RESOLUTION NO. 2022-R- 58
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE REDESIGNATION OF THE SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST TO THE SHAWNEE NATIONAL PARK AND CLIMATE PRESERVE
WHEREAS, the Shawnee National Forest encompasses a 289,000 acre area in southern
Illinois stretching from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River which contains some of the most
ecologically biodiverse areas in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Shawnee National Forest contains three designated geological areas, four
National Park Service Natural Area Landmarks, a National Historic Trail, five Physiographic Natural Divisions that collide, and seven designated Wilderness Areas; and
WHEREAS, the Shawnee National Forest is home to stunning scenery to include vistas
above Little Grand Canyon, LaRue Pine Hills, and Garden of the Gods; and
WHEREAS, the Shawnee National Forest has recreational opportunities at Bell Smith
Springs, Lusk Creek Canyon, Hutchins Creek, Burden Falls, and Fountain Bluff, among many
others; and
WHEREAS, the Carbondale City Council is committed to combating climate change and
adopted a Sustainability Action Plan on April 26, 2022 which included a focus on preserving tree
canopy; and
WHEREAS, preserving the natural resources and mature tree canopy of the Shawnee
forest will help sequester and store carbon which helps mitigate the effects of climate change,
further preserving this natural area; and
WHEREAS, the Shawnee National Forest is currently managed by the United States
Department of Agriculture through the United States Forest Service; and
WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service' focus is on resource extraction and
sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of national forests and grasslands to produce
healthy timber, grazing, wildlife, fish and other natural resources for the use of private interests;
and
WHEREAS, in order to change the management focus from resource extraction to
preservation of natural and cultural resources, education, and recreation while also ensuring the
sustainability of the Shawnee National Forest a change in designation to a National Park must be
approved by Congress; and
WHEREAS, changing the designation of the Shawnee from a National Forest to a National
Park would provide the resources needed to preserve the area but would require that the Shawnee's management be moved from the Forest Service to the National Park Service; and
WHEREAS, changing the designation from a National Forest to a National Park would
produce economic benefits to the entire southern Illinois region through an increase in tourism,
consumer spending, and job creation; and
WHEREAS, the National Park Service is a division of the Department of the Interior whose
mission is "to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations, and cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world"; and
WHEREAS, changing the Shawnee Forest's designation to the Shawnee National Park and
Climate Preserve will best ensure that the human and capital resources are available to preserve the
Shawnee Forest region's biodiversity, maintain outdoor recreation activities including hunting,
trapping, and fishing, while also remaining sustainable for future generations.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CARBONDALE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the Carbondale City Council authorizes the Mayor of the City of
Carbondale to request that the Illinois congressional delegation initiate the process to transfer
management of the Shawnee Forest from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
to the United States Department of Interior National Park Service.
SECTION 2. That the City Council authorizes the Mayor to request that the Governor of the
State of Illinois and the State of Illinois legislators serving the southern Illinois region join in supporting the Illinois Congressional delegation to initiate the change in designation from the Shawnee National Forest to the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve.
SECTION 3. That the City Council ask that other cities in the southern Illinois region join the
City of Carbondale in supporting the creation of the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve.
SECTION 4. That this Resolution be spread at length upon the minute records of the City
Council of the City of Carbondale, Illinois.
This Resolution adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Carbondale on
the 13th day of December, 2022.