Resolution 085-2017Mayor George Neugent
RESOLUTION NO. 0 8 5 - 2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR THE FEDERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ( 66 EPA 99 )
AND THEIR IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY'S WATER QUALITY
PROTECTION PROGRAM THROUGH FEDERAL
CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS IN FY18
FUNDING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, good water quality is critical to the health of coral reefs and all the habitats
of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary ( FKNMS, the Sanctuary). Changes in water
quality, including increases in levels of specific nutrients, can have serious negative effects on
marine life; and
WHEREAS, a healthy marine environment is essential and the most important
contributor to the economy of the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is unique within
the FKNMS because it is clearly specified and written into the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary Act through the Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the WQPP is to identify and implement priority corrective
actions within a compliance schedule to address point and nonpoint sources of pollution to
maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. The program also
includes the restoration and maintenance of a balanced, indigenous population of corals,
shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water; and
WHEREAS, since 1995, appropriations from Congress to the Florida Keys EPA
administrator for implementation of the WQPP have averaged $2.1 million per year to
implement essential monitoring services for coral, seagrass and water quality; and an additional
$5 million has been applied to important research projects and planning; and
WHEREAS, the monitoring program is the "glue" that holds the WQPP together and
Monroe County recognizes the need for the continuation of the long -term monitoring, research,
and special studies programs to fulfill the mission of the WQPP; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has invested $7 million for canal demonstration projects
and considers the EPA a valuable partner; and
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Mayor George Neugent
WHEREAS, Monroe County was previously awarded Grant Agreement X7- 001326914 -0
for $75,000 cash from EPA in support of two environmental education programs for canals; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County was previously awarded Grant Agreement X7- 001340915 -0
for $73,909.66 from EPA for improving water quality in residential canals; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County was recently awarded Grant Agreement X7- 001340915 -2
for $110,582.00 from EPA to fund phase IIIA of the Canal Management Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County was recently awarded Grant Agreement X7-001341115 for
$13,645 from EPA to fund the environmental education outreach program Florida Keys Water
Watch; and
WHEREAS, EPA awarded a grant of $300,000 to FIU to monitor water quality and
nutrients in Monroe County's demonstration canals; and
WHEREAS, information from these EPA funded long -term monitoring programs
provides critical information into the complex balance of the marine ecosystem in the Florida
Keys and also allows researchers and managers to detect changes in the Sanctuary from upstream
influences; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County and the Florida Keys greatly benefit from the EPA
programs, staff and presence in Monroe County;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The Board requests Federal Legislative support for the Environmental
Protection Agency's role in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Water Quality Protection Program through Federal Congressional
Appropriations in FYI funding.
Section 2. The Board directs the County Administrator to publicize the Board's
position on the Environmental Protection Agency's importance to the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection
Program to the general public.
Section 3. A copy of this Resolution shall be immediately transmitted to Florida and
Federal Legislators to prompt immediate action with transmittal to be
coordinated by the Monroe County Sustainability Coordinator.
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Mayor George Neugent
Section 4. SEVERABILITY If any portion of this Resolution is determined by any
Court to be invalid, the invalid portion shall be stricken, and such striking
shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Resolution. If any
Court determines that this Resolution, or any portion hereof, cannot be
legally applied to any individual(s), group(s), entity (ies), property (ies), or
circumstance(s), such determination shall not affect the applicability
hereof to any other individual, group, entity, property, or circumstance.
Section 5. EFFECTIVE DATE This Resolution shall become effective upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 15 day of March, 2017 in Key Largo,
Florida.
Mayor George Neugent Yes
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice Yes
Commissioner Danny Kolhage Yes_
Commissioner Heather Carruthers Yes
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
,� ho n Madok, Clerk
By: By.
Deputy Clerk Mayor
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