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F \EPWM\ADMIN\WPDOCS\STAFFRPT\WOODPRO SEP - 81998
Council Meeting September 8, 1998 Santa Momca, Callforma
TO Mayor and CIty Council
FROM City Staff
SUBJECT. Recommendation to Direct the City Attorney to ModIfy City Ordinance
2 28 030 to Allow the Purchase of CertifIed TropIcal Hardwoods and OJd-
Growth Temperate Rainforest Species If Certified by a Forest
StewardshIp CouncIl AccredIted Agency
INTRODUCTION
ThIs report requests that CIty CouncIl dIrect the CIty Attorney to modify City Ordinance
2 28 030 to allow the purchase of certifIed tropIcal hardwoods and regulate the
purchase of certified old-growth temperate rainforest specIes Certification would be
provided by a Forest Stewardship Council accredited agency
BACKGROUND
In 1990, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2 28 030 prohlbltlng the purchase or use
of tropical hardwoods The marketplace has responded to the purchasing bans by
cleanng tropical rainforests to Institute more lucrative cash crop agnculture, defeating
the City's conservation goal of protectlng ecosystems The City's current ordinance
does not address old-growth temperate rainforests Amendment of Ordinance 2 28 030
will regulate purchase of both types of wood
DISCUSSION
Both tropical and old-growth temperate rainforests are endangered ecosystems as a
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SEP - 8 1998
result of unsustainable logging operations In the Southern and Northern hemispheres
For example, large-scale clear-cutting practices have reduced old-growth trees to five
percent of the remaining Northwest temperate rainforests It IS cntlcal to retain both
types of rainforests In order to proVide Important wildlife habitat, genetic plant and
ammal diverSity, atmosphenc recycling of carbon diOXide to counter the greenhouse
effect, and economic and cultural value to the surrounding communities
Sustainable forestry practices reduce the pressure on ecosystems International
sustalnablllty standards have been set by the Forest Stewardship CounCil (FSC), a
highly respected International organization with representation from the tlmber Industry,
wood product dlstnbutors, non-governmental organizations and local commUnities
The FSC acts as a reliable third-party accreditation organization It IS recommended
that the City amend Ordinance 2 28 030 to allow the purchase of tropical and old
growth temperate rainforest woods, but only If certified by an FSC-accredlted agency
and to purchase non-threatened species of wood or wood products whenever pOSSible
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
There IS no budget Impact from restricting the purchase of tropical and old-growth
temperate rainforest wood and wood products to those certIfIed by an FSC-accredlted
agency The City currently uses lIttle, If any, of these products and contemplates no
Increase In usage
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RECOMMENDATION
It IS recommended that the City Council authorize the CIty Manager to amend CIty
Ordinance 2 28 030 to allow the purchase of tropical hardwoods and old-growth
temperate rainforest species If certified by an FSC-accredlted agency
Prepared by Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works
Management
Susan Munves. Conservation Coordinator
Melissa Cole, Environmental Analyst
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