Item O53
CM
ounty of onroe
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Heather Carruthers, District 3
Mayor Pro Tem George Neugent, District 2
TheFloridaKeys
Danny L. Kolhage, District 1
David Rice, District 4
Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5
County Commission Meeting
May 18, 2016
Agenda Item Number: O.5
Agenda Item Summary #1676
BULK ITEM: DEPARTMENT:
Yes County Administrator
TIME APPROXIMATE:STAFF CONTACT:
Lisa Tennyson (305) 292-4444
No
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
DELETED: Approval of a resolution expressing the support of the
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners for expediting and funding Everglades Restoration
projects that prioritize water conveyance to the Florida Bay, and recognize the Florida Bay as a
critical part of the Everglades ecosystem.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
A resolution was presented at the March 2016 meeting, and the Board
directed Staff to strengthen the resolution's language regarding expediting investment and scheduling
of projects, enforcement of the Minimum Flow and Level ("MFL") rule, and acquiring land for water
storage in the EAA. The revised resolution is attached.
The Florida Bay is considered an ecological jewel of South Florida. Home to vitally important
ecosystem, Florida Bay supports valuable tourism, recreation and fishing industries. The ecological
conditions of the Florida Bay are seriously compromised and continually threatened by drought and
too little natural sheet flow through the southern region of the Everglades. The recurrent hyper
salinity in Florida Bay resulting from too little freshwater leads to massive seagrass die-off, algal
blooms, and threats to fisheries and other wildlife.
The highest priority for immediate protection of the ecological health of the Florida Bay and its
resources is the restoration of the natural sheet flow of fresh water in the southern end of the system
through the completion of the Modified Waters and C-111 projects which are designed specifically
to restore I\MWXMRK water flow to the Bay. These projects must be made an absolute priority of the
lead federal and state entities; they must be fully funded and their completion expedited. Protection
of the Bay also requires a strict enforcement of the MFL rule, and a clear prevention strategy.
The protection of the future health of Florida Bay also requires the expedited Congressional
authorization and appropriation of the Central Everglades Planning Project; this project includes the
construction of new storage and conveyance projects to direct RI[ water through the Everglades
National Park and into Florida Bay.
Long-term, the entire Everglades system and Florida Bay will require the completion of the entire
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suite of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects, including critical additional water
storage and conveyance projects. CERP's completion must become higher Congressional and state
priority. Additional water storage in the Everglades Agricultural Area will be necessary.
PLEASE NOTE: RESOLUTION IS STILL BEING FINALIZED.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
March 2016: Board consideration of resolution in support of Everglades Restoration.
January 2016: Resolution 003-2016 supporting Amendment 1 funding for Everglades Restoration
December 2015: Resolution 405-2015 supporting Restoration Needs of Everglades National Park
and Florida Bay.
September 2015: Letter and invitation to SFWMD Executive Director.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match
:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Bob Shillinger Completed 05/03/2016 6:16 PM
Kathy Peters Completed 05/04/2016 10:07 AM
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Board of County Commissioners Pending 05/18/2016 9:00 AM
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