HomeMy WebLinkAbout961 - EXPRESSING opposition to a proposal to relocate two federal laboratories from Boulder to NormaRESOLUTION NO. 961
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING RELOCATION OF NOAA/NIST
FEDERAL LABORATORIES OR PROGRAMS FROM BOULDER, COLORADO
WHEREAS, the City of Boulder has been home to the Federal Laboratories of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) since 1954; and
WHEREAS, in 1950, Boulder residents raised the $63,000 necessary to purchase the land in
south Boulder on which the Federal Laboratories are located - a significant gift from the
community intended to ensure the labs would be built here; and
WHEREAS, the NOAA and NIST laboratories employ over 1,500 people in Boulder, and we
highly value the scientific contributions of these individuals, as well as the economic impact their
presence has on our community. A recent study by the University of Colorado estimated this
economic impact to be $340 million over five years; and
WHEREAS, these institutions work closely with scientific reseazchers from the National Center
for Ahnospheric Research in Boulder, the University of Colorado in Boulder and Colorado State
University in neazby Ft. Collins, and the federal agencies located at the Federal Center in
Lakewood, and this synergy of scientific knowledge is found nowhere else in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, a suggested relocation of existing NOAA programs from Boulder, Colorado, to
another state would result in a loss of 300 jobs locally with a direct impact estimated at $30
million on the city and state economy and an indirect impact of $90 million; and
WHEREAS, the potential loss of these scientists would negatively impact the synergistic
relationship between the Federal Laboratories, Colorado universities and the federal agencies in
Lakewood; and
WHEREAS, the relocation of these programs is opposed by NOAA as well as all members of the
Colorado Congressional delegation because the cost of relocation would be high and no adequate
justification for a move has been provided; and
WHEREAS, the City of Boulder has consistently supported funding for Federal Laboratories in
Boulder through legislative agendas formally adopted by City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BOULDER:
The City of Boulder recognizes the important economic contributions of the Federal Laboratories
and NOAA/NIST employees on our community, as well as the vital scientific contributions they
have made for the entire nation.
The City of Boulder opposes the relocation of any Federal Laboratories or programs from
Boulder.
The City of Boulder will work cooperatively with officials from NOAA/I`lIST, the University of
Colorado, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Colorado State University, our
Congressional delegation and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce against any effort to relocate
the labs or their p`rogram1s.- /}~
Approved this l ~ V ` day of lJ~~_, 2004.
M~~~
Mayor
ATTEST:
City erk on behal of the
Director of Finance and Record