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DRAFT 2010-04-27 - Legacy Communities Green Tier Charter
DRAFT 2010-04-27 - Legacy Communities Green Tier Charter
I. Purpose
The purpose of this Charter is to establish an agreement, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 299.83(7e), by
which participating communities may take actions to achieve superior environmental
performance through improved efficiencies in operations, reduced energy use and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions.
The Charter will achieve superior environmental performance in ways that are not required by
state or federal law, or that go beyond current requirements of state or federal law, in the
following ways:
• Promote the use of comprehensive planning, smart growth principles, and progressive
transportation policies to reduce per-capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and thereby
reduce GHG emissions by community members
• Provide for the sharing of information, resources, infrastructure, and technology between
Charter signatories to enable more efficient and cost-effective reductions in energy use
and GHG emissions
II. Background
2. In 2007, Governor Jim Doyle created the Global Warming Task Force (GWTF) in
part to develop policy recommendations and identify goals for GHG reductions and to minimize
the economic, environmental, and public health impacts of global warming. In July 2008, the
GWTF issued its Final Report, entitled Wisconsin’s Strategy for Reducing Global Warming.
Recognizing that many direct and indirect sources of GHG emissions fall under the jurisdiction
or control of local units of government, the GWTF Report includes numerous strategies that
either directly apply to, or are inherently reliant upon, local units of government in Wisconsin.
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order to promote harmonious and coordinated development, meet future needs, and provide for
the general welfare. To assist communities with comprehensive planning, the Wisconsin
Department of Administration operates a Comprehensive Planning Grant Program.
8. State and Federal grants are available to assist communities with local
sustainability, public transportation, comprehensive planning, energy and water conservation,
and other climate-related efforts.
9. In light of these varied but overlapping programs aimed at curbing energy use and
GHG emissions and reducing environmental impact at the community level, a mechanism is
needed to facilitate action by local units of government in a manner that realizes the economic
benefits of such reductions.
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2. To facilitate access to state and federal funding for projects and activities related
to energy efficiency, renewable energy, GHG reductions, comprehensive planning, and
transportation.
3. To achieve and maintain attainment with National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) for particulate matter and ozone.
4. Individual local units of government (Cities, Towns, Counties, and Villages) that
elect to participate in this Charter and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.
V. Timeframe of Charter
1. Effective Date. This Charter will become effective when signed by DNR, 1,000
Friends, the League, and the first local unit of government to subscribe to the Charter, and will
remain in effect for five years subsequent to that date.
2. Duration of Charter. This Charter will remain in effect for five (5) years from the
effective date unless terminated as described below:
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(A) The Charter may be extended for additional five (5) year terms with the
written approval of the DNR, 1,000 Friends, the League, and a majority of
the local units of government which have subscribed to this Charter.
(B) The Charter may be terminated as a whole by the DNR, 1,000 Friends, the
League, or a majority of the local units of government which have
subscribed to this Charter after 90 days of written notice of termination.
(B) Explore and facilitate access to state funding, and the means to prioritize
funding applications, on behalf of Charter Signatories to further the goals
of this Charter
(B) Organize and convene regular meetings and conference calls of the
Charter signatories
(C) Lead an annual evaluation of the progress towards the goals of the Charter
(A)
4. Individual local units of government who become signatories to this Charter agree
to:
(A) Provide baseline data on GHG emissions, energy use, VMT, and other
parameters as determined by the Charter signatories, and provide regular
updates to these data
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(B) Engage the public and other affected stakeholders, and track public
response and opinion as to the goals and progress of the Charter
(C) Identify and act upon local environmental priorities consistent with this
Charter while striving in good faith to achieve each of the Charter’s goals
Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law Wisconsin’s Green Tier program in April 2004. This results-
based environmental policy rewards superior environmental performance that improves the
quality of air, water, land or natural resources beyond the minimum standard required by law.
Green Tier allows the state to differentiate among good environmental actors and those
performing at or near the regulatory minimum.
The Executive Officer of each Partnering Organizations can either appoint their representative or
establish a selection process.
Each Tier Two Charter Member Communities Executive Officer may submit a nomination to the
Partnering Organizations for consideration and selection.
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8. Secure funds to provide for the ongoing administration and implementation of the
LCGTC.
Amendment to the Charter to add requirements and change obligations over time
[Boilerplate]
X. Signatures
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