HomeMy WebLinkAboutR05-042 Lynx Habitat Protection - White River National Forest
Commissioner ~ moved adoption of the following:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
Resolution No. 2005 - Y ~
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE
INCLUSION OF LYNX HABITAT PROTECTIONS IN THE REVISED WHITE RIVER
NATIONAL FOREST LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND IN
OPPOSITION TO DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY TENNY'S ORDERS TO
ELIMINATE THOSE PROTECTIONS
WHEREAS, Eagle County, Colorado ("County") is a political subdivision ofthe State of
Colorado, duly organized and existing pursuant to the laws and the Constitution of the State; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 the White River National Forest adopted the revised White River
National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan after an extensive public process
and analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Plan Revision process took over five (5) years, involved
numerous public meetings, and generated over 14,000 public comments; and
WHEREAS, as required by law, the White River National Forest engaged in formal
consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which resulted in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service stating that the revised plan would not harm lynx because the White River National
Forest agreed to follow the standards in a document called the Lynx Conservation Assessment
and Strategy; and
WHEREAS, these provisions were included in the revised Forest Plan and survived the
entire public process, including Appeals decided on by the Chief of the Forest Service; and
WHEREAS, since 1999, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has undertaken a widely
popular and successful Canada lynx reintroduction program that has resulted in the
reestablishment of breeding populations of lynx in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, data from radio collars worn by the reintroduced lynx demonstrate that they
are extensively using and occupying habitat on the White River National Forest; and
WHEREAS, on December 2, 2004, Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture Tenny issued
a Discretionary Review Decision on the Chief s Appeal Decision regarding the White River
National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, disagreeing with the scientists'
conclusion that lynx occupy the White River National Forest and ordering the White River
National Forest to eliminate language from the plan that protects lynx and their habitat. This
language came from the Canada Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy, and thus was part
1
of the agreement between the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Deputy
Undersecretary Tenny's decision also limited the application of other measures for protection of
lynx; and
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2005, the White River National Forest proposed
amendments to the 2002 Revised Forest Plan eliminating the lynx protection standards as
ordered by the Deputy Undersecretary's decision.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO:
THAT, the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") hereby acknowledges that the
Board supports the existing lynx standards in the White River National Forest Revised Land and
Resource Management Plan and the Board stands in opposition to Deputy Undersecretary of
Agriculture Tenny's Discretionary Review Decision and to the Forest Service's proposed
amendments to the Forest Plan that reduce protections for the lynx habitat.
THAT, any actions taken by the County are strictly voluntary and signing this Resolution
demonstrates the County's support, but shall in no way bind the County to any particular action.
THAT, the Board finds, determines and declares that this Resolution is necessary for the
public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado.
MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners ofthe
County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting, held this ~ day of April,
2005.
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
COLORADO, by and through its
C;j~: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
T J. Simonton, Clerk to e
Board of County Commissioners
By:
Commissioner
2
Commissioner ~ seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll
having been called, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Am M. Menconi ~
Commissioner Peter F. Runyon
Commissioner Tom C. Stone ~
This Resolution passed by ~,-(J vote of the Board of County Commissioners
of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado.
3