HomeMy WebLinkAbout12643RESOLUTION NO. 12643
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HEALTHY FOREST
MANAGEMENT AND WILDFIRE PREVENTION ACT
WHEREAS, the Healthy Forest Management and Wildfire Prevention Act
declares the bark beetle epidemic, drought, and deteriorating forest health conditions on
National Forest System land and lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land
Management with the resulting risk of devastating wildfires as an imminent threat; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 818 gives governors the authority to designate high-risk areas
within the National Forest System and lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land
Management and requires that governors consult with county commissioners from
affected counties and affected tribes in designating high-risk areas; and
WHEREAS, this legislation gives the states and the Secretaries of the Interior
and Agriculture in consultation with states the authority to provide for the development
of proposed emergency hazardous fuels reduction projects for high-risk areas; and
WHEREAS, this legislation applies expedited procedures and authorities under
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to emergency hazardous fuels reduction
projects in designated high-risk areas; and
WHEREAS, this legislation permanently authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior
and Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with state foresters to authorize
the state forester to provide forest, rangeland, and watershed protection services on
applicable federal lands (Good Neighbor Authority); and
WHEREAS, this legislation excludes Wilderness Areas and National Monuments
and protects all valid and existing rights on applicable lands; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 818 provides expedited approval procedures for projects
carried out in response to hazardous fuels in close proximity to utility or telephone
infrastructure, campgrounds, roadsides, heritage sites, recreation areas, schools, and
other infrastructure. NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
Section 1.
The Pueblo City Council recognizes the importance of healthy forest
management and wildfire prevention.
Section 2
The Pueblo City Council supports H.R. 818, the Healthy Forest Management and
Wildfire Prevention Act.
INTRODUCED: April 8, 2013
BY: Eva Montoya
Background Paper for Proposed
RESOLUTION
DATE: AGENDA ITEM # Q-5
April 8, 2013
DEPARTMENT:
City Council
TITLE:
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HEALTHY FOREST MANAGEMENT AND
WILDFIRE PREVENTION ACT
ISSUE:
Should the City Council approve a Resolution supporting the Healthy Forest
Management and Wildfire Prevention Act?
RECOMMENDATION:
This Resolution is at the request of Council Members Ami Nawrocki and Ed Brown.
BACKGROUND:
This bill gives states the authority to identify areas afflicted by the bark beetle epidemic,
drought, deteriorating forest health conditions, and high risk of wildfires and to put in
place emergency hazardous fuels reduction projects to address those conditions. This
Resolution would demonstrate the Council’s support of H.R. 818 and efforts to have
healthy forest management and wildfire prevention.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.