Eugene, OR Protection of Mature and Old Growth Forests
Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 1/14/08
Vote: In Favor - 5 Opposed - 3
Source File: Click here
Text:
RESOLUTION NO. 4923
A RESOLUTION CONCERNING PROTECTION OF MATURE AND OLD GROWTH FORESTS IN THE STATE OF OREGON
The City Council of the City of Eugene finds that
A. The public federal forests in Oregon support the quality of life for citizens of Eugene and the State of Oregon by providing superb recreational opportunities sustainable economic development and clean drinking water.
B. Public federal forests in Oregon 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 federal forests in Oregon as municipal water sources recreation areas an amenity to driver 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 federal forests in Oregon putting drinking water for Oregon residents at risk.
E. Logging and road building in mature and old growth forests in public federal forests continue to threaten Oregon residents quality of life.
F. In order to preserve and enhance Oregon residents quality of life the Council desires to take steps necessary to protect federal lands in the State of Oregon and the City s interests in these public federal forests.
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 State of Oregon 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 lands in the State of Oregon;
1.2 Cease and prohibit road building and logging in mature and old growth forests on federal public lands in the State of Oregon;
1.3 Establish and fund scientifically-based priorities for restoration, monitoring, and protection projects on federal public lands for mature and old growth forests.
Section 2. Pending the enactment of such a policy, the Council requests that the United States Government, including all federal agencies in charge of public federal lands in Oregon, 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 forests 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 a strong working relationship it has developed with the federal agencies in charge of public federal forests in Oregon.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.