Steps should be taken to minimize Durango’s environmental footprint, but just how far the city should go and what results are realistic were up for debate during Monday’s City Council study session.

For the first time, councilors were presented with a draft of the Sustainability Action Plan, written by the city’s Natural Lands, Trails and Stainability Department.

The ambitious 36-page document outlines the city’s short-, mid- and long-term goals to increase efficiency, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and minimize waste across the board, from offices to construction projects.

Many of the short-term goals are simple, noncontroversial and can be implemented posthaste, such as setting printers to print on both sides of paper, turning off computers and power strips when not in use and increasing city recycling and composting efforts at city events. According to the sustainability plan, short-term goals should be accomplished by 2012.

It’s the long-term goals that raised eyebrows among councilors, such as moving toward becoming a carbon-neutral, zero-waste city. Long-term goals have a completion date of no sooner than 2026.

Of the councilors present, Christina Thompson, Joe Colgan and Mayor Michael Rendon were united in their support of the document. Erring on the side of skepticism was councilor Paul Broderick, who questioned whether some of the document’s loftier goals would ever be attainable. Councilor Doug Lyon was absent.

Broderick singled out zero-waste as one goal he didn’t think possible.

“I look at it, and it seems like a pipe dream,” he said.

Thompson disagreed, saying the city should set high standards even if it can’t always meet them.

“Paul, have you ever heard the quote, ‘Shoot for the stars, and you might at least make it to the moon’?” she asked.

Broderick replied, “There’s also the saying, ‘Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.’”

Mark Williams, Durango sustainability coordinator and principal author of the document, conceded that zero waste is a relative term. In fact, a 90 percent reduction in waste would likely satisfy zero-waste requirements.

Colgan said the zero-waste ideal is something the city must strive to meet.

“It’s a great idea and a concept, and one way or another, we’re going to have to get there, either voluntarily or we cover ourselves up with trash,” he said.

Kevin Hall, director of the city’s sustainability department, says his office will take comments on the plan for another month or two before issuing a final version. He anticipates a council vote on the plan could come as soon as May or June.

In other action, councilors discussed a future extension of the Animas River Trail east to Mercy Regional Medical Center and Three Springs.

Hall estimated costs for the extension range from $6 million to $8 million. The project will be subsidized with grants and funds from the Colorado Department of Transportation, though the bulk of the funds likely will come from the city of Durango, he said.

pyoung@durangoherald.com