Item I1
Memorandum of Understanding
Between
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and
Monroe County, Florida
Backszround
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990 directed the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Florida, in consultation with the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to develop a Water Quality Protection
Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary. The purpose of the WQPP is to recommend priority
corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of pollution
to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. In
addition to corrective actions, the 1990 Act also requires the development of a comprehensive
monitoring program for the Sanctuary and provision of opportunities for public participation.
The National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 1992 directed EP A and the State to
implement the WQPP and required the establishment of a Steering Committee for the WQPP.
The purpose of the Steering Committee is to set guidance and policy for the development and
implementation of the WQPP and to work together to insure that the components (corrective
actions, monitoring, special studies, and public education/outreach) of the Program are
implemented and to seek adequate funding.
EP A and the State of Florida have worked with numerous federal, state, and local government
agencies, including Monroe County government, to implement the various strategies
recommended in the WQPP document. EP A has primary responsibility for implementing the
comprehensive monitoring and special studies programs and EP A has provided the majority of
funding for the monitoring activities and the special studies projects. The long-term monitoring
project, which includes water quality, coral reef, and seagrass components is now in its sixth
year. Since 1995, EPA has provided 100% of the funds ($2,290,000) for the water quality
monitoring project.
The current total annual budget for the water quality monitoring project is about $450,000.
During the June 1999 meeting of the WQPP Steering Committee, EPA presented the FY 2000
budget of the WQPP and projected a budget shortfall for the water quality monitoring project of
approximately $300,000. EPA requested that other program partners provide financial
assistance to help fund the ongoing monitoring and special studies projects in the Sanctuary. At
the June 1999 meeting, the Steering Committee unanimously passed a resolution requesting that
the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (IDC) provide financial assistance for the
long-term water quality monitoring project.
Puroose
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish the shared
responsibilities of the EPA and Monroe County, Florida for the funding of the ongoing water
X. I
2
quality monitoring project for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Specifically, this
MOU provides for the joint funding of the FY 2000 water quality monitoring component of the
comprehensive monitoring program by EP A and Monroe County. Other agencies, including the
South Florida Water Management District, may also participate in the funding of the FY 2000
water quality monitoring project for the Sanctuary.
Authoritv
This MOU is entered into pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 1992
and the Bylaws of the WQPP Steering Committee established in accordance with the Act.
Actions
1. EPA Region 4 will provide a minimum of$150,000 federal funds to Florida International
University/Southeast Environmental Research Center (FIU/SERC) via the existing cooperative
agreement between EPA and FlU/SERe. This action was completed on August 12, 1999.
2. Monroe County will provide a miRiHU:tM ef$100,000 County funds from the Tourist
Development Council to FIU/SERC via the appropriate assistance agreement between Monroe
County and FIU/SERC" Th~;:) adion .shall be, completed b, Jlln~ IS, 1666.
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Effective and Termination Dates ~. -...__..Gt. ~. a"~
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This MOU is effective upon the signatures of authorized representatives of the EP A and Monroe
County and shall remain in effect until terminated. Either party may terminate this MOU by
giving written notice to the other party at least 30 days before such termination occurs.
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Siimatures
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 4
By:
John H. Hankinson, Jr.
Regional Administrator
Date:
Board of County Commissioners
Monroe County, Florida
By:
Mayor/Chair Person
Date: