HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-025-02/03/1998-SUPPORTING REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT RESOLUTION 98-25
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
WHEREAS,the U.S. Congress is considering reauthorizing and amending the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (ESA); and
WHEREAS, the 1997-1998 Legislative Agenda, City Plan, and the 1992 Natural Areas
Policy Plan all contain adopted policies to protect endangered and threatened species, their habitats,
and other natural features; and
WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins has very active programs and broad community support
for the conservation of important natural areas and ecosystems and relies, in part, on federal
legislation to achieve locally adopted goals; and
WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins is also part of the regulated community affected by the
Endangered Species Act; and
WHEREAS,the Legislative Review Committee of the City Council has determined that there
is need for continued federal endangered species legislation and for improvements and enhancements
to make endangered species protection and recovery programs more effective; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to communicate to the City's Congressional
representatives the City's position with respect to reauthorizing the ESA.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the Council of the City of Fort Collins supports reauthorization of the ESA,
with amendments that strengthen protection efforts and make the act more effective.
Section 2. That the U.S. Congress consider amendments to the ESA that accomplish the
following objectives:
• Encourage recovery planning efforts to occur on an ecosystem-level or watershed
basis and to address multiple species.
• Include additional provisions for involvement of affected parties, conservation
organizations, and the public at large in the review and decision making under the
act.
• Require the development of habitat conservation plans, recovery plans, and other
recovery efforts with clearly defined terms and conditions; such plans should include
provisions that allow reopening for review and modification under well defined
circumstances and timelines (i.e. five to ten years).
• Require biological goals be established to measure the success of recovery plans.
• Provide access to decision making to affected parties and the public.
• Provide incentives to non-federal entities, including local governments and private
landowners for voluntary efforts to protect endangered and threatened species.
• Increase federal education and technical assistance programs.
• Provide adequate funding and staffing to implement the ESA.
Section 3. That the Mayor and members of the Legislative Review Committee are hereby
directed to communicate the City's position with respect to the ESA to members of the Colorado
Congressional delegation.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 3rd day of February,
A.D. 1998. - Jj
f
Mayor /
ATTEST:
City Clerk rS