HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-27 Value of State LandsRESOLUTION NO. 27
Series of 2016
A RESOLUTION STATING THE VALUE OF PUBLIC LANDS TO THE TOWN OF
VAIL'S ECONOMY, RECREATION, HERITAGE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE, AND
SUPPORTING CONTINUED FEDERAL OWNERSHIP OF FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS,
AND SETTING FORTH DETAILS IN REGARD THERETO.
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail in the County of Eagle and State of Colorado is a
home rule municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the laws and of the
State of Colorado and the Town Charter; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail and land adjacent to the town contain a wealth of
scenic, wild, and natural landscapes including mountains, rivers, forests, creeks, and
lakes; and
WHEREAS, public lands under the management of federal agencies, including
the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, currently comprise
seventy-eight (78) percent of land in Eagle County; and
WHEREAS, these federal administered public lands are essential to the quality of
life in the Town of Vail and Eagle County, providing extensive public recreational
opportunities for wildlife watching, hiking, hunting, fishing, backpacking, sport shooting,
horseback riding, skiing, bicycling, sightseeing and numerous other outdoor recreational
activities; and
WHEREAS, these same federally administered public lands provide essential
habitat for fish and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail's attraction to businesses, employers, quality
employees, and the guests who are a significant component of our economy
overwhelmingly flows from the high quality of life arising out of the expansive wild
landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities available on surrounding federally
managed public lands; and
WHEREAS, federal public land management agencies directly and indirectly
employ many full-time residents of Eagle County, contributing significantly to the fiscal
and social health of the county; and
WHEREAS, these federal lands are held in trust for the benefit of all Americans
and people throughout the country value federal public lands as a distinctly prideful part
of our national heritage, no matter in which state we reside; and
WHEREAS, management of federally administered public lands by the U.S.
Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management in compliance with federal law
best protects the national value and utility of the public lands for all Americans and the
values on which the economy in the Town of Vail are dependent; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail created an Open Space Program and has invested
significant funds from that program in the conservation of lands for the benefit of
residents and guests; and
Resolution No. 9, Series of 2016 Page 1 of 2
WHEREAS, federal funds, manpower, aircraft and other specialized fire
prevention and firefighting assets are essential to protecting our communities,
infrastructure, and public lands are unavailable at the state and county levels and due to
recent drought and insect infestations, forests in Eagle County could be prone to wildfire;
and
WHEREAS, federally administered public lands contain headwaters that provide
clean water for municipal water supplies, fisheries and ranching integral to the County's
economy quality of life and public welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Vail Town Council recognizes that rare circumstances may
warrant the limited transfer of federal public lands under the Recreation and Public
Purposes Act:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO:
THAT, the Vail Town Council strongly supports continued federal land
ownership and management in the town of Vail and Eagle County, and the
irreplaceable value these public lands bring to our county's economy, recreation,
environment, heritage and quality of life.
THAT, the Vail Town Council commends the dedicated federal
employees who manage America's public lands in Eagle County, as well as the
dedicated employees of the State of Colorado who manage fish, wildlife, and
forests in the region, in partnership with the federal public land managers.
INTRODUCED, READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16h day of August
2016.
David Chapin,'
ATTEST:
(---) 1`-�
a .ems i
Patty McKenny rk /
1
r,
93"
of Vail
Resolution No. 9, Series of 2016 Page 2 of 2