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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-23 15-120 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 15-120 Date: March 23, 2015 Item/Subject: Resolve, Supporting the Concept of a National Park and National Recreation Area As One Component of a Diversified Economy in the Katandin Region Responsible Department: City Council Commentary: If approved, this resolve will support the concept of a National Park and National Recreation Area as one component of a diversified economy in the Katandin Region. This item has been reviewed on several occasions including the pre -council meeting on March 9 and the BED meeting on March 17, 2015. The latest draft will be reviewed by the council on March 23rd at a pre - council workshop. Manager's Comments: Associated Information: Order Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for X Passage First Reading Referral Page _ of Department Head City Manager Finance Director City Solicitor Assigned to Faircloth CITY OF BANGOR 15-1.20 MARCH 23, 2015 RESOLVE, Supporting the Concept of a National Park and National Recreation Area As One Component of a Diversified Economy in the Katandin Region WHEREAS, the Bangor City Council respects the important economic and cultural relationships that closely tie the City and communities located in the Katandin Region; and WHEREAS, the one hundredth anniversary of the National Park Service is in 2016, providing a unique opportunity for creation of this new National Park and National Recreation Area; and WHEREAS, the Bangor City Council supports the ongoing effort to develop a new economic development vision and strategies in and beyond the Katandin Region that will provide important context for the evaluation of opportunities; and WHEREAS, Elliotsville Plantation Inc. has proposed to give up to 150,000 acres of land surrounding Baxter State Park to the federal government for the creation of Katandin Woods and Waters National Park and a National Recreation Area; and WHEREAS, it is important to support the diversification of the economy in the Greater Bangor and Katandin region, and the National Park and National Recreation Area could offer one component of economic diversification in the region, a region that also supports valued forest products and natural resource uses and activities; and WHEREAS, recent mill closures in the region including Millinocket, Bucksport, Old Town and others has made the need to act to create jobs for our region urgent; and WHEREAS, the proposed National Park and National Recreation Area could bring new jobs in the tourism, hospitality, and retail industries while preserving traditional forest products activities, natural resource uses, and recreation activities; and WHEREAS, two economic studies conducted in 2012 conclude that a North Woods National Park and National Recreation Area will lead to approximately 450 to 1,000 jobs in the region; and WHEREAS, the Bangor City Council urges all members of our congressional delegation and civic organizations to support the region's effort to develop strategies leading to economic diversification and to become actively engaged in discussions surrounding the proposed park; and WHEREAS, there is support for the creation of a North Woods National Park and National Recreation Area from the Town of Medway and the Katandin Area Chamber of Commerce; and IN CITY COUNCIL ='• MARCH 23, 2015 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE MOTION MADE AND SECONDED TO AMEND RESOLVE 15-120 BY SUBSTITUTION MOTION PASSED MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE AS AMENDED VOTE: 7-2 COUNCILORS VOTING YES: BALDACCI, BLANCHETTE, FAIRCLOTH, GRAHAM, PLOURDE, SPRAGUE, DURGIN COUNCILORS VOTING NO: CIVIELLO, NEALLEY PASSED AS AMENDED CITY CLERK 15-1.20 MARCH 23, 2015 WHEREAS, the citizens of Millinocket and East Millinocket are engaged in ongoing, consensus - building discussion, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT The City of Bangor supports the concept of a North Woods National Park and National Recreation Area while encouraging continued discussions within the communities immediately surrounding the proposed park and among communities in the entire region regarding continued economic diversification of the Greater Bangor and Katandin Regions. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT Lisa Goodwin, City Clerk, send a copy of this Resolve to all members of the State of Maine's Congressional delegation. AS AMENDED 15-120 MARCH 23, 2015 Assigned to Faircloth. CITY OF BANGOR RESOLVE, Supporting the Concept of a National Park and National Recreation Area As One Component of a Diversified Economy in the Katandin Region WHEREAS, the Bangor City Council respects the important economic and cultural.. relationships that closely tie the City and communities located in the Katandin Region; and WHEREAS, the one hundredth anniversary of the National Park Service is in 2016, providing a unique opportunity for creation of this new National Park and National Recreation Area; and WHEREAS, the Bangor City Council supports the ongoing effort to develop a new economic development vision and strategies in and beyond the Katandin Region that will provide important context for the evaluation of opportunities; and WHEREAS, Elliotsville Plantation Inc. has proposed to give up to 150,000 acres of land surrounding Baxter State Park to the federal government for the creation of a National Park and a National Recreation Area; and WHEREAS, it is important to support the diversification of the economy in the Greater Bangor and Katandin regions, and the National Park and National Recreation Area could offer one component of economic diversification in the regions, regions that also supports valued forest products and natural resource uses and activities; and WHEREAS, recent mill closures in the region including Millinocket, Bucksport, Old Town and others has made the need to act to create jobs for our region urgent; and WHEREAS, the proposed National Park and National Recreation Area could bring new jobs in the tourism, hospitality, and retail industries while preserving traditional forest prod ucts.activities, natural resource uses, and recreation activities; and WHEREAS, the Bangor City Council urges all members of our congressional delegation and civic organizations to support the region's effort to develop strategies leading to economic diversification and to become actively engaged in discussions surrounding the proposed park; and WHEREAS, there is support for the creation of a National Park and National Recreation Area from the Town of Medway and the Katandin Area Chamber of Commerce; and WHEREAS, the citizens.of Millinocket and East Millinocket are engaged in ongoing, consensus - building discussion, 15-120. . MARCH 23, 2015 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT The City of Bangor supports the concept of a National Park and National Recreation Area while encouraging continued discussions within the communities immediately surrounding the proposed park and among communities in the entire region regarding continued economic diversification of the Greater Bangor and Katandin Regions. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT Lisa Goodwin, City Clerk, send a copy of this Resolve to all members of the State of Maine's Congressional delegation.