Resolution 422-1988
RESOLUTION NO. 422
Commissioner Mike Puto
-1988
WHEREAS, Monroe County is bathed by the waters of a tropical
marine environment, including the only living coral reef in the
continental United State; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Monroe County enjoy the many
benefits and pleasures of these tropical marine waters; and
WHEREAS, the tropical waters of Monroe County are world
famous for their excellent sport fishing; and
WHEREAS, the tropical waters of Monroe County support
important commercial fisheries, including spiny lobster, stone
crab and finfish; and
WHEREAS, the commercial and sport fishing industries are
vital to the economy of Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, more than one million divers and snorkelers annual-
ly enjoy the wonders of the living coral reef and Monroe Count's
tropical marine environment; and
WHEREAS, the attractions of the living coral reef and Monroe
County's tropical waters are a foundation of the tourist indus-
try, which is critical to the economy of Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for research and education to
promote the wise use and conservation of Monroe County's tropical
marine environment; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Science and Conservation Center (MSCC)
in Layton, on Long Key, is an excellent facility for research and
education on Monroe County's tropical marine environment; and
WHEREAS, said research and education will promote the wise
use and conservation of Monroe County's tropical marine environ-
ment, the living coral reef and the commercial and sport
fisheries; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Institute of Oceanography is already
using the MSCC as a research and education facility for the
tropical marine environment of Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Natural Resources is
already using the MSCC for research on important species of
Monroe County, including the spiny lobster and the Queen Conch, a
species inseparably tied to the culture of the Florida Keys but
now greatly depleted; and
WHEREAS, public acquisition of the MSCC will allow said
research and education to continue and be expanded; and
WHEREAS, both the Florida Institute of Oceanography and DNR
will manage the MSCC as a publicly owned research and education
facility dedicated to the tropical marine environment of Monroe
County; and
WHEREAS, The Nature Conservancy has acquired the MSCC in
order that it may become a publicly owned research and education
facility dedicated to the tropical marine environment of Monroe
County; and
WHEREAS, the Florida legislature, in its 1989 session, will
consider funding for public acquisition of the MSCC; now, there-
fore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA that the Board does hereby support public
acquisition of the MSCC by the State, as a research and education
facility for the tropical marine environment of Monroe County,
and respectfully requests that the Legislature, in its 1989
session, appropriate the funds for acquisition of the MSCC.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 20th day of September, A.D., 1988.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Byt2~,,;..t
~yor C rman
(SEAL)
At tes t: DANNX L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
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