Resolution 437-2011RESOLUTION NO. 437-2011
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF ADEQUATE
HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING AND TIER I DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) DESIGNATION FOR THE NIIAMI-
FORT LAUDERDALE URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE (UASI)
WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland Security, through the Urban Area Security Initiative
Program, provides homeland security grant funding to address the unique planning, organization,
equipment, training, and exercise needs of high -threat, high -density urban areas, and assists them
in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respold to, and
recover from acts of terrorism; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland Security, through the UASI Program, distinguishes
among urban areas as Tier 1 and Tier II, with the 11 highest risk urban areas deemed Tier 1, and
the remaining 20 deemed Tier II; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland Security allocates significantly more funding to Tier 1
Urban Areas, including over 80 percent of total UASI funding in FY2011; and
WHEREAS, the Tier 1 designation is based on a DHS formula that assesses risk based on factors
such as threat, vulnerability, and consequence, taking into account population, borders, economic
impact, and critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI is the eighth -largest Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) in the United States, with a permanent population of 5.6 million residents living
throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami -Dade, and Monroe Counties, along with millions of
seasonal residents and tourist travelers; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI includes over 110 municipalities, four
international airports, three major convention centers, and other critical utility and water
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI encompasses four international seaports: Port
Everglades, Port of Key West, Port of Miami, and Port of Palm Beach, with the Port of Miami the
busiest passenger cruise ship port in the world; and
WHEREAS, the site of South Florida's primary fuel storage and distribution center supplies
nearly one -fifth of the state's energy requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI region includes major water sources which, if
contaminated or breached, would cause enormous disruptions in drinking water supplies and
agricultural irrigation with flooding that would endanger South Florida and much of Central
Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI has both national and international economic
significance, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $252.6 billion, and is home to the largest
concentration of international banks in the United States, and is the future home of the Permanent
Secretariat of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI is home to the National Access Point (NAP)
Center of the Americas, which is the primary internet and telecommunications distribution center
for all of Central and South America; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI is of immense significance to our Nation's
defense and homeland security, serving as the home to US Southern Command
(USSOUTHCOM), Homestead Air Reserve Base, US Coast Guard operations at Air Station
Miami and Station Miami Beach; Naval Air Station Key West; and the National Hurricane Center;
and
WHEREAS, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States cites specific
localities within the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI region through which some of the 9-11
terrorists are known to have traveled; and
WHEREAS, UASI funding is essential in providing funding for the training and coordination of
communication and response for over a hundred different fire, EMS, HazMat, law enforcement,
emergency operations and public health agencies within the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale UASI; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale Urban Area is not currently designated as a Tier I high -
threat, high density urban area; and
WHEREAS, the current UASI methodology utilized by DHS does not adequately account for
airport and sea borne threats, nor the presence of thousands of passengers filling cruise ship beds;
and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Fort Lauderdale Urban Area, despite being among the top 13 UASIs in
the country, sustained a 44 percent reduction in funding from $17.1 million in FY 2010 to $9.6
million in FY2011, while the eleven Tier 1 Urban Areas sustained no reductions in funding; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County as part of the Miami -Fort Lauderdale UASI, is concerned that the
Department of Homeland Security through the UASI Program will continue to dedicate
insufficient resources to safeguard the Miami -Fort Lauderdale Urban Area; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has had to eliminate and/or reduce $136,636 in FY 2011 that
provide training and equipment respectively as a result of this reduced funding;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS that:
1) The COUNTY encourages the Department of Homeland Security to recognize the Miami -
Fort Lauderdale Urban Area as a Tier I UASI funding recipient within the UASI Program,
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and allocate adequate funding commensurate with its risk profile and importance to the
nation.
2) The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners supports full funding of the UASI
Program in FY2012.
3) The County Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the offices of Senator Bill
Nelson, Senator Marco Rubio, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS of MONROE
COUNTY, Florida on this 14th day of December, 2011.
Mayor Rice
Mayor Pro Tem Wigington
Commissioner Neugent
Commissioner Carruthers
Commissioner Murphy
S.
ATTEST:
DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
BY•'�A e . "q�
Deputy Clerk
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMlIISSIONERS
OF MONROE CO VIDA
By:
DAVID RICE, YOR/CHAIRPERSON
P, JA3T'
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