Resolution 211-2013Mayor Neugent
RESOLUTION NO. 211 - 2013
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
SUPPORTING, ENDORSING AND RECOGNIZING THE
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF
ESTABLISHING CORAL REEF NURSERIES AS
ZOOLOGICAL PARKS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS;
RECOGNIZING A HEALTHY CORAL REEF SYSTEM IS
VITAL TO ATTRACTING TOURISTS TO THE FLORIDA
KEYS; RECOGNIZING THAT CORAL REEF NURSERIES,
AS ZOOLOGICAL PARKS, WOULD ATTRACT BOTH
VISITORS AND RESIDENTS AND PROMOTE PUBLIC
AWARENESS OF THE FRAGILE CORAL REEF SYSTEM
IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WHICH IS SO VITAL TO BOTH
OUR LOCAL AND STATE ECONOMY.
WHEREAS, the Fabulous Florida Keys, Monroe County, is home to the third largest
barrier reef in the world; and
WHEREAS, the 150 mile reef tract is a virtual ecosystem within an ecosystem that
spawns and provides protection for our marine resources that literally is the foundation of our
economy; and
WHEREAS, nurturing and growing coral in manmade nurseries for replanting reefs,
which have been decimated by elevated sea surface temperatures due to climate change in which the warm
temperatures enhance the conditions for coral diseases with some damage attributable to storm -water run-
off, far -field loading from agriculture runoff, nutrient loading from impaired waters, ship
groundings and other damaging impacts; and
WHEREAS, coral reef nurseries could also serve as zoological parks attracting both
visitors and residents to the Florida Keys and promote public awareness of the fragile coral reef
system; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, in recognizing the
catastrophic impact to tourism that the missing element of a healthy coral reef system would
have on our local and state economy through the loss of visiting tourist's bed and sales taxes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The BOCC enthusiastically supports and endorses the establishment of coral reef
nurseries as zoological parks throughout the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary to aid recovery and perpetuation of the most unique and valuable asset
of the State of Florida and the Florida Keys economy.
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Res coral reef nurseries as zoological parks
BOCC 7 /17/13 (7/8/13 (KP)
Section 2. This resolution shall become effective upon the date of its passage and adoption herein.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 17 day of July, 2013.
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MOX COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: ' C' b404
Mayor
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Mayor George Neugent
Mayor Pro Tem Heather Carruthers
Commissioner Danny Kolhage
Commissioner David Rice
' ria Murphy
Res coral reef nurseries as zoological parks
BOCC 7 /17/13 (7/8/13 (KP)
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
PROVED S 0 ORM:
C H A L. ALL
ASSI AN -io UN�T�Y�ATTORNEY
Date -- - ..._
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