HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2F: Res.McKenzie WatershedEUGENE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Adoption of Resolution 4836 Concerning Protection of Mature and Old Growth Forests
in the McKenzie River Watershed
Meeting Date: May 23, 2005 Agenda Item Number: 2F
Department: City Manager's Office Staff Contact: Mary Walston
www. cl. eugette, or. us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5406
ISSUE STATEMENT
At the request of a member of the community, the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
(IGR) reviewed a proposed resolution to protect mature and old growth forests in the McKenzie River
watershed. The IGR Committee discussed this topic at the meeting on May 5, 2005, and by a vote of
2:0 (Councilors Bettman and Taylor in support, Councilor Pap~ was away from the meeting during the
vote), requested that the proposed resolution be presented to the council for consideration on May 23.
BACKGROUND
While the City Council does not usually take positions on foreign or national policy matters, there is
precedent for this type of resolution and request for action. In April 2005, the council adopted a
resolution regarding torture.
Another avenue available to the City Council is signing a letter either as individual councilors or as a
council.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
There are no city policies related to this proposed resolution. The City of Eugene does have an elected
official serving on the McKenzie River Watershed Council.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The City Council may adopt the resolution as written, may amend it or may reject it.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager does not have a recommendation with regard to this proposed resolution.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to adopt Resolution 4836 concerning protection of mature and old growth forests in the McKenzie
River Watershed.
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ATTACHMENTS
A. Proposed Resolution
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Mary Walston
Telephone: 682-5406
Staff E-Mail: mary. f. walston~ci, eugene.or.us
L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050523\S0505232F.doc
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PROTECTION OF MATURE
AND OLD GROWTH FORESTS IN THE McKENZIE RIVER WATERSHED.
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that:
A. The public federal forests of the McKenzie River watershed support the quality of
life for citizens of Eugene by providing superb recreational opportunities, sustainable economic
development and clean drinking water.
B. Public federal forests in the McKenzie River watershed should be managed for the
greatest good for the greatest number of people over the longest time.
C. It is in the public interest to protect and restore the McKenzie River watershed as a
municipal water source, a recreation area, an amenity to drive tourism, and habitat for old-growth
dependent wildlife.
D. In the past, federal agencies have clear-cut old growth forests and built extensive
logging road systems in the McKenzie River watershed, degrading recreational opportunities,
reducing prospects for the tourism economy, and putting drinking water for Eugene residents at
risk.
E. Logging and road building in mature and old growth forests in the McKenzie River
watershed continue to threaten Eugene residents' quality of life.
F. While most of the Forest Service resources for future project planning is slated for
thinning the tens of thousands of acres of previously clear-cut forests, ongoing logging projects
threaten mature and old growth forests.
G. In order to preserve and enhance Eugene residents' quality of life, the Council
desires to take steps necessary to protect federal lands in the McKenzie River watershed and the
City's rights and interests in this watershed as a water supply source.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EUGENE, a
Municipal Corporation of the State of Oregon, as follows:
Section 1. The Council requests greater protection of mature and old growth forests on
federal lands in the McKenzie River watershed in the form of congressional legislation or
administrative rulemaking. Such Action should further direct the federal government to:
1.1 Protect all mature and old growth forests on federal public lands in the
McKenzie River watershed;
Resolution- 1
1.2 Cease and prohibit road building and logging in mature and old growth
forests on federal public lands in the McKenzie River watershed;
1.3 Establish and fund scientifically-based priorities for watershed restoration
and monitoring projects on federal public lands in the McKenzie River watershed.
Section 2. Pending the enactment of such a policy, the Council requests that the United
States Forest Service make necessary changes in any of its timber sales, plans or policies to protect
mature and old growth forests. As used in this Resolution, "old growth forests" are defined as
forest stands at least 180 years old, and "mature forests" are those stands between 80 -180 years of
age.
Section 3. The City reaffirms its intent to maintain the strong working relationship it has
developed with the United States Forest Service.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution adopted the 23ra day of May, 2005.
City Recorder
Resolution - 2