Resolution 110-2011Mayor Heather Carruthers
RESOLUTION NO. 110 -2011
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING LEGISLATION TO FUND THE FLORIDA
FOREVER PROGRAM TO MAKE FLORIDA FOREVER A
CONSERVATION SUCCESS LONG INTO THE FUTURE.
WHEREAS, Monroe County Florida is committed to protecting lands critical to the future of
Florida's drinking water, economy, recreation, and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Forever Program and its predecessor Preservation 2000 Program
have immeasurably contributed to environmental health, quality of life, recreation, and sustainability
in Florida for this and future generations; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has acquired over 1.3 million acres throughout Florida since
2000, and has done so through numerous successful partnerships with cities, counties, state agencies,
water management districts, nonprofit organizations, private landowners, and others; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through its partnerships with the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, and others, produces benefits that include clean air and water; healthy
fisheries and wildlife habitat; improved water supply protection; and protected open spaces including
greenway corridors, park lands, forests, bodies of water, and preserved working landscapes that
sustain the state's $87 billion agricultural industry and help preserve Florida's rural way of life; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Communities Trust, has assisted Florida's
cities and counties in protecting their cultural and historical resources, meeting the challenges of
growth management, directing development away from coastal high hazard areas and floodplains;
fostering a healthier lifestyle for Floridians; and providing recreational outdoor experiences in both
urban and rural settings; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has helped to save many of Florida's beaches, rivers, bays,
forests, coral reefs and estuaries that provide the foundation for our $65 billion tourism industry that
attracts more than 80 million visitors each year, and specifically drives the state's $8.1 billion
fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing industry; and
WHEREAS, more than 50 Florida local governments have enacted land acquisition
financing programs in past decades, and these conservation finance programs serve to leverage
Florida Forever funding and increase the impact of state land conservation funding; and
WHEREAS, regular and consistent funding is required insure the continuity of Florida
Forever and to preserve parks and recreational facilities, wildlife and wilderness areas, and open
space for future generations of Floridians; and
WHEREAS, numerous opportunities exist today to protect properties that have long been
identified as conservation and recreation priorities by the state, cities, and counties, because of the
current reductions in real estate values across Florida; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Florida Legislature reauthorized Florida Forever for an additional
ten years; and
WHEREAS, a 2009 public opinion survey conducted by members of the Florida Forever
Coalition found that more than 67% of Florida's voters support continued legislative funding for the
Florida Forever program,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1 : Urge the 2011 Florida Legislature to fund the Florida Forever program and to make
Florida Forever a conservation success long into the future.
Section 2 : That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to:
• Governor of the State of Florida, Rick Scott
• Representative Ron Saunders
• Senator Larcenia J. Bullard
• Mike Haridopolos, State Senate President
• Dean Cannon, Florida Speaker of the House
• Florida Forever Coalition, 625 N. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301
• Secretary Herschel Vinyard, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 3900
Commonwealth Boulevard M.S. 49, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
• Secretary Billy Buzzett, Florida Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Shumard Oak
Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399 -2100
• Senator Charles "Charlie" Dean, Chair, Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation
Committee, 302 Senate Office Bldg., 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1100
• Senator Jeremy Ring, Chair, Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability, 210
Senate Office Bldg., 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1100
• Representative Steve Crisafulli, Chair, House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee,
303 House Office Bldg., 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1300
• Representative Seth McKeel, Chair, State Affairs Committee, 422 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St.,
Tallahassee, FL 32399 -1300
Section 3: This Resolution shall become effective on the date written below.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a
meetinc of said Board held on the 16' day of March A.D. 2011. ,
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By
Mayor Heather Carruthers
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice
°Cmissioner Sylvia Murphy
oner George Neugent
'n oner Kim Wigington
L. Kolhage, Clerk OF MONROE C LINTY, FLORIDA
By
Clerk of Courts Yo - :SCE COUNTY
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
L. Kolhage, Clerk OF MONROE C LINTY, FLORIDA
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Clerk of Courts Yo - :SCE COUNTY
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