HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090657RESOLUTION
RE: EXPRESSION OF CONCERN REGARDING PRESCRIBED BURNS IN PAWNEE
NATIONAL GRASSLANDS AND REQUEST TO ELIMINATE SUCH BURNS OR
POSTPONE UNTIL MORE FAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXIST
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Forest Service ("the USFS") is planning to burn approximately 3,000
acres on the Pawnee National Grassland, starting as soon as March 17 and continuing thereafter
for a number of weeks, and
WHEREAS, the USFS intends to conduct the burns when "conditions are favorable,"
meaning when moisture in the soil, weather, smoke dispersal, and staffing allows, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners is concerned about the possible dangers
of such prescribed burns, because the dry conditions in northeastern Colorado have created an
extreme fire danger, and
WHEREAS, because of the current conditions, and based upon the experience with the
out -of -control prescribed burn of March 11, 2005, the Board wishes to express its concern
regarding the planned prescribed burns and requests that the Forest Service either cancel the
burns for this year, or, at a minimum, wait until such time as weather conditions become more
favorable for the successful containment of the prescribed burns, when the strong winds
northeastern Colorado has been experiencing recently are at "near normal" conditions, and when
soil moisture has increased substantially, and
WHEREAS, the Board also requests that before commencing the burns, the Forest Service
receive a "second opinion" regarding the advisability of conducting prescribed burns from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Greeley Field Office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that it hereby expresses its concern regarding the planned prescribed burns on
the Pawnee National Grassland and requests that the U.S. Forest Service either cancel the burns
for this year, or, at a minimum, wait until such time as weather conditions become more favorable
for the successful containment of the prescribed burns, when the strong winds northeastern
Colorado has been experiencing recently are at "near normal" conditions, and when soil moisture
has increased substantially.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that it hereby requests that before commencing
the burns, the Forest Service receive a "second opinion" regarding the advisability of conducting
prescribed burns from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service,
Greeley Field Office.
2009-0657
BC0040
RE: EXPRESSION OF CONCERN REGARDING PRESCRIBED BURNS IN PAW NEE NATIONAL
GRASSLANDS AND REQUEST TO ELIMINATE SUCH BURNS OR POSTPONE UNTIL MORE
FAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXIST
PAGE 2
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by
the following vote on the 16th day of March, A.D., 2009.
BOARD OF s NTY COMMISSIONERS
WELUI • : T , COLORADO
ATTEST:
m F. Garcia, Chairman
Weld County Clerk to the Bo
gl.. Rademach r, Pro -Tern
BY-
Deputydlerk to the Board
Sea P. Conway
APP
a Kirkmeyer1
ROV AS RM:
ounty Attorney
David E. Long
Date of signature. 3//6,/c7
2009-0657
BC0040
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