HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-22 Endorsing Cascade-Siskiyou Monument Expansion
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING
CASCADE-SISKIYOU NATIONAL MONUMENT EXPANSION
RECITALS:
A. The Ashland City Council has, since 1985, consistently supported protection of land in the
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument area.
B. In 2001, the Ashland City Council unanimously resolved to affirm the June 9, 2000 Cascade-
Siskiyou National Monument proclamation as written, request the immediate release of the
Medford BLM Draft Management Plan for the Monument, and request that funding be made
available for the final plan.
C. The Council found in its 2001 resolution that the Monument contributes substantially to
Ashland's economy, enjoys broad support from Ashland citizens, businesses, and area
residents and provides "richness of recreational opportunities and scenic vistas for the
citizens of Ashland."
D. In April 2011, a diverse group of scientists recommended expansion of Monument
boundaries to safeguard the area's unique biological values. The scientists found current
Monument boundaries to be inadequate because of. fragmented habitats (including
incomplete watersheds); the need for more complete environmental gradients to increase
resilience in the face of significant climatic change; and increasing development and land use
pressures on adjoining lands that, if unabated, could undermine long-term persistence of the
Monument's biological resources. In 2015 many other professional scientists (locally and
nationally) have also endorsed the ecological need to expand Monument boundaries.
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The boundaries of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument should be expanded.
SECTION 2. We urge national elected officials to use the best available ecological criteria in
considering the Monument's present and future needs - as well as considering recreational
opportunities and scenic resources - as they determine appropriate expanded boundaries for the
Cascade- S iskiyou National Monument.
This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this day of
2015, a takes effect upon signing by the Mayor._.
r
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
Page 1 of 2
SIGNED and APPROVED this If. day of 20
io~h Stromberg, Mayor
Reviewe as to form:
David H. Lohman, City Attorney
Page 2 of 2