)The right to the efficient and renewable use of energy.
10)The right to be free from excessive noise.
11)The right to see the night sky without the interference of unnecessary artificial light from
growth, urbanization and highway development.
12) The right to the absolute minimum involuntary exposure to toxic 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, including protecting water quality.
14) The right to expect from our government legislation and active enforcement of land use and
development regulations consistent with this Ecological Bill of Rights.
Endorsed by:
Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Council
Aspen Valley Improvement Association
Aspen Valley Land Trust
Aspen Wilderness Workshop
Audubon Society
Community Office for Resource Efficiency
Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association
Independence Pass Foundation
Roaring Crystal Alliance
Roaring Fork Conservancy
Rocky Mountain Institute
Snowmass-Capitol Creek Caucus
Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association
Trout Unlimited
Valley Resource Management
Woody Creek Caucus
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