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Item Q4BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS County of Monroe A Mayor Heather Carruthers, District 3 ( T$ne Florida Keys (, Mayor Pro Tem George Neugent, District 2 t� ) ��` �� �' Danny L. Kolhage, District 1 David Rice, District 4 Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5 County Commission Meeting July 20, 2016 Agenda Item Number: Q.4 Agenda Item Summary #1813 BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: County Administrator TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Lisa Tennyson (305) 292-4444 10:15 A.M. AGENDA ITEM WORDING: 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: Florida Bay is home to a vitally important ecosystem and 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 fresh water leads to massive seagrass die -off, algal blooms, and threats to fisheries and other wildlife. The protection of the future health of Florida Bay requires the expedited Congressional authorization, appropriation and implementation of the Central Everglades Planning Project; this project includes the construction of new storage and conveyance projects to direct new water through the Everglades National Park and into Florida Bay. The planning for additional water storage in the Everglades Agricultural Area should also be expedited. We must expedite completion of Modified Water Deliveries and the C-111 projects which are designed specifically to restore existing water flow to the Bay. Further, we must require from SFWMD a strict enforcement if the MFL rule, and a clear prevention of strategy, and improved operational measures. Long-term, the entire Everglades system and Florida Bay will require the completion of the entire suite of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects, including critical additional water storage and conveyance projects. CERP's completion must become a higher Congressional state priority. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: September 2015: Submitted letter to SFWMD urging action on Florida Bay. December 2015: Approved Resolution supporting Everglades Restoration and Florida Bay (405- 2015). January 2016: Approved Resolution supporting Senator Negron's bills directing Amendment 1 funding for Everglades Restoration (003-2016). March 2016: Met with SFWMD to urge action for Florida Bay; Board considered/discussed a Resolution in support of Everglades Restoration; Board added CPEP to county federal priorities; Board directed federal lobbyists to meet with delegation to urge authorization of CPEP. May 2016: Meeting with Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam to urge action on Florida Bay. June 2016: SFWMD presentation to BOCC on Everglades system constraints. CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval. DOCUMENTATION: Everglades Resolution Additional Backup 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: Grant: County Match: Insurance Required: Additional Details: If yes, amount: REVIEWED BY: Bob Shillinger Completed 07/05/2016 5:51 PM Kathy Peters Completed 07/05/2016 6:00 PM Board of County Commissioners Pending 07/20/2016 9:00 AM RESOLUTION NO. - 2016 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF EXPEDITING AUTHORIZATON, APPROPRIATION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND COMPLETION OF EVERGLADES RESTORATION PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ENHANCE WATER STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE TO RESTORE WATER FLOW TO THE FLORIDA BAY WHICH IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE FLORIDA BAY, A CRITICAL PART OF THE EVERGLADES ECOSYSTEM. WHEREAS, Monroe County is part of the vast Everglades ecosystem that covers much of South Florida; and WHEREAS, Monroe County's coastline encompasses Florida Bay, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary ("FKNMS") and Everglades National Park; and WHEREAS, the waters of the Florida Keys are dependent on the health of the Everglades ecosystem as the primary source of fresh water and foundation for the nearshore estuarine environment and Florida Bay that provides a unique and critical habitat for numerous plants and animals, including 15 federally protected, endangered and threatened species and state special concern species, such as the bottlenose dolphin, Florida manatee, smalltooth sawfish, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, spoonbills, pelicans, egrets, piping plover, and the American crocodile; and WHEREAS, Florida Bay comprises a large portion of Everglades National Park, and is a main receiving water body of flows from the central and northern Greater Everglades Ecosystem, heavily influenced by changes in quality, quantity, timing and distribution of freshwater flows into the southern end of the Everglades system; and WHEREAS, the construction of water control structures and facilities within the Everglades throughout the 20th century has altered the natural hydrologic patterns of water in the region. Over time, this has a resulted in a greater than 50% reduction in flows through the central Everglades and a dramatically altered distribution of flows into Taylor. The reduction and redistribution of freshwater into Florida Bay has reduced the critically needed flow of freshwater into Taylor Slough, a natural feature of the Everglades that flows southwest into numerous tributaries that eventually empty into Florida Bay, harmed the health of the Bay and other connected coastal regions; and WHEREAS, Florida Bay is within the vitally important ecosystem located between the mainland and the Florida Keys, with approximately 20% of Florida Bay within the boundaries of the FKNMS and approximately 80% of Florida Bay within the boundaries of Everglades National Park both dependent on clean and adequate water flows; and Page 1 of 5 WHEREAS, Florida Bay is vital to the multi -billion dollar fishing and ecotourism industry of South Florida, including commercial and recreational fishing, snorkeling, diving, boat and equipment rentals, hospitality and other related businesses. Florida Bay comprises a significant portion of the coastal Everglades recreational fishing industry worth $880 million annually and commercial shrimp and stone crab fisheries worth more than $80 million annually; and WHEREAS, the ecosystem of the Florida Keys including Florida Bay attracts over 4 million visitors and over $4.5 billion in economic activity annually, generating $200 million in sales tax revenue for the State of Florida each year; and WHEREAS, current ecological conditions in Florida Bay are approaching the conditions of 1987-1990, when Florida Bay experienced an ecological collapse from hypersaline conditions that led to massive sea grass die off and devastating algal blooms that clouded the crystal waters of the Florida Bay. Due to lack of freshwater flow and drought conditions in 2015 Florida Bay is once again experiencing high salinity contributing to significant seagrass die -off zones currently estimated at 50,000 acres, approaching the levels of 1987-1990 when approximately 67,000 acres of Florida Bay experienced some degree of seagrass die off die off, and WHEREAS, while recent rainfall has helped the hypersaline conditions, it does not ameliorate the recent seagrass die -off that has occurred or the harmful algal blooms that are likely to result from that die off this upcoming summer and fall further damaging the environment and economy requiring multi -year recovery. As an early indicator, nesting for Spoonbills and other species of birds has been poor this season due to adverse conditions in Florida Bay; and WHEREAS, this dire situation in Florida Bay is a symptom of a larger need to restore the Everglades ecosystem by constructing projects for conveyance, water quality treatment and storage of water as outlined in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP); and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners urges all of the responsible entities -- the Federal government, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the State of Florida (State), and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) -- to expedite the completion of CERP, including the authorization of and appropriations for all CERP projects, as well as the completion of foundational projects authorized prior to CERP ("pre-CERP"); and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners urges the expedited authorization, appropriation, and completion of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), a subset of CERP projects that includes both water quality treatment and conveyance projects that will significantly improve restoration of the Everglades by providing and conveying freshwater flows from Lake Okeechobee to the central Everglades estimated at 210,000 acre-feet per year and restoring sheet flow to the Florida Bay; and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners requests that the Federal government, the Corps, the State, and SFWMD to prioritize and expedite the completion of CERP and pre-CERP projects in the southern end of the system that are already planned and authorized but have not yet been completed including Modified Water Deliveries, the C-111 South Dade Project including contracts 8 and 9, C-111 Spreader Canal Western project, along with all operational actions that can be taken now to improve water flow to the Florida Bay; and Page 2 of 5 WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners supports expediting the CERP planning project for additional EAA storage ("EAA Storage & ASR/Decomp Phase 2") and combining this planning effort with the planning for the Lake Okeechobee Watershed project; and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners requests that the Federal government, the State of Florida and SFWMD expedite the acquisition of all lands in the EAA south of Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee, Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie River basins, and system -wide, which are determined to be necessary for the implementation of CERP projects; and WHEREAS, to address the likelihood of additional water storage being necessary after the completion CEPP, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners asks that the State consider the options recommended by the University of Florida Water Institute providing land area for additional opportunities to store, convey and treat water south of Lake Okeechobee including "1) purchase of private land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (including the current U.S. Sugar land purchase option on land from other willing sellers) to use or trade for deep and/or shallow storage and treatment opportunities, 2) develop a cost sharing program for on - farm or sub -regional multi -farm shallow storage and treatment opportunities, and 3) use existing state owned wildlife management areas" (compatible with the restoration goals of those areas); and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners urges that the Corps and SFWMD aggressively study, identify and implement operational measures that will enhance water flows into Florida Bay, such as the emergency operations in 2015-2016, and supports the SFWMD's current South Dade Investigation that is exploring the full range water management options south of Tamiami Trail. Monroe County strongly urges that options be evaluated to optimize restoration opportunities for Florida Bay and specifically to identify short- term operational measures and conveyance to specifically deliver freshwater to the Florida Bay; and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners strongly requests that SFWMD expedite the development and implementation of a recovery strategy to address the exceedances and violation of the Minimum Flow and Level (MFL) Rule for Florida Bay, outline and report to Monroe County its measures to prevent future exceedances and violations, and given the likelihood of another large algal bloom, outline contingency plans to protect Florida Bay from a complete collapse of the system or threat to human health, and that the SFWMD make compliance with the MFL Rule for Florida Bay a top priority; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners that: 1. The above recitals are hereby incorporated into this resolution as restated herein constitute the legislative findings and intent of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida. Page 3 of 5 2. Monroe County strongly requests that South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers look for all opportunities to improve the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water flows into Florida Bay and immediately implement an MFL recovery strategy; and 3. The South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expedite the on -going Everglades restoration projects such as: Modified Water Deliveries, the C-111 South Dade Project, C-111 Spreader Canal Western project, Tamiami Trail Next Steps, Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), along with all operational actions that can be taken now to improve water flow to the Florida Bay; and 4. The South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expedite water storage planning south of Lake Okeechobee, such as the EAA Storage & ASR/Decomp Phase 2 (Component G, GG of the Integrated Delivery Schedule for CERP) in an effort to look for new water to add to the freshwater flow to Florida Bay; and 5. The County's federal and state lobbying teams advocate for acquisition of all lands in the EAA south of Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee, Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie River basins, and system -wide, which are determined to be necessary for the implementation of CERP and CEPP projects; and 6. The Clerk for this Board shall furnish copies of this resolution to: • U.S. Senator Bill Nelson • U.S. Senator Marco Rubio • U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo, District 26 • Florida Governor Rick Scott • Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner • Florida Senate President-elect Joe Negron • Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli • Florida House Speaker -elect Richard Corcoran • State Senator Dwight Bullard, District 39 • State Senator Anitere Flores, District 37 • State Representative Holly Raschein, District 120 • U.S. Army Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo -Ellen Darcy • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Commander Col. Jason Kirk • U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell • Chair, South Florida Water Management District Governing Board, Daniel O'Keefe • Executive Director, South Florida Water Management District Peter Antonacci • Secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Jon Steverson 7. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. Page 4 of 5 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 20" day of July, 2016. Mayor Heather Carruthers Mayor pro tern George Neugent Commissioner Danny L. Kolhage Commissioner David Rice Commissioner Sylvia Murphy (SEAL) ATTEST: AMY HEAVILIN, CLERK By: Deputy Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Mayor Heather Carruthers Page 5 of 5 d!± !t:»:. x >» x:.<v= <v»« »_«< <:!2 ¥»><!± x>»«**¥ 2 � ::%:¥ . � �� � � \ � }�\ ,:� \ \ ^ .� : � \ � ° / � , : } \ �±>� § : �« � �� (�� \� \� \ ° / / � \ \ } \ ~� . : \ � < : � y \ \ y : � � � ° f f , � ( \ ƒ. \ \ \ . \ � : � ��6�./.+./:.. � y d d\�� , \> » � ^ \ �/�\ � s � » � � � : � � : y .� � 2 \ / « 2 : : }� 7� \ � � � �^^ � ^�� /\ \ � � : 2 � t:© �� \ \ « \ � / } \ \ a . \ � � d � .� \ \�\ \�� �� .ƒ RIM, County of Monroe The Florida Keys Monroe County Board of County Commissioners Office of the County Administrator The Historic Gato Cigar Factory 1100 Simonton Street, Suite 205 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 292-4441 —Phone (305) 292A.544 - Fax September 18, 2015 Mr. Peter AnIonacci, Executive Director 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 znz�� BOARD!2F COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Mayor Danny L. Knihap. District I Mayor Pro Tcm Heather Carruthers. District 3 George Neugent. District 2 Da%id Rice, District 4 Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5 Last week, at the September 3, 2015 Meeting, there were two critical presentations to the Water Resources Advisory Commission (WRAQ regarding 1) the Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS) for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and 2) an update on water conditions in Florida Bay. While seemingly unrelated, for Monroe County, these are not unrelated presentations. The most alarming point of discussion was reference to the fact that several indicators in Florida Bay are "tracking" conditions at levels that led to its horrible collapse in 1987. While we know Districtwide levels of rainfall have been extremely diverse this year, and particularly low in the most southern part of the Everglades system, we are very concerned that the Bay*s current conditions warrant further scrutiny and action. This is especially concerning given that the 2016 Water Year does not look promising for the Bay either. In this same meeting, there was a presentation to the WRAC on the CERP IDS. As we all know, the IDS serves as the blueprint for CERP projects. It includes "foundational" or "Pre-CERP" projects that must be in place to maximize the benefits of CERP projects once they are constructed. In the MS, the projects that would benefit Florida Bay include: Modified Water Deliveries (currently in operational testing for a 2018 completion) C- I I I South Dade Contracts 8 & 9 (completion in 2019) C-1 I I South Dade PACR (construction and completion am unclear in the IDS, because only design, real estate and testing are listed) C-1 11 Spreader Canal Western Project (completion 2021 with design and real estate acquisition not occurring until 2019) The presentation on the IDS states that this particular version: "Improves conditions and flow through WCA-3 and provides more water to ENP and FL Bay as early as possible." With the dates for some of these projects as far out as 2021 for project completion, we are concerned that this schedule will not benefit the Florida Bay in as timely a fashion as appears now to be necessary. (Ae ep!JOI=l PUe U014eJO4SOU saps' aan : L3 L) d 3iou luuop! : ua uou It would be helpful for the County to have a better picture on exactly what actions the SFWMD is taking currently to expedite these projects and any other operational actions that can be taken to alleviate the current conditions in Florida Bay. A distinct timeline for projects, shifts in operations and any other actions would be helpful. Again, while we understand that the current weather conditions are challenging to say the least in this part of the system, prolonged project schedules are not helping the situation. We should be looking for every opportunity to accelerate these projects to assure the Bay is protected. I would also like to extend an invitation to the SFWMD to make a presentation to our Board of County Commission on the issues concerning the health of the Florida Bay and the schedule for projects most relevant to the preservation and protection of the health of the Bay. Rcspect man Gastesi County Administrator CountyMonroe County Mayor Danny Kolhage Monroe County Commissioner Mayor Pro Tern Heather Carruthers Monroe County Commissioner George Neugent Monroe David IM m Mayor Pro TernNeugent I WHEREAS, the waters of the Florida Keys are connected to and dependent on the nearshore estuarine environment; and National WHEREAS, Monroe County's coast line encompasses Florida Bay, the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary andEvergladesNationaland the FKNMS x+approximately. 1 ` 1Florida w.fwithin theboundaries ofEverglades Nationaland WHEREAS, the ecological health 1the coastal1marine resources of Monroe County inextricablyis linked to o Florida andEvergladesNationaland WHEREAS, Florida Bay comprises a significant portion of the coastal Everglades . 1stoT.ecrab WHEREAS, the ecosystem of the Florida Keys including Florida Bay attracts over 4 1 1 A 1 sales tax revenue I for the Stateof Florida 1:. M RIM, ZOELE03= WHEREAS, the health of Florida Bay is vital to the multi -billion dollar fishing and Tmmercial and recreational fishing, snorkeling, diving, boat and equipment rentals, and other related businesses; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County recognizes that the restoration of America's Everglades is critical to the long-term sustainability of South Florida's economy, quality of life, and environment; and WHEREAS, these restoration projects are funded by the federal and state government 6F,,A&_O1; e_� lectin� �jf_ - - �rotectir threatened and endangered species; and WHEREAS, lack of freshwater flow, coupled with unseasonably low rainfall over the past year, have led to high salinity in Florida Bay which has contributed to resultant mass scagrass die -offs that may continue to worsen; and WHEREAS, scientists caution that a harmful algal bloom in Florida Bay is possible as a result of the widespread sea grass decomposition that could lead to further habitat loss for a number of species, a disaster from which it would take many years to recover; and WHEREAS, the dire situation in Florida Bay is a symptom of a larger water crisis plaguing Florida whereby northern coastal estuaries arc being inundated by Lake Okeechobee lack of infrastructure for treatment and storage of water and restoration of flow; and WHEREAS, in years past the agencies involved in management of Florida Bay and Everglades restoration projects held a bi-annual Florida Bay Science Conference, which was a science and MzLs%rcnt conditions management of Florida Bay; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County that - The state and federal agency partners that implement South Florida restoration projects (the South Florida Water Management District, Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) are urged to expedite full implementation of planned restoration projects, and operate them in a manner designed to maximize restoration goals and ecological benefits to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay without delay or minimization. 2. The bi-annual Florida Bay Science Conference be reinitiated to promote a deeper understanding of the current conditions, science, and management of Florida Bay. Mayor Pro Tem Neugent 3. We invite the South Florida Water Management District to attend a Commission meeting to discuss issues related to the impacts of the current crisis in Florida Bay and to outline a plan moving forward for the construction and operation of critical restoration projects that will help to prevent similar catastrophes from occurring in the future. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 9`h day of December, 2015. Mayor Heather Carruthers Mayor pro tem George Neugent Commissioner Danny L. Kolhage Commissioner David Rice Commissioner Sylvia Murphy (SEAL) I Yes Yet Yes -.-- Yes RIM, Mayor Pro Tem Neugent 5 M, # # 1 fit J XVI WHEREAS, the waters of the Florida Keys are connected to and dependent on the Everglades landscape as the primary source of fresh water that serves as the foundation of the nearshore estuarine environment; and WHEREAS, Monroe County's coast line encompasses Florida Bay, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Everglades National Park; and WHEREAS, Florida Bay is within the vitally important ecosystem located between the zrtelf,20-911/0 of Florida Ba- q, within the boundaries of the FKNMS and approximately 80% of Florida Bay widtin the boundaries of Everglades National Park; and WHEREAS, the ecological health of the coastal and marine resources of Monroe County is inextricably linked to that of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park; and WHEREAS, Florida Bay comprises a significant portion of the coastal Everglades fisheries worth more than S80 million annually, and WHEREAS, the ecosystem of the Florida Keys, including Florida Bay, attracts over 4 sales tax revenue for the State of Florida each year; and WHEREAS, the health of Florida Bay is vital to the multi -billion dollar fishing and commercial and recreational fishing, snorkeling, diving, boat and equipment rentals, and other related businesses; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida recognizes that the restoration of America's Everglades is critical to the long-term sustainability of South Florida's economy, quality of life, and environment; and WHEREAS, these restoration projects are funded by the federal and state government with goals of restoring wetlands, ecosystems, national parks and wildlife refuges and protecting threatened and endangered species; and RIM, Mayor Pro Tem Neugent WHEREAS, lack of freshwater flow, coupled with unseasonably low rainfall over thcz past year, have led to high salinity in Florida Bay which has contributed to resultant mass seagrass die -offs that may continue to worsen.- and WHEREAS, scientists caution that a harmful algal bloom in Florida Bay is possible as a result of the widespread sea grass decomposition that could lead to further habitat loss for a number of species, a disaster from which it would take many years to recover; and WHEREAS, the dire situation in Florida Bay is a symptom of a larger water crisis plaguing Florida whereby northern coastal estuaries are being inundated by Lake Okeechobee lack of infrastructure for treatment and storage of water and restoration of flow; and WHEREAS, the firsh water that should contribute to the natural, slow, sheet flow of water through the Everglades to Florida Bay keeping the Bay healthy is instead diverted, upsetting the balance of salinity and creating a poor environment for wildlife and seagrasses; WHEREAS, the capture, storage, treatment, and conveyance of water southward through Florida Bay; WHEREAS, projects in the southern Everglades such as those related to the C- I I I canal and CERP "foundational" projects such as the Modified Water Delivery pwjects most directly impact water flow to, and conditions within, the Florida Bay; and WHEREAS, the urgent salinity issues in the Florida Bay may warrant that these projects be considered among the priorities for the funding appropriated with this legislation; and WHEREAS, this bill will direct funding to restoration projects that address water quality and water quantity throughout the Everglades; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida: 1. The above recitals are hereby incorporated into this resolution as restated herein and constitute the legislative findings and intent of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida. P. The Board supports an appropriation from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the minimum of the lesser of 25% or $200 million for Everglades restoration projects. RIM, Mayor Pro Tem Neugent I The Clerk for this Board shall furnish copies of this resolution to Governor Scott, Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli, Senate President Andy Gardiner, House Appropriations Chair Richard Corcoran, Senate Appropriations Chair Tom Lee, House Appropriations Sub -Committee Chair Ben Albritton, Senate Appropriations Sub -Committee Chair Alan Heys, and the legislative delegation for Monroe County as soon as reasonably possible. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 20'h day of January, 2016. oil Commissioner Davi Rice Commissioner Sylvia Murphy STATE OF FLA)RIDA COUNTY OF MONROE This Copy is a True copy of dw 04nal on File In tbb Off" WIWOW my hand and Official Seal. Vo FAL=M V;=*jz41111 is, I I By: Mayor '*N7 (Ae8 eplaold pue uolleaOISOU s8pelBa9A3 £686) dnMoes Ieuolllppb :Iuauayoe11V50 m MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS rZ <a� EVERGLADES AND FLORIDA BAY ISSUES AND PRIORITIES a' STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE: The time is now to build capacity to store excess water within the overall Everglades system and capture water discharged to the coastal estuaries for more beneficial deliveries south, east and west. This also requires modifying the conveyance systems to send water south to the Southern Everglades and Florida Bay. Projects related to storage options south of Lake Okeechobee (EAA Storage, ASR / Decomp Phase 2) are being postponed until 2026. The Central Everglades Planning Project is critical to this equation. Without more storage Florida Bay will continue to be v ry vulnerable in every drought MINIMUM FLOW AND LEVEL (•IMFL") COMPLIANCE ISSUES: The MFL for Florida Bay was violated with exceedances in 2009/2009 and again in 2014/2015. An exceedance is either when there is 1) a 30 day average salinity of greater than 30 practical salinity units ("psu") at Taylor River in Everglades National Park or 2) a 365 day flow from 5 monitored creeks feeding Florida Bay is less than 105,000 acre-feet. Violations were not anticipated to occur in the Rule, so a "prevention strategy" is outlined which includes numerous projects such as Modified Water Deliveries, C-111 and the C-11 i Spreader Canal. The projects in this "prevention strategy" are not fully completed and operational yet. Currently, while more water has been flowing to the Bay, that still doesn't ameliorate the seagrass die off we had from summer/fall 2015 which was just as significant in scope (21,000 acres) as the die off in 1989-90 (23,000 acres). The science is showing that it is very likely we could experience algai blooms by the summer -fall of 2016 or soon after. Spoonbill nesting (and other wading birds) has been poor to date for this season, and will hopefully improve in the next couple of weeks, but this timeframe is at least 90 days later than it should be. We ask that lire SFWMD make meeting MFLs in Florida Bay a higher priority Given the likelihood of another large algal bloom, what are the conhngencv plans to combat that so it is not a complete collapse of the system or threat to human health? EXPEDITE PROJECTS THAT HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON FLORIDA BAY: The County requests that the SFWMD expedite these projects and any other operational actions that can be taken to improve conditions in Florida Bay. Most are already part of the MFL prevention strategy. • From the 2016 version of the Integrated Delivery Schedule ("IDS"), the projects that would benefit Florida Bay include: o Modified Water Deliveries (currently in operational testing for a 2018 completion) o C-1 I I South Dade Contracts 8& 9 (completion in 2019) o C-1II South Dade PACR (construction and completion are unclear in the IDS, because only design, real estate and testing by 2022 are listed) o C-1 I I Spreader Canal Western Project (completion 2021 with design and real estate acquisition not occurring until 2019) With the dates for some of these nrolects as for out as 2021, tive are concerned that this schedule will not benefit the Florida Bav in as tinhe(y a fashion ac appears now to be necessary especiallk,considering that most of these ro'ec s are com.penents o the MFL12revenflonstrategy- The County is supportive of the SFWMD's current "South Dade investigation" exploring the full range water management options south of Tamiami Trail. Draft initial options were presented to the Governing Board last month, but these options need to optimize restoration opportunities for Florida Bay. That said, it is unclear how and when those options will be implemented in the context of already planned projects. It would be helpful to have a clegow strategy tlhal outlines w those o do s will be co 1 ted rmi t d and im pled. Monroe County BOCC I Meeting with SFWMD March 4, 2016, West Palm Beach