HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-084-10/01/2013-URGING THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF A PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON HYDRAULIC FR OPTION #1
RESOLUTION 2013-084
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FO /istered
LINS
URGING THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CIOTE IN FA OR
OF A PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON HYDRAULIC RING A THE
STORAGE OF ITS WASTE PRODUCTS WITHIN THE F FORT OLLINS
OR ON LANDS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION AT THE NOVE5 SP IAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, under Article X, Section 1 of the City Char istered electors of theCity have the power to propose a measure to the City Council, antry Council fails to adopta measure so proposed, then to adopt or reject such ordinance oron at the polls; andWHEREAS, an initiative petition to place a five-year m on the use of hydraulic
fracturing and the storage of its waste products within the City pf Fort Collins or on lands under its
jurisdiction was submitted to the City (the "Initiated M di
easu "), and the City Clerk has certified
said petition as sufficient for submission of the initiated rnance to a vote of the people at a
special municipal election; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk presented said etition to the City Council as provided in
Article X, Section 5(f)(4) of the City Charter; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution 2013-072, e City Council submitted the Initiated Measure to
the registered electors of the City for the' consideration at a special election to be held in
conjunction with the November 5, 2031 c rdinated election; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Con notion confers on all individuals in the state, including the
citizens of Fort Collins, certain inali able rights, including "the right of enjoying and defending
their lives and liberties; of acquir• g, possessing and protecting property; and of seeking and
obtaining their safety and happin s"; and
WHEREAS, the Color do Oil and Gas Act requires oil and gas resources to be extracted in
a"manner consistent with p tection of public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of
the environment and wildl• e resources; and
WHEREAS, t well stimulation process known as hydraulic fracturing is used to extract
deposits of oil, gas, d other hydrocarbons through the underground injection of large quantities
of water, gels, acid or gases, sands or other proppants, and chemical additives, many of which are
known to be toxi ; and
WHE AS, the people of Fort Collins seek to protect themselves from the harms
associated ith hydraulic fracturing, including threats to public health and safety, property
damage d diminished property values, poor air quality, destruction of landscape, and pollution
of dri ng and surface water; and
Not Considered
October 1, 2013
WHEREAS, representatives from the State of Colorado have public/fractng
h will
be conducting a health impact assessment to assess the risks posed by hyng andunconventional oil and gas development; and
WHEREAS, the people of Fort Collins have determined that the besuard ourinalienable rights provided under the Colorado Constitution, and to ensction ofpublic health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment asources"
as provided under the Colorado Oil and Gas Act, is to place a five-year ratorium on hydraulic
fracturing and the storage and disposal of its waste products within the 'ty in order to fully study
the impacts of this process on property values and human health; and
WHEREAS, Section 1-45-117(1)(b) of the Colorado Rev' ed Statutes authorizes the City
Council to pass a resolution taking a position on the Initiated B lot.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY TH OUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS, as follows:
Section 1. That, for the reasons stated ab e, the City Council believes that it is in the
best interests of the City that the proposed citizen-' itiated ordinance placing a five-year '
moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing to tract oil, gas and other hydrocarbons and on the
storage of the waste products of hydraulic frac ring within the City or on lands under the City's
jurisdiction be approved.
Section 2. That the City Cou cil strongly urges the registered electors of the City to
vote in favor of the Initiated Measure.
Passed and adopted at a re lar meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 1 st
day of October, A.D. 2013.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Not Considered
October 1, 2013