HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-22 Public Comment - Cottonwood Environmental Law Center and Bozeman Community Co-op Food - Supporting Resolution 5470From:Isaac Cheek
To:Agenda
Subject:Public Comment for Commission Meeting 12/20/2022
Date:Tuesday, December 20, 2022 11:48:58 AM
Attachments:Bozeman Plastics Co-op Letter for Commission.pdf
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Hello City Commissioners,
I have attached a letter from Cottonwood Environmental Law Center and the Bozeman Food Co-opin support of resolution 5470.
Thanks for your time,
Isaac CheekGrassroots Conservation CoordinatorCottonwood Environmental Law Center(847) 977-8392
City of Bozeman City Commission
121 N. Rouse Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
We are writing to you today because we share your belief that sustainability and resilience must be woven into
our city’s policies. Your water conservation and climate plans have put Bozeman at the forefront of
environmental protection in the state of Montana, and it has inspired us to pursue more sustainable practices
in the way we operate our business and organization. It is in this spirit of visionary change that we ask you to
embrace a bold new policy on plastic waste in the City of Bozeman.
We the undersigned request that you adopt the Bozeman Plastics Resolution to protect Montanan’s
constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. When the City adopts the Bozeman Plastics
Resolution, you will be declaring your support for legislation by the 2023 Montana Legislature to a.) ban
certain single use plastics or b.) restore the power to local governments to do so. The Bozeman Plastics
Resolution will also state your intention to implement a ban on certain single-use plastics once local power is
restored.
This resolution is in response to House Bill 407, which was passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature and
revoked the power of local governments to perform their constitutional duty to maintain and improve a clean
and healthful environment by regulating certain single use plastics. By taking this power away from localities
like the City of Bozeman, the Legislature shifted the responsibility to address the plastic issue to the State.
The State has failed to act on this issue. Therefore, it is time for power to be restored to local government by
repealing House Bill 407.
Cities and towns across the United States – from Anchorage, Alaska, to Santa Fe, New Mexico – have taken
action to limit plastic pollution in their communities. We believe that it is time for Bozeman to do the same.
Our town is growing at unprecedented rates, and limiting single-use plastics is paramount to ensuring a clean
and healthy home for future generations.
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person to show you how we can work together to
implement this goal. We are excited to work with you to create a more sustainable Bozeman.
Thank you very much for your time, consideration, and your leadership.
Sincerely,