Referred to: The Energy and Environment Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Bruno, Criswell, Petit, and Wawro), and The Public Works and Capital Projects Committee (Chairman Fabiano and Legislators Cahill, Greene, Heppner, and Litts)

Legislators Eve Walter and Peter Criswell offer the following:

WHEREAS, in August 2021, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a comprehensive report entitled “Climate Change 2021: A Physical Science Basis” which unequivocally concludes that human activities caused widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere which may result in irreversible climate change and consequential destruction of the natural environment; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Charter Section C-11, the Ulster County Legislature is the policy determining body of the County; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature deems it necessary and appropriate to implement policies that minimize the impact of human activities upon the natural environment; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature deems it necessary and appropriate to require that an Environmental Considerations Checklist (ECC), annexed and incorporated hereto as Exhibit “A”, be completed by qualified professionals prior to the time at which a Resolution is submitted to the Ulster County Legislature seeking to establish a Capital Project, so that the environmental impact of such project(s) is known and considered; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that an Environmental Considerations Checklist, (“ECC”), annexed and incorporated hereto as Exhibit “A”, shall be completed prior to the submission of any Resolution to the Ulster County Legislature seeking to create a Capital Project, so that the environmental impact of such project(s) may be considered by the Ulster County Legislature; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of the ECC shall be delivered to the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature and the Chairperson of the Energy and Environment Committee at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing of the Resolution establishing each individual Capital Project,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:     

Passed Committee: Energy and Environment on ______________.

Passed Committee: Public Works and Capital Projects on ______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE