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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution addresses littering in Utah and encourages the creation of a
11 statewide, long-term anti-littering campaign.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ recognizes the impact that littering has on our communities and environment;
15 ▸ addresses the benefit to implementing a statewide, long-term anti-littering
16 campaign;
17 ▸ recognizes the opportunity to inform manufacturers, distributors, packagers, and
18 retailers on ways they can help prevent littering; and
19 ▸ encourages the Utah Department of Transportation, Department of Natural
20 Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Association of
21 Counties, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns to work with area experts and
22 interested stakeholders to explore the creation of a statewide, long-term anti-
23 littering campaign.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
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27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
28 WHEREAS, Utah is universally recognized as a place rich in natural scenic beauty,
29 with wetlands, forests, and alpine and desert biomes;
30 WHEREAS, Utah is home to over three million residents and more than 600 species of
31 mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, and hosts over 23 million visitors annually, all
32 of whom would benefit from renewed dedication to the cleanliness of our lands and waterways;
33 WHEREAS, trash, from plastic and paper cups, drink bottles and cans, snack wrappers,
34 straws, plastic shopping bags, and other consumer waste, line many of our streets and
35 highways, lakes and rivers, and is scattered across parks, open spaces, and private properties
36 creating visual blight, habitat disruption, and other harmful effects on humans, domestic
37 animals, and wildlife;
38 WHEREAS, trash on the streets can clog storm water drains, exacerbate street flooding
39 during storm events, choke waterways, and create other harmful impacts and pollution in rivers
40 and lakes;
41 WHEREAS, the approximate annual cost to clean up highway litter in Utah averaged
42 $1.53 million between 2008 and 2013 and this cost will only increase as the population in Utah
43 increases if Utah does not pursue active measures to address littering;
44 WHEREAS, the Utah Department of Transportation estimated the yearly number of
45 accidents caused by highway debris ranged from 650 to 800 between 2008 and 2012 and this
46 number is expected to increase if Utah does not address littering;
47 WHEREAS, the environmental cleanup of litter, once it has entered the storm water
48 system, is far more costly than the preventive efforts through civic engagement and public
49 awareness campaigns;
50 WHEREAS, a long-term anti-litter campaign provides a meaningful opportunity to
51 clean up Utah's land and water;
52 WHEREAS, Utah has not had a coordinated anti-littering campaign since the 1990s -
53 the "Don't Waste Utah" campaign;
54 WHEREAS, over the 30 continuous years since its launch, the "Don't Mess With
55 Texas" anti-litter campaign has become an iconic expression of community and culture with
56 signs dotting the highways and byways of the state, with friendly community "Trash-Off" clean
57 up competitions across the state, and with businesses proudly brandishing the "Don't Mess
58 With Texas" brand alongside their own;
59 WHEREAS, for the past four decades, New Mexico's anti-litter campaign, "Toss No
60 Mas," has evolved through local and regional movements in many New Mexico communities
61 to receive statewide support for the initiative;
62 WHEREAS, working unitedly for a clean environment is a solution in which every
63 resident and visitor to Utah can participate;
64 WHEREAS, the impacts of litter particularly are not just about cleanliness and
65 beautification, but have an important environmental effect as well;
66 WHEREAS, there is tremendous opportunity to work in partnership with
67 manufacturers, distributors, packagers, and retailers to address the sources of much of our litter,
68 exploring innovative and creative ways to reduce single-use disposable packaging and
69 containers; and
70 WHEREAS, a long-term anti-littering campaign will increase pride in Utah by
71 encouraging residents and visitors to be mindful of litter and its effects:
72 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
73 Governor concurring therein, encourages the Department of Transportation, Department of
74 Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah Association of Counties,
75 and the Utah League of Cities and Towns to work with area experts and interested stakeholders
76 to explore the creation of a statewide, long-term anti-littering campaign that addresses littering
77 by residents and visitors and the negative impact that littering has on our environment,
78 communities, and health.
79 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department
80 of Transportation, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental
81 Quality, the Utah Association of Counties, and the Utah League of Cities and Towns.