Georgetown Idaho

RESOLUTION # 002-2009

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, IDAHO RECOGNIZING THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE; BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, OF THE PROPOSED BLACKFOOT BRIDGE MINE.

Whereas, mining and processing phosphate ore into elemental phosphorus supports a significant portion of the Georgetown community, with as many as 14 households employed by Monsanto Company and 13 others employed as contractors in different aspects of the mining and manufacturing process;

Whereas, this elemental phosphorus is a building block for many vital products used in society, including water treatments, fire retardants, and in particular, Roundup brand herbicides;

Whereas, 3% of the workforce employed at Monsanto’s elemental phosphorus facilities call Georgetown home;

Whereas, large acreages of wildlife habitats have benefited from restoration and enhancement conducted by Monsanto in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Foundation, North American Moose Foundation, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Pheasants Forever;

Whereas, federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations and conservation groups have honored Monsanto for high standards of ecological restoration at past mines;

Whereas, Monsanto has made and continues to make significant investments to advance scientific understanding and practice in mining while protecting water quality and the health of ecosystems; and

Whereas, a range of federal and state agencies have worked with Monsanto over the past four years to evaluate technologies, gather and understand environmental data, and thoroughly review potential impacts, resulting in a proposed Blackfoot Bridge Mine that will support ongoing elemental phosphorus production while preserving Blackfoot River water quality, wildlife habitat, and ecological diversity.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Georgetown, a political subdivision of the State of Idaho, that opening of the Blackfoot Bridge Mine be supported, consistent with environmental safeguards provided in the preferred alternative of its Environmental Impact Statement, after a thorough and open process for public comment and such modifications as necessary to address legitimate concerns raised; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the citizens of Georgetown are encouraged to participate in this public comment process, and the City reserves its right to protect the interests of the community and its citizens in the face of legal challenges to the process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that this position be made known to the Governor of Idaho, and the Delegation representing Idaho in the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Bear Lake County, Idaho, this 4 day of August, 2009.

_________________________________________

Albert K. Johnson, Mayor

ATTEST:___________________________________

Marty Nate, City Clerk