3. Whitefish Request - Active Forest ManagementRESOLUTION NO. 03- 33
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. OF THE CITY OF WHITEFISH, MONTANA,
REQUESTING ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN THE STATE AND NATIONAL PUBLIC
LANDS SURROUNDING THE WHITEFISH COMMUNITY.
Whereas the City Council has legitimate concern about the threat of forest fires, both existing
and potential, in close proximity to the City of Whitefish; and
Whereas the citizens of Whitefish are affected by compromised health, economic loss, lack
of ability to use recreational areas, and general displeasure due to the current raging wildfires
on public lands; and
Whereas the citizens of Whitefish recognize the death of animals, loss of animal habitat, loss
of plants and trees and their environmental benefit, potential for erosion into lakes and
streams, and the huge economic burden on taxpayers as a result of wildfires on public lands:
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, as
follows:
Section 1: That all the recitals set forth above are hereby adopted as Findings of Fact.
Section 2: The City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana hereby urges our State and
Federal Forest agencies to pursue to the strongest possible extent the following
management practices, which shall include, but not be limited to:
1. An active management strategy as opposed to passive management.
2- Environmentally responsible logging (thinning) of trees and clearing of deadfall
as a preventive method.
3. Aggressive firefighting and containment immediately upon commencement of
any wildfire.
4. Controlled burns when advised by forest managers.
5. Quick and efficient logging operations in all burned areas following a wildfire in
order to minimize damage to a valuable natural resource (lumber), to provide
jobs in our local timber industry, and to allow the public to return to recreational
activities as soon as possible.
Section 3: The City of Whitefish shall send a copy of this resolution to all state and federal
forest agency directors.
Section 4: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council,
and signing by the Mayor thereof.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITEFISH,
MONTANA, ON THIS 2ND DAY OF 5EPTEMB A -- __._, 2003_
ATTEST: MXYOR ANDY FEURY
N CILE LORANG, C ITY CLE=
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