Item K11
R.evised 2/95
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: Mav 17.2000
Division: Commissioner George Neugent
Bulk Item: Yes ----X- No
Department: Commissioner George Neugent
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of a resolution urging Senators Bob Graham and Connie Mack to take a leadership role in
requesting the United States Senate pass into Law the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Act of
2000 during the current legislative session.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS REVELANT BOCC ACTION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval.
TOTAL COST:
-0-
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY: -0-
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty -X
OMB/Purchasing _Risk Management _
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
DOCUMENTATION:
Included lL
To Follow
Not Required
/-/</1
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
MAY-15-00 15,41 FROM,MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE 10,3052923516
PAGE
3/5
RESOLUTrON NO.
-2000
A RESOLUTION OF THE IOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONRO!
COUNTY. FLORIDA, URGING SENATORS B08 GRAHAM AND CONNIE MACK
TO TAKE A lEADERSHIP ROLE IN REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES SENAT!
PASS INTO LAW THE FLORIDA KEYS WATER QUAUTY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Of 2000 DURING THE CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL TERM.
WHEREAS. adjacent to the Florida Keys land mass are located spectacular, unique
and nationally significant marine environments. including seagrass meadows. mangrove
islands, and extensive living coral reefs;
.
WHEREAS, these environments are the marine equivalent of tropical rain forests in that
they support high levels of biOlogical diversity. ore fragile and easily susceptible to damage
from human activities. and possess high value to human beings if properly conserved;
WHEREAS. these marine environments are subject to damage and loss of their
eCOlogical integrity from a variety of sources of disturbances. including inadequately treated
wastewater in the Keys;
WHEREAS. the Federal government and the State of Florida are required by Public
Law 101-605. Florida Keys Notional Morine Sanctuary and Protection ,\ct. to reduce pollution
in the waters offshore the Florida Keys to protect and restore the water quality. coral reefs
and other Jiving marine resources of the Florida Keys environment;
WHEREAS. Monroe County is undertaking extensive efforts to correct long-standing
wastewater impacts to the Florida Keys marine environment. including allocating $~ .000.000
to replace non-functioning septic systems. completion of the Monroe County Wastewater
Master Plan. implementation of an aggressive cesspool removal plan. and passage of 0 15-
year one cent infrastructure sales tax - 65% of which will provide em ongoing local
contribution to address water quality impacts;
WHEREAS. the Mayor of Monroe County is authorized to le<ld a brood coalition of
interests committed to the passage of this bill. including the Board of County Commissioners.
MAV-15-00 15,42 FROM,MONROE COUNTY ATTV OFFICE 10,3052923516
PACE
4/5
Monroe County staff, responsibJe citizenorganizofions.JheFloridaKeys Aqueduct Authority,
Monroe County's congressional and administrative consultant. Monroe County's wastewater
and stormwater consultants and their Washington, D.C. based representatives, the
Governor's Office. Monroe County's State legislative Delegation and others:
WHEREAS. the Monroe County Wastewater Master Plan estimates the cost of
retrofitting the Florida Keys wastewater systems at $430.360,000:
WHEREAS. Monroe County is currently preparing a Stormwater Master Plan and
anticipates those costs to exceed sanitary wastewater estimates:
WHEREAS. Monroe County as an average unit cost to retrofit wastewater that exceeds
four times the national overage cost;
WHEREAS. that excessive cost is due. in part, to Monroe County providing the highest
possible level of wastewater treatment available. a level that far exceeds standards
required to provide for human health and safety. in order to protect the low-nutrient tolerant
Florida Keys coral reef tract;
WHEREAS. Monroe County is financially unable to put in place the wastewater and
stormwater infrastructure necessary to protect this naturally-significant coral reef ecosystem
without Federal assistance:
WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives has passed, by a margin of
4 J J -7. H.R. 673. The Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Act of 2000. introduced by t
Representative Peter Deutsch. for which we are deeply appreciative; and
WHEREAS. the near-unanimous support for this bill reflects the support and
commitment of the nation to protecting America's largest coral barrier reef ecosystem;
now. therefore.
Be It Resolved By the Boord of County Commissioners of Mcmroe County, Florida:
HAV-15-00 15,42 FROH,HONROE COUNTY ATTV OFFICE
10,3052923518
PAGE
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"
1 . Senators Bob Graham and Connie Mack are requested to take a leadership
role in the United States Senate in enacting legislation that wiU:
a. Authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to malee grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct
Authority and other appropriate agencies for the purpose of
improving water quality throughout the marine ecosystem of
the Florida Keys;
b. Authorize that the non-federal share of the cost of a project
carried out is not to be Jess than 25 percent; and
c. Authorize an appropriation to the Administrator to carry out
the purposes of the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Act
of 2000, in the following amounts:
(1) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 ;
(2) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
(3) $50,000.000 for fiscal years 2003 through 2005.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the
day of May, 2000.
Mayor Shirley Freemon
Commissioner Wilhelmina Harvey
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Mary Kay ReiCh
Commissioner Nora WUliams
~
I
(SEAL)
ATTEST: DANNY l. KOlHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Deputy Cleric
By
Mayor IChairperson
rjresol