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Revised May 14, 2009 Final 1 Missoula Policy Statement for Enhanced Forest Practices 2009 Whereas, forests are a vital part of the Clark Fork River basin that provide clean water, air, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, wilderness, biodiversity, natural processes, wood products and greatly enhance the quality of life for Missoula residents; and Whereas, the Missoula Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation Team has been charged to advise the Missoula City Council on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Now, therefore, the Missoula Greenhouse Gas Energy Conservation Team, chartered by the City Council to aid in the community-wide education and communication of energy efficient opportunities that minimize greenhouse gas emissions, recommends that the City Council adopt a Policy Statement for Enhanced Forest Practices that promotes and recommends the following: 1. Utilization of sustainably harvested local forest materials and locally produced wood products to minimize the impact of transportation of materials from remote locations. 2. Support the sustainable and ecologically sound management of forests. 3. The use of wood waste material for the manufacturing of finished products, for energy production, and encourage recycling of wood products. 4. Planting of trees in urban areas in a manner that improves energy efficiency through 1) lowering direct sunlight on south-facing windows and building structures, and 2) lowering wind speeds around buildings and resultant energy losses from seasonal heating and cooling, as well as planting of diverse species of trees on public and private lands to convert CO2 and utilize "grey water" from private and public treatment systems in an environmentally-friendly manner. Promote strategic urban planting of trees to reduce cooling requirements in the summer and to provide wind protection in the winter.