Alliance for Sustainability

Eco-municipality resolutions adopted by the Cities of Washburn and Ashland, WI

RESOLUTION #05-021

City of Washburn, Wisconsin

Adoption of Sustainable Community Development Policy

WHEREAS, in the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth´s crust, because human society mines and brings into use substances from below the Earth´s surface, that along with their emissions are steadily accumulating at levels far greater than their natural occurrence and cannot break down further; and,

WHEREAS, in the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances produced by society, because human society has been manufacturing synthetic substances faster than these materials can be broken down, and,

WHEREAS, in the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing degradation by physical means, because human activity is breaking down natural systems-land, water, forests, soil, ecosystems-by depletion and destruction faster than these natural systems can renew themselves; and,

WHEREAS, in the sustainable society, human needs are met wordwide, because if people around the world cannot meet basic human needs-air, water, food, shelter, means of livelihood, mobility, equal treatment, equal access, safety, participation in decisions that affect our lives, the right to peaceful enjoyment of life, a connection with nature, and psychological and spiritual connection and meaning-then this inequality will continually undermine the goals identified above; and,

WHEREAS, by endorsing sustainable community development, The City of Washburn is joining an international network of eco-municipalities, and taking the initiative to become one of the first four eco-municipalities in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Washburn has a pledge of support through mentorship and consulting from The National Association of Swedish Eco-Municipalities;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The City of Washburn hereby endorses the principles of sustainable community development, as proposed in The Natural Step Program, and agrees to apply these principles in its planning, policy making, and municipal practices.

Adopted by the Common Council for the City of Washburn, Wisconsin this 11th Day of July, 2005.

Irene Blakely, Mayor

RESOLUTION # _____________

City of Ashland, Wisconsin

Eco-Municipality Designation Resolution

Adoption of Sustainable Community Development Policy

WHEREAS, the City of Ashland has adopted a Comprehensive Plan (2004 - 2024) that calls for "The Making of an Exceptional City", and includes dozens of references to sustainable practices; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of the four systems conditions of the Natural Step can provide a framework that will assist city employees and elected officials in moving in a more sustainable direction; and

WHEREAS, the willingness of the city to move in the direction of becoming an eco-municipality can serve as a model for others and encourage economic development along similar lines in our city and region; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Ashland has a pledge of support through mentorship and consulting from The National Association of Swedish Eco-Municipalities; and

WHEREAS, the following four guidelines were developed by the American Planning Association to help communities implement sustainable practices:

1. Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, and extracted underground metals and minerals.
2. Reduce dependence on chemicals and other manufactured substances that can accumulate in Nature.
3. Reduce dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems.
4. Meet the hierarchy of present and future human needs fairly and efficiently.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The City of Ashland hereby endorses the principles of sustainable community development described herein, and agrees to apply these principles whenever possible in its planning, policy making, and municipal practices.

Adopted by the City Council of Ashland, Wisconsin this 13th day of September, 2005

Fred Schnook, Mayor

Attorney

City Clerk

RESOLUTION #360

City of Bayfield, Bayfield County – Wisconsin

A Resolution: A Commitment to Sustainability in the City of Bayfield

WHEREAS, The City of Bayfield acknowledges that the people of Bayfield, Wisconsin desire to create a stable, sustainable future and acknowledge that such a future is not certain. We recognize that it will take the goodwill and determined work of individuals and communities around the world to achieve this goal. We wish be part of this international network and declare sustainability to be a goal of the City. We wish to integrate our economy, environment, society and governance in ways that foster vibrant social and economic conditions necessary for a sustainable future. By seeking innovation and flexible solutions to the challenges that confronts us, by sharing our knowledge, and by coordinating our actions, we strive to:

1. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to the progressive build-up of materials (and their associated wastes) that are extracted from the Earth's crust.
2. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to the progressive build-up of synthetic materials produced by human society.
3. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to the ongoing physical degradation of the Earth.
4. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to conditions that undermine people's ability to meet their basic needs

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bayfield declares its commitment to sustainability as outlined above.

Adopted this 13th day of December in the year 2006 and signed.

Larry MacDonald, Mayor

Joe Lievois – Councilor from District 1

Tom McMullin – Councilor from District 2

Eric Fredenberg – Councilor from District 3

Mark Musolf – Councilor from District 4

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly and legally adopted by the CITY OF BAYFIELD at a regular meeting held on the 13th day of December in the year 2006.

Billie Hoopman, Clerk