AGRICULTURE,PUBLICLANDS and NATURAL RESOURCES in Review Process

ACTION 22, INC.

“Positions and Stands”

As of April 26, 2010

“Positions and Stands” is an abbreviated list of position statements taken by Action 22 Board of Directors. The list is basically divided by Action 22 Committees.

AGRICULTURE,PUBLICLANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES – In review process

Supports the designation of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site as a unit of the National Park Service and that just and equitable compensation be given to willing sellers and lessors. (00-03 NR 1)
Supports the re-designation of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument as a national park to preserve this rare and beautiful geological site as well as the important ecological area surrounding the Sand Dunes for the benefit of present and future generations of citizens of the SanLuisValley, of Southern Colorado, the State of Colorado and the United States. (00-03 NR 2)
Desires a re-evaluation of criteria for allowing the controlled burning of federal and public lands. (00-06 NR 3)
Supports legislation directing the Colorado Division of Wildlife to implement a youth hunting program to continue the great tradition of hunting. (01-02 NR 4)
Opposes any effort to weaken or restrict counties “1041” land use powers for regulating development, including laws giving local government “standing” to sue each other. ((01-02 NR 5)
Opposes proposals to abolish the U.S. Geological Survey. (01-02 NR 6)
Supports efforts to increase funding of predator control programs, and opposes all efforts to ban trapping and other legitimate predator control in Colorado. (01-02 NR 7)
Supports re-authorization of the Endangered Species Act, with amendments: to subject findings to the same reviews and appeals as other federal agency decisions, to subject findings to scientific peer review, to analyze the economic impact of decisions, and to require an advanced definition of recovery with specific goals.

(01-02 NR 8)

Supports Section 208 of the EPA Regional Haze Rule, which protects Class I Park and Wilderness areas without negatively impacting the southern Colorado economy. (01-02 NR 9)
Supports better protection and/or compensation for surface estate owners impacted by energy production. (01-02 NR 10)
Supports the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Management Strategic Plan. (01-09 NR 11)
Supports statutory amendments affecting the taxation of possessory interests from a declining method to equal yearly lease amounts. (02-09 NR 12)
Urges the leadership of the Federal and State Agriculture and Rural Affairs and its Rural Action Caucus to aid farmers and rural agricultural counties by pushing for price supports and other subsidies for hay and alfalfa crops. (00-03 AG 1)
Supports the Tamarisk Coalition to control the growth and spread of the Tamarisk plant and the Coalition’s mission to restore riparian lands. (01-09 AG 2)
Supports a state procurement preference for Colorado producers of agricultural products and urges Coloradans, its businesses and entities to buy Colorado products first. (02-02 AG 3)
Supports the establishment and funding of an independent commission to review current laws to determine if there are limitations and/or obstacles to the growth and economy of the agricultural industry (02-02 AG 4).
Supports proposed proprietary technology for Summitville Mine Clean up. (05-08 AG 7)
Supports effective forest management. (06-04 AG-EC 8)
Supports Safe Use of Hazardous Chemicals for Industrial Purposes (06-08 AG-EC 11)
Future of Agriculture Resolution: that Action 22
Supports the concept of a willing seller and a willing buyer and not eminent domain in acquiring agricultural lands.
Supports placing priorities on water or property that enhances, not diminishes, the ability to produce food and food products in the agricultural industry.
Supports proposals which enhance the economics of agriculture, including incentives for value-added production and ways to assist young entrepreneurs pursuing careers in production agriculture.
Supports programs for voluntary preservation of agricultural land and water in exchange for financial incentives.
Supports programs and partnerships that reward stewardship.
Believes that state and federal income tax credits should be extended to businesses whose activities protect agricultural lands and their productivity.
Supports voluntary agricultural enterprise zones so long as all affected property owners and the affected county government agree to the zone’s creation.
Supports programs that develop and sustain renewable energy resources from agricultural properties.

(08-01 AG 10)

BUSINESS AFFAIRS

The role of the Office of Economic Development is to facilitate, support, foster and accommodate local economic development efforts and ACTION 22 requests and encourages the Office of Economic Development to be responsive to economic development initiatives as defined by local communities.
Supports replacing the use of “county average wage” to a percentage of minimum wage or another formula to allow more county areas the opportunity to participate in the economic development incentive programs.
Supports wage-based eligibility criteria of economic development incentive programs that takes into consideration the income disparity between rural and urban communities.
Supports the preservation of the existing Colorado Peace Act.Colorado has had a unique and effective environment that balances the interests of labor and business as embodied in the “Colorado Labor Peace Act” of 1943, which has served business, labor and residents of Colorado very well for over 65 years.
Supports maintaining Enterprise Zones and enhanced Enterprise Zone benefits in rural and distressed areas where development is desired by the local community.
Supports simplifying the administration and operation of an enterprise zone.

Supports more venture capital for job creation in Colorado.

Support the continuation of state investment and facilities in the Action 22 area.
Supports increased funding for the Colorado First Program, the community college system as the delivery mechanism, and equitable distribution of funds between urban and rural communities.
Support local land use management and growth control and opposes statewide mandates on growth policy.
Supports growth legislation that
Reflects the differences and needs of rural and urban areas in any land use classification system or master plan.
Recognizes the unique needs of agriculture including agricultural operations.
Reflects the appropriate management and utilization of water capacity and all natural resources.
Recognizes the needs of energy development and delivery systems to service growth areas.
Reflects that any proposed land use classification system guarantee full recourse for any takings and provide for just compensation.
Contains the provision that all land classification actions be done at the local government level.
Provides that the voters of each county shall have the option of adopting or rejecting the growth legislation for their county.
Includes a housing element that promotes inclusive communities and addresses the following standards:
Assess the economic and demographic characteristics of the jurisdiction’s existing and planned population,
Achieve a balance between new jobs and housing, evidencing how it will provide for housing that is available to accommodate the income of workers anticipated to fill the jobs in the respective jurisdiction,
Address how the plan will provide for the housing needs of all income levels, including households with moderate, low, very low incomes and those with special needs.
Promote the dedication of land and/or financial resources for development or preservation of multi-family rental housing that is affordable to households with moderate, low and very low incomes and those with special needs.

Supports the reform of the federal Universal Service Fund to achieve a stabilized and sustainable funding mechanism, reduce waste and modernize the program to enable broadband and advanced services in un-served and underserved areas of rural America and in particular those rural communities in Southern Colorado.
Recommends that the Federal Communications Commission limit the growth in high-cost universal support for CETCs, provide for broadband and wireless voice services deployment to un-served and underserved areas, as part of the development of a clearly-defined broadband universal service program.
Supports the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission to develop a strategy for the funding of broadband in un-served and underserved areas and to examine the respective definitions of “broadband” and what constitutes an “un-served area” and “underserved area”. These definitions will provide direction for measuring the success of a broadband funding program and for determining clear goals and standards to guide the management of USF programs.

Revised and approved by Board of Directors April 24, 2009

TELECOMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES

Action 22, Club 20 and Progressive 15.

Global competition today requires a major shift in planning for Colorado’s future competitiveness. Availability and accessibility of telecommunications services is an essential part of the equation, not only for economic development but to the quality of life of all Coloradans. By developing our

telecommunications assets, we design our future, enhancing economic development, health care,

education, government and other sectors of our global community.

Telecommunications infrastructure and capacity development is a complex task and must be ongoing

with communities offering creative solutions. These principles are the basis of discussions and are

designed to assist policy makers in enhancing Colorado’s telecommunications Infrastructure.

#1 Affordable, quality, widely available access to advanced telecommunications services and

broadband service is important to the present and future viability of Colorado communities, businesses and residents.

#2 The proper role for local government is to serve as demand aggregator and facilitator for

the deployment of advanced broadband networks in partnership with the private sector in partnership with the private sector.

#3 Competition in the free market is generally recognized as beneficial for consumers, but there are markets that – due to factors of distance, density and terrain – may not lend themselves to the development of competition. In those areas, it is a proper role for local interests to work together to generate creative solutions to broadband access needs and encourage future competitive alternatives.

#4 Policies that create options for local solutions to advanced service and broadband technology needs should be supported, as long as those policies provide for local determination and encourages private sector involvement. This may include legislative action for the creation of rural information technology authorities, complete with bonding capacity.

#5 Establish a funding mechanism to provide hard-to-find capital investment in the advanced infrastructure that broadband access often requires in rural areas.

#6 Any community approach to providing incentives to the private sector for infrastructure development should ensure that access is available to all sectors of the community – government, schools, libraries,

hospitals/medical clinics, non-profits, main street businesses and residents, alike.

#7 The State should explore potential funding options and roles for encouraging the provision of seamless, statewide coverage of wireless services to ensure public safety and homeland security.

#8 If necessary, the State should explore the use of incentives as an inducement to the private sector to provide advanced services, including broadband service, and upgraded infrastructure for all areas of Colorado, not just the densely populated metropolitan areas.

#9 Local state and federal governments should be encouraged to have rights-of-way access policies that do not present a barrier to cost effective infrastructure deployment by the private sector.

#10 Competitive fairness is important to continue the long-standing goal to provide for equal opportunity for any and all would-be local exchange carriers to be able to effectively compete in the market place. Therefore, any legislative, regulatory or incentive-based policies should provide an open and equitable

process for all private sector interests to participate

Approved 2004 by Action 22, Club 20 and Progressive 15

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Action 22 is a volunteer-driven membership organization of individuals, cities, communities, counties, associations, businesses and organizations in a 22-county region, banding together for a stronger voice on statewide discussion tables, the State Legislature and in Washington, D.C.Action 22's mission is to give voice to Southern Colorado and serve as a leader for cohesive action to affect change and shape the future of Southern Colorado.

Action 22 builds coalitions in support of its efforts and works to shape policies for the future of Southern Colorado. The organization represents a 36,530 sq. mile area (35% of the state) consisting of 850,000 citizens, 19.5% of the state’s population ranging from the SanLuisValley to the Kansas state line. The most effective means of affecting legislation is by grassroots advocacy efforts by our members.

It is appropriate and necessary that Action 22 take an active role in influencing the outcome of emerging issues that affect Southern Colorado. In order to balance its grassroots control with the ability to make timely decisions, Action 22 defines specific roles for the Board, the Executive Committee, the Policy Committees and the staff in responding to issues in a manner that is consistent Action 22 policy.

Education has been and will continue to play a very important role in Colorado. Global competition today requires that Colorado produce a well educated and strong workforce. The future economic growth and prosperity of Colorado, specifically Southern Colorado, depends on the strength of our educational institutions P-20. These principles are the basis of discussion and are designed to assist policy makers in enhancing Colorado’s educational system.

1.Support policies that enable K-12 school districts to promote teaching and learning consistent with uniform standards in specific subject areas.

2.Support testing that measures individual student growth as well as individual student achievement levels, especially in basic ability areas like math, science, literacy and social sciences.

3.Support policies that link compensation and promotion of education personnel to performance determined by student achievement toward established standards.

4.Support efforts to expand access to degree programs to meet high need professional and career areas.

5.Support policies that hold high promise for reducing staff turnover and developing more highly qualified teachers, especially for service in rural and high need subjects.

6.Support policies that assist in the expansion of high quality, public pre-school educational opportunities.

7.Support policies that aid schools and colleges in the Action 22 area in addressing the state’s goals of doubling completion rates, increasing retention rates, and eliminating the achievement gap.

8.Support a funding formula that results in equitable allocation of educational resources for all school districts in the State.

9.Support pre-K-12 funding policies that address regional differences in socio-economic factors and result in equitable, high quality education for all students in the Action 22 area.

10.Support higher education funding policies that ensure public support at levels sufficient to keep tuition rates affordable for qualified students and to address unique challenges and opportunities at each institution.

11.Support policies that make need-based public financial aid available to qualified students who demonstrate the potential to meet graduation requirements.

01/29/2010

ENERGY

Principles

With this in mind the issue of energy has been and will continue to be a very important role for Colorado. Global competition today requires that energy issues in Colorado need to be monitored to help give fair and competitive advantages for the state to be a player in the market. Energy in the state is a vast portfolio that ranges from solar, gas, oil, wind, hydro, geo thermal, bio mass and the list goes on includinguranium resources critical to supply nuclear power throughout the world. Energy development and maintenance is a complex task and must be ongoing with all communities in the state. These principles are the basis of discussions and are designed to assist policy makers in enhancing Colorado’s energy development.

Principle Statements

Supports better protection and/or compensation for surface estate owners impacted by energy production.
Opposes any additional regulation that would add materially to the cost of oil and gas operations, unless such regulation is based on and can be justified by sound, peer-reviewed science, and includes industry expertise and business realities in the process.
Opposes any added regulations that would negatively impact the amount of severance tax revenue which local governments and school districts rely upon by decreasing the quantity of mineral extraction from which the severance tax is derived.
Supports the continued funding of the CWCB with severance tax dollars.
Opposes any effort to divert severance tax dollars into the state's general fund.
Support policies and programs that encourage utilities to develop cost-effective ratio of mixed power portfolios that include renewable energy.
Encourages, supports, promotes and commits to the development of energy and renewable energy resources in the Action 22 area balancing the economic well-being of our communities with protecting human health, the environment and wildlife while allowing market forces to determine their deployment.
Supports the timely and responsible development of much needed power generating facilities which are designed to help facilitate development of the region’s electric energy resources.
Energy Impact Funds
Supports the continued dedication of Federal mineral leasing royalties and State severance taxes to be returned to the source communities from whence the minerals were developed to help mitigate the adverse impacts associated with the development of those minerals and to areas directly impacted by the energy conversion of fossil fuels.
Opposes any proposal to thwart the provisions in both Federal and State statute establishing a priority for use of severance tax and Federal and State mineral leasing royalty funds for mineral and energy impact purposes.
Objects to taxes which fall primarily on rural Colorado industries when the revenue is earmarked primarily for the benefit of the metropolitan areas and programs.
Advocates distribution of a greater share, not less, of these mineral and energy related revenues directly to the local governments that are directly impacted by the development and energy conversion activities involved.
Insists that any proposals involving these funds should be developed in full consultation with rural Legislators, community leaders and mineral industry representatives who stand to be adversely affected by such proposals
Supports revisiting the employment criteria and updating the job classification to include employees with 400 hours in the industry instead of employment with only one company.
Supports a funding mechanism and criteria to distribute funds to Energy Conversion Areas.

11/23/2009