Resolution 445a-2009
RESOLUTION NO. 445a - 2009
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PLEDGING THEIR COMMITMENT TO
APPROPRIATE STAFF RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE, WITHIN
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL
CLIMATE TEAM WITH MIAMI-DADE, PALM BEACH AND
BROW ARD COUNTIES TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
SOlJTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMA TE CHANGE ACTION
PLAN.
Mayor Neugent
WHEREAS, there is consensus among the world's leading scientists that global climate
change is among the most significant problems facing the world today; and
WHEREAS, Florida is considered one of the most vulnerable areas in the country to the
consequences of climate change with Southeast Florida on the front line to experience the
impacts of climate change, especially sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, Monroe is located in Southeast Florida and is a neighboring county with
Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties; and
WHEREAS, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties, herein the four
counties that constitute the southeast Florida Region, share in common a strong quality of life
rooted in the region's rich cultural heritage, vigorous economy, and environmental resources of
global significance; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned four counties of Southeast Flori~ which represent
approximately 30% of the population of the State of Florida, are physically linked one to the
other by the~ Atlantic Ocean coastline and share some of the world's most renowned natural
resources such as the Everglades, our unique coral reefs, beautiful beaches, and fragile Keys
ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the four counties of Southeast Florida and their respective populations,
totaling more than five million residents, are expected to share in disproportionately high risks
associated with climate change due to low land elevations, rising sea level projections, and
anticipated lllcreases in tropical storm events; and
WHEREAS, rising sea levels could limit the effectiveness of critical drainage
infrastructure, endanger beaches, and coastal natural resources and increase incidents of
saltwater intrusion on the Biscayne Aquifer - putting at risk the drinking water supply for the
entire population of Southeast Florida; and
WHEREAS, local governments and the region as a whole, must give significant
consideration to adaptation strategies designed to protect public infrastructure, property, water
resources, natural areas and native species, and basic quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned four counties of Southeast Florida account for a
combined Gross Domestic Product of more than $2.5 billion annually and more than 37% of
statewide economic output; and
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Mayor Neugent
WHEREAS, while the four counties of Southeast Florida have independently taken steps
to address global climate change, all parties recognize that coordinated and collective action on
this, the defming issue for Southeast Florida in the 21 st Century, will best serve the citizens of the
region; now' therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Monroe County shall work in close collaboration with the aforementioned
counties of Southeast Florida party to this compact to develop a joint policy
position urging the United States Congress to pass legislation that recognizes the
unique vulnerabilities of Southeast Florida to the impacts of climate change and to
further a joint policy position that includes specific recommendations regarding
the allocation of federal climate change funding based on vulnerability to climate
change impacts. Such recommendations might include designation of areas of
Southeast Florida as uniquely vulnerable and of federal interest for the purpose of
securing enhanced levels of federal participation in regional adaptation
projects.
Monroe County shall work in close collaboration with the other counties party to
this compact to develop additional legislative policy statements relating to global
climate change and future legislation to be considered by the Congress of the
United States for transmittal to the Congressional Delegation representing, in part
or in whole, districts within the area covered by this compact.
Monroe County shall work in close collaboration with other counties party to
this compact in developing joint position statements on proposed State legislation
and energy/climate policies including but not limited to issues such as the region's
energy and climate security and a renewable energy portfolio standard that
defines renewable energy sources as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill
gas, qualified hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic energy and to collaborate
on other emerging energy/climate issues that may be considered by the 2010
Florida Legislature Delegation representing, in part or in whole, districts within
the area covered by this compact.
Monroe County shall work with other counties party to this compact in
developing joint position statements for future State legislation that may be
considered by the Florida Legislature for transmittal to the Legislative Delegation
representing, in part or in whole, districts within the area covered by this compact.
Monroe County shall commit appropriate staff resources and expertise, within
budget constraints, to participate in the Regional Climate Team with other
counties party to this compact toward the development of a Southeast Florida
Regional Climate Change Action Plan.
Monroe County shall work with other counties party to this compact m
developing a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Action Plan.
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Mayor Neugent
The Action Plan could, at a minimum, include the following components:
(a) A baseline of greenhouse gas emissions for Southeast Florida;
(b) Strategies for coordinated emission reductions throughout the built environment
to include the use of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of
demand-side renewable energy resources;
( c) Strategies for coordinated emission reductions from the transportation sector to
include increased reliance on public transit, emerging vehicle technologies, and
advanced bio-fuels;
( d) Strategies for coordinated emission reductions resulting from changes in local
and regional land use;
( e) Strategies for the coordinated regional preparation for and adaptation to a rapidly
changing global environmental based upon regional mapping of projected sea-
level rise and any resulting amplification of localized impacts of tropical cyclone
events. Such strategies shall incorporate climate preparation concerns for the
regional economy, regional infrastructure and the built environment, social and
cultural needs, and natural systems within the four counties party to this compact.
Section 7:
That Monroe County shall commit to participating with other counties party to
this compact in hosting the Second Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change
Summit in October 2010.
Section 8:
Effective Date: This Compact shall become effective upon Adoption.
Florida at a regular meeting on said Board on the 18th day of November
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Mayor Sylvia Murphy
Mayor Pro Tem iIeather Carruthers
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Mario DiGennaro
Commissioner Kim Wigington
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: ~~L4 't>~,,4--
, Mayor George Neugent
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Yes
Yes
Yes
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Yes
, A.D., 2009. '"
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(SEAL)
ATTEST: Danny L. Kolhage, CLERK
By:
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Deputy Clerk
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