HomeMy WebLinkAbout949 - REGARDING urging the Bush Administration to rescind the "Guidance" document to the Clean WaterBoulder City Council
RESOLUTION NO 949
A RESOLUTION IN URGING THE BUSH ADNII1vISTRATION TO RESCIND THE
"GUIDANCE" DOCUMENT TO THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND THAT THE
"GUIDANCE" DOCUMENT BE SUBNIITTED FOR PUBLIC AND LEGAL REVIEW
TO ENSURE THAT IT IS LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE PRIOR TO ITS
IMPLEMENTATION
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act passed by Congress m 1972 and subsequenUy reauthonzed by
the Congress since 1972 has been one of the most effechve pieces of envuonmental and public
health legislat~on ever passed by the Congress to clean up and protect the quahty of the natron's
water ways and water bodtes; and
WHEREAS, clean and safe dnnking water for the City of Boulder and the communities rt
supplies depends on headwaters of Boulder Creek that start as wetlands, nwlets, and small
streams fed by runoff and snowmelt that may be dry for a portion of the yeaz, and
WHEREAS, these weUands and small stream tributanes to Boulder's drinku-g water aze
wlnerable to pollution and contamination from abandoned mmes, agriculture runoff and
sediment from development and wildfires; and
WHEREAS, the Bush Admimstration has pubhcly stated that it has decided not to implement
the proposed rule change to the Clean Water Act wluch appeazed m the Januazy 15, 2003
"Federal Register" as an"Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemakmg" for the Clean Water Act;
and
WHEREAS, President Bush confirmed his support for wetlands protect~on on Earth Day, Apnl
22, 2004; and
WHEREAS, the original mtent of the Clean Water Act, wtuch was to protect all the nariods
waters, cannot be met unless the "Guidance" document is legally enforceable as to the CWA
~unsdicUOn.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BOULDER,COLORADO,THAT:
The Boulder City Council muntams the Clean Water Act should be managed and fully enforced
The Boulder City Council believes that portions of the "Guidance" may not be legally
enforceable because of the Adnumstration's decision not to implement the proposed rule change
to the Clean Water Act.
The Boulder City Council strongly urges that the companion "Guidance" document to the
proposed rule to the Clean Water Act be rescinded by the Bush Adrmmstration and that the
"Guidance" Document be submitted for public and legal review to ensure that it is legally
enforceable prior to its implementation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, copies of this resolution will be sent to the White
House, the U S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Congressman
Mark Udall, U.S. Senators Wayne Allazd and Ben Nighthorse Campbell, and any other interested
parties.
RESOLVED this first day of June, 2004
~~iLlf J ~"
Mayor
Attest:
!~
City Clerk on behalf of the
Director of Finance and Record