Item O3
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: Sept 21, 2005
Division:
BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes
No-L
Department: Neugent
Staff Contact Person: T. Marble
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, endorsing
the II-mile elevated "Skyway over the Everglades" (Tamiami Trail) alternative in the modified waters
delivery project.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
ST AFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
NA
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty -1L. OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management _
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
George R, Neugent
(TYPE NAME HERE)
DOCUMENTATION:
Ind uded x
Not Required ~
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 2105
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MODERNIZING TAMIAMI TRAIL
More than 75 years
ago, Miami business-
man
James
Franklin
Jaudon
had a
dream -
to build a
r 0 a d
through the impenetra-
ble swamp from
Tampa to Miami. His
quest took 15 years and
stressed the limits of
man and machine. But
in 1928, the road
opened to parades, a
caravan
of cars and beaming
civic leaders, Today,
Jaudon's legacy, the
Tamiami Trail, still
provides passage
across the Everglades,
but it is also severely
harming one of Amer-
ica's greatest wetlands.
Letthe Water Flow
Tamiami Trail is not
just a road. It is also a
-
SIERRA
CLUB
rOUNIHO 18')2
Already in Use
Elevating a road is not
a new idea. In Louisi-
ana, highways have
been elevated over
wetlands for decades.
Interstate 10 provides
safe travel and breath-
taking views for travel-
portant to get it right.
ers while avoiding the
water and wildlife
crossing below. Best for Everglades
The Everglades Sky-
way is already the en-
vironmentally-
preferred alternative of
the Government agen-
cies. The Skyway has
also been endorsed by
a committee of federal
Visit www.build-the-skyway.com or call 305-860-9888 for more information
dam. Tamiami Trail
blocks the flow of fresh
water into Everglades
National Park and the
world-class fisheries of
Florida Bay. Scientists
say the solution is to
build an elevated road-
way, or "skyway," to
restore 98 percent of
the natural flow into
the Everglades. This
elevated road would
span 11 miles over the
Shark River Slough,
the main water passage
into Everglades Na-
tional Park and Florida
Bay.
Opportunity is Now
In 2005, the Everglades
can have what Louisi-
ana has known for
years - an elevated
roadway. The U.S.
Army Corps of Engi-
neers will consider sev-
eral options for restor-
ing flow across Tami-
ami Trail. They range
from a small 3,000 ft.
span to a full 11 mile
Skyway. Because their
decision can affect the
health of the Ever-
glades forever, it's im-
PAGE 2
and state scientists working on
Everglades Restoration. The
Federal Government
will hold public
hearings and receive
public comment in
the summer of 2005
and issue a final de-
cision by year's end.
Supporters of the
Skyway are not lim-
ited to environmental groups.
They cover a wide range of in-
terests from businesses, to civic
organizations.
ject's engineering contracts
could generate a massive infu-
sion of
jobs in
new
tourism
and eco-
nomic
develop-
ment.
The 11-
mile elevated roadway is also
the best financial long-term
choice of all the options. The
skyway costs $20 million per
mile compared to the estimated
$30 million per mile for a 4 mile
bridge or $50 million per mile
for a half mile span.
"...full restoration of the
Everglades will not occur
unless unrestricted flow is
reestablished... "
Benefit to the Community
The estimated cost of the Ever-
glades Skyway is less than 3
percent of the $8.4 billion Ever-
glades Restoration project. Esti-
mated at $250 million, the 11-
mile elevated roadway is esti-
mated to provide a sizeable re-
turn on investment to South
Florida for decades. The pro-
I How can you help?
Contact your representatives
to let them know that you
support the full II-mile
Skyway over Tamiami Trail.
u.s. Senator Bill Nelson
DC office: 202-224-5274, Fax: 202-
228-2183
Orlando office: 407-872-7161 (toll free
from Florida at 1-888-671-4091), Fax:
407-872-7165
senator@billnelson.senate.gov
- Science Coordination Team,
}Wle 2001
Restoration needs a Symbol
The Skyway is not only a vital
restoration project, it is a visual
symbol of America's commit-
ment to restore the Everglades.
A recent internal government
memo complained that the Corps
u.s. Senator Mel Martinez
DC Office: 202-224-3041, Fax: 202-
228-5171
Orlando Office: 407-254-2573, Fax:
407-423-0941
E-mail from this site:
http://martinez.senate.gov/index.cfm
FuseAction=Contact.Home'
u.s. Representative Mario Diaz
Balart
DC office: (202) 225-2778
Fax: (202) 226-0346
Miami office: (305) 225-6866
Fax: (305) 225-7432
of Engineers had nothing to
show for five years of work. An
elevated Skyway could change
that downward spiral. Driving
over the Skyway, visitors lured
by international press will see
what restoration is
The Future
If the Skyway isn't built, the
future for the Everglades is dim.
Florida Bay's health will dete-
riorate. The landscape of the
Everglades will become an un-
recognizable mass of uncon-
nected vegetation. Animals and
birds will die. But the same hu-
man ingenuity that built Tami-
ami Trail can modernize it so
that the Everglades can thrive.
Our children and theirs deserve
no less.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush
Phone: 850/488-4441
Fax: 850/487-0801
ieb.bush@mvf1orida.com
To volunteer your time or
resources to our campaign,
contact Jonathan Ullman, Sierra
Club at 305-860-9888 or e-mail
jonathan.ullman@sierraclub.org
Visit our website:
www.build-the-skyway.com
PARK
FACT SHEET
Raising Tamiami Trail to a Skyway
Restoring Natural Water Flows through Everglades National Park
Issue - Tamiami Trail, built in 1929, creates a dam and obstructs the flow of water to Everglades
National Park from the rest of the Everglades ecosystem. Raising the Trail to an II-mile skyway is
the only way to restore the natural hydrologic ecologic health of the existing "River of Grass".
Background - Everglades National Park is possibly our most threatened national park because of
the impact of man-made alterations to the surrounding ecosystem. Historically the Everglades
stretched from the Kissimmee chain of Lakes, into Lake Okeechobee, through the "River of Grass"
and out Florida Bay and to the Keys. Tamiami Trail blocks this natural pattern of sheet flow and
ecological connection between Everglades National Park and the Water Conservation Areas.
Canals and levees for flood protection and water supply also unnaturally separate the ecosystem.
In 1989 Congress authorized the Modified Water Deliveries (MWD) Project to improve the
ecological and hydrological connectivity of Everglades National Park to the rest of the ecosystem.
In this project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to bridge a portion of Tamiami Trail in
order to redirect and increase the flow of water to the Park in a more historic pattern. The
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, authorized by Congress in 2000, contains another
project, Decompartmentalization and Sheet Flow Enhancement (Decomp). This project will
remove other barriers, including Tamiami Trail, between the unnaturally separated segments of the
Everglades in order to restore the natural patterns of sheet flow.
Recent scientific data shows that the flow of water through the ecosystem is a crucial part of the
historic Everglades and must be reestablished. Tamiami Trail is a major barrier to flow that must
be removed. Together, these two projects can work hand-in-hand to build an II-mile skyway.
Problem - At the moment, only 3 miles of bridging for Tamiami Trail is proposed under the
MWD project. The costs of the MWD project recently skyrocketed, yet the plan for the Trail did
not improve, nor will the Park get any increased restoration benefits with this cost increase. The
Decomp project is delayed by almost 10 years. The certainty of these two projects being
coordinated well and in time to stop further damage to the Everglades is diminished.
Solution - The Park and the Corps now have the chance to choose either the full skyway instead of
the 3 miles of bridging. The Skyway will provide immediate benefits to Everglades National Park
and will provide the best link to the future restoration project.
The skyway will prove to be a vital tourist attraction for South Florida by providing a unique
vantage point for visitors to see and understand this important ecosystem, first-hand. Restoring the
historical, natural sheet flow is crucial for ensuring the conservation and protection of Everglades
National Park and the Everglades ecosystem.
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION @ August 2005
National Office: Sun Coast Regional Office:
1300 19th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 3475 Sheridan Street, Suite 307, Hollywood, FL 33021
Office: 202-223-NPCA (6722) Fax: 202-659-0650 Office: 954-961-1280 Fax: 954-985-8047
noca@nocaorl!. www.noca,orl!.
r-------,
SouthFlorida Ecosystem Restoration
Task Force/Working Group'
Coordination Team
June 12,2001
Colonel James G. May
District Commander
Jacksonville Tlimict
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 4970
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0019
Dear Colonel May:
The Science Coordination Team (SCl) of the South Florida Ecosystem
Restoration WuIkiog Group, through a comcnsus recol'n1'rlAftdntion, urges the Corps of
Engineers to consider the overwhelming scientific opinion that full ecological restoration
of the Everglades will not occur unless unrestricted flow is reestablished across the entire
IO.7-mile span ofTamiami Trail between 8-333 and 8-334. In particular, Alternative 5 -
an elevated roadway (bridge) fur the entire span - cmrently under consideration in the
General Reevaluation Report and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
(GRRlSEIS) fur the TamiAmi Trail Component of the Modified Water Deliveries Project,
appears to be the alternative most closely aligned with this scientific opinion. We
recognize that this letter precedes the release of the GRRlSEIS, but believe it is important
to express our concerns and opinions as early in the process as possible.
The importance of reestablishing the natural ecological connectivity that was
severed by the construction of the Trail cannot be overemphasized. Even though a series
of smaller bridges and/or culverts can provide the required volumes of water to portions
of Northeast Shark River Slough, true restoration requires recreation of the historical
distribution of all aspects of flow, including water flow, physical and chemical transport
mechAnilnm, and biological connectivity. This level of restoration would remain
unrealized without a continuous elevated structure allowing fur unobstructed flows and
transport of water, dissolved and particuJate material, and biota. ~_
Despite the paucity of research addressing the importance of flow distribution at
this scale in the Everglades, the scientific community in south Florida bas stressed the
importance of removing barriers to sheet flow where feasible. Three decades of aquatic
ecology research in the US and other countries clearly demonstrate the importance of
moving water to the maintenance of essential ecosystem processes, such as the cycling of
nut.rienl.~ 1.bc t.ca.wiport of organk matter, maintenance of dissolved oxygen, and other
necessary functions. The SCT is developing a white paper summarizing the science
addressing the importance offlow and flow distribution fur use by the Corps of Engineers
in evaluating Tamiami Trail alternatives, and identifYing specific research needs to
improve our knowledge of this important topic. Toward this end, the SeT is drawing
SOllth~Flurida Ecosystem Restoration
Task Force/Working Group
Coordina tiOD Team
heavily on the outcome of a flow workshop at the Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Restoration (GEER) Science Conference held in December 2000.
The Rverglades landscape itself provides evidence of the need for unobstructed
water and particulate flows if the current landscape is contrasted with the prtHlrainage
one. Historical analyseS indicate a strong, higbly directional pattern of distinct sawgrass
ridges and open water sloughs. Pr~ge ridge and !llough directionality was aligned
with the downstream flow direction, parallel to the tree is1and alignment still visible
today. In contrast, spatial analysis of the current landscape shows a very different pattern.
Large portions of the conservation areas and Everglades National Park have completely
or partially lost the original ridge and slough pattern. Where water and particulate flow
has been disrupted, the original vegetative and microtopographic pattern has shifted from
strongly d.iJ'e(,1iouallo non-diccctional, or has disappeared altogether. Flow disruptions
have even created new, artifiCial patterns. Patches of shrubby vegetation immediately
downstream from each of the Tamiami Trail culverts reflect increased peat elevations,
apparently from the deposition of sediments. All avaihtble information suggests that
restoration of the ridge and slough landscape in Water Conservation Area 3B and in
Northeast Shark Slough can only occur with unobstructed flow through each of the 40-
odd sloughs. 500-1000 feet wide, that originally crossed this portion ofTamiami Trail
We believe that full restoration of the flow and flow distnbution across the Trail
is supported strongly by the collective professional judgment of the scientific community
in numerous agencies, tnbes, academia, NGOs, and the general public. This is a case
where, although specific research projects regarding flow in the Everglades are in their
early stages. professional opinion is consistent and forms a sufficient basis for
preliminary decision-lNIlring. There are other critical junctures in Everglades restoration
where, in the absence of definitive scientific data, collective professional judgment
formed the foundation for well-justified and timely decisions. One example is the
selection ofmassive and expensive Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) as one of the
means to achieve interim phosphorus red1,1ction goals, despite the lack of specific
research addressing their constructability and absolute effectiveness. It is now well
known that STAs can achieve phosphorus reduction results far better than initially
projected,
The Tamiami Trail restoration project is the first major Everglades action toward
restoration of the ecological and hydrological integrity of the central and southern
Everglades. The project is higbly visible and has generated considerable public interest.
.AS such, the public perception of this project will set the precedent for future restoration
activities in south Florida. If the Corps of Engineers seeks the full restoration
opportunities afforded by flow restoration, the public support and enthusiasm which all of
us have worked so hard to gain will be enhanced. It wuuld be unfortunate to lose the
momentum that has been gained.
Finally, ~ cannot overstate the importance that this GRR/SEIS to the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Decompartmentalization (CERP) Project
(phase I). It is our understanding that the GRRISEIS alternatives presently favored by the
Corps of Engineers involve adding thousands of cubic yards of:fill material to raise the
SouthFlorida Ecosystem Restoration
Task Force/Working Group
cience Coordination Team
entire 10.7-mile Tamiami Trail roadbed. This type of alternative is absolutely counter to
the restoration of Everglades sheet flow, and will necessitate the expensive retrofitting of
the Tamiami Tml during the DecompartmentaJization (phase 1) Project in an effort to
provide full connectivity to Shark River Slough and Everglades National Park. In effect,
an alternative of this nature is a "throw-away" project that unnecessarily wastes precious
restoration dollars -- and public confidence in goVernment,
We recognize the limitations imposed by funding for this project under the current
Modified Water Deliveries and CERP authorities, but hope that this lack offunding will
not serve as the basis for selecting an imperfect and undesirable alternative. We urge the
Corps to pursue all mechAmmT1S available to assure implementation of Alternative 5,
including any increased funding that might be necessary. We would be happy to provide
any assistance or support Lhat you may need in accking fiJndin& and in implementing the
full restoration of flow across this portion ofTamiami Trail.
Thank you very much for considering this SCT consensus recommendation. You
have our
Best Wishes,
~
......G. Ronnie Best, Ph.D., PWS
~ Coordioation Team Co-clJair
-----
John Ogden
Science Coordination
cc (electronic): SFER Working Group Members
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EliDbetb Rockwell
MJami-D8de MPO
111 NW F1nt SlI9JO
MWm. Florida 33128
305.375.1881
305,315.4950 (fax)
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July 28, 2005
Colonel Robert M. Carpenter
District Engineer
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville, Florida 32232
Dear Colonel Carpenter:
Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization' s (MPO) Citizens'
Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) would like to present you with
Resolution 6-OS adopted on Wednesday. April 27, 2005 that supports the Tamiami
Everglades Skyway project II-mile preferred alternative and requires one hundred
percent of the funding come from the Modified Waters Delivery Project funds
and/or the 58.4 billion authorized for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Project (CERP),
CTAC realizes the importance oftbis project in restoring the Everglades' natural
flow to ensure the preservation of our entire south Florida ecosystem. Without a
'healthy system. esseutia1 functions such as minimizing flooding. filtering our
drinking water, and providing habitat for thousands of flora and fauna species is
jeopardized.
CTAC was created in 1983 as a result of a Federal mandate and provides a forum for
citizens to become involved in the transportation planning process. The Committee
coOlists of a group of active citizens who advise the MPO Governing Board and the
Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (BCe) on aU transportation related
projects within the County.
At this time., CT AC would like to invite you to our monthly meeting. at your earliest
convenience, to discuss how we, as a group. can work with the United States Army
Corps of Engineers to fitrtber support this project that will benefit aU those who rely
on the Everglades ecosystem.
Please feel free to contact our Secretariat, Elizabeth Rockwell. with any questions or
comments and to let her know when you can attend our meeting at 305.375.1881.
We look forward to your attendance.
Sincerely.
yt'~ ~
Mike Hatcher, Chair
CTAC
Cc: Jose-Luis Mesa, MPO Director
lruy1 San Roman, MPODeputy Director
(..E(JAbetb RockweIl,CT AC Secretariat
CTAC RESOLUTION #6-05
RESOLUTION RECOM.l\1ENDING TilE J\.'IPO GOVERNING BOARD
AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS A RESOLUTION
IN SUPPORT OF THE T AMIAMI I<:VERGI.ADES SKYWAY PROJECT
ll-MILI<: PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ..\l'JD RI<;QUIRING ONfI;
HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE FUl'lDING COME FROM THE
MODIFIED 'WATERS DELIVERY PROJECT FUNDS AND/OR THE $8.4
BILLION AUTHORIZED FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES
RESTOR>\TION PROJECT (CERP)
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners aud the Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) have established the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CT AC)
to advise it on transportation related matters, and
WHEREAS, Tamiami Trail, the 70~mile. two-lane road that links the east and west coasts
of south Florida from Miami to Naples cuts through the heart of the Everglades, intemlpting the
natural flow of water to .AJnerica's most threatened wetlands wilderness, and
WHEREAS. the CT AC recognizes that in order to protect and enhance the natured flow
of water to the Everglades, the Tamiami TraH, built in 1928. must be transformed into a modem
"skyway". an environmentally sound elevated roadway that would allow unrestricted flow and
rest<Jration to Shark River Slough, the central artery of the Everglades, and
WHEREAS. the proposed "skyv.'ay" would be similar to what has been built in
Louisiana, where visitors to its majestic bayous can proudly view these natural treasures on
elevated higll\vays while imposing minimal impact on water flow and wildlife movement. and
\~lHEREAS. in 2001, the Science Coordination Team of the South Florida Restoration
Task Force recommended in a consensus letter to Colonel May that the preferred alternative is to
raise the entire II-mile section and stated that only by building the "sky"...ay" could full
restoration be achieved. and
WHERAS. Congress authorized $8.4 billion tor the CERP to restore and preserve the
Everglades and CTAC recommends that one hundred percent of these funds or the Modified
Waters Delivery Project funds should pay for the construction of the II-mile Tamiami
Everglades Skyway project. and
WHEREAS, the CT AC recognizes that the Tamiami Everglades Skyway would provide
one of the greatest benetits for water and wildlife in the entire Everglades restoration plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION
ADVISORY COMM1TI'EE (CTAC) OF THE METROPOLITAN PLA1\'NING ORGAN'JZATION
FOR THE MIAMI URBANIZED AREA:
SECTION 1: That the CT AC recommends the MPO Governing Board and Board Of County
Commissioners suppon the Tamiami Everglades Skyway project II-mile preferred alternative
and requiring one hundred percent of the funding come from the Modified Waters Delivery
Project funds and/or the $8.4 billion aUlhorized for the CERP.
The foregoing resolution was offered by John Westbrook, who moved its adoption. The motion
was seconded by Paul Schwiep, and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as foHows:
Rolando Acosta
Andrew Burgess
Wendy Carr
Kewleth Camo
Rafael CasaJs
Joseph M, Corradino
Jose j. de Almagro
Carlos Diaz Padron
\Villie Duckworth
Daniel Fils-Aime
Joseph Fontana
William Gardner, Jr.
Hudson Gaulman. Jr.
Jose Garrido
Mac Glasgow
Malou Harrison
- Absent
-Aye
-Nay
-Aye
- Absent
- Aye
- Aye
- Aye
- Aye
-Aye
-Aye
-Ave
-Aye
- Absent
-Nay
- Absent
Frank Hernandez
Ramon lrigoyen
Marlon L Keny. Sr.
Mario Martinez-Malo
Martin Nash
Emma Pringle
Ramon Ramos
Paul SChwiep
Lee Swerdlin
Janak Thakkar
Jefirey Wander
Norman Wartrnan
John Westbrook
Naomi Wright
;\.ndrea Y ounS!:
Frank Zeinali""
- Ave
- Absent
-Ave
- Absent
- Aye
- Aye
-Ave
. Aye
- Absent
- Aye
- Ave
- Absent
- Ave
- ~A,bsen t
- Aye
- Aye
The Chairperson thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and approved this 27th day of
April 2005.
Chairperson Mike Hatcher - A)'e
By
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI 8EACH FLORIDA 33139
www,miamibeachft ov
OffIce of the City Manager
Telephone 305-173
Facsimile 305-673.
July 12. 2005
Colonel Robert M. Carpenter
District Engineer
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville. District
PO, Box 4970
Jacksonville. FL 32232-0019
Dear Colonel Carpenter:
The Florida Everglades is one of the most unique ecosystems in the United States. and also one of
the most endangered, The Everglades is essential in minimizing flooding. filtering our drinking water,
and providing habitat for thousands of species of plants. birds. animals. fish and reptiles. The
Everglades' waters nourish plant and animal life. evaporation provides cooling, clouds, wind and
rain. and its waters soak deep IntO the shallow limestone underground aquifers and rivers, pushing
back the brackish coastal waters of Florida bay, However. human development has caused havoc
on the Everglades ecosystem which in tum has affected a great many ecosystems throughout South
Florida,
The City of Miami Beach supports the development and Implementation of the multi-billion dollar
comprehensIve restoration plan to restore the Everglades back to a healthy ecosystem. As such. the
City has passed Resolution No, 2005-25935 urging the United States Army Corps of Engineers to
select the 11-mile "skyway" over the Tamiami Trail in order to achieve the goals of the Modified
Waters Delivery Project
Attached please find a copy of Resolution No, 2005-25935
Sincerely.
J;;;~~ Q ?5
City Manager
JM~HB\jzr
c / Commissioner Matty Bower
Bob Middaugh, Assistant City Ma'1ager
Fred Beckmann. Public Works Director
Fernando Vazquez. City Engineer
Jordanna Rubin. Environmental Resources Manager
F \WORK\$ALL\JORDANNA RUBINlEvergladeslletter to ACE doc
RESOLtJTION NO. 2005-25935
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
}'LORlDA URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS (ACOE) TO SELECT, AS
AN AL TERNA TIVE IN ITS MODIFIED WATERS
DELIVERY PROJECT, AN ELEVATED 1J MILE
"SKYW A Y" OVER THE T AMIAMI TRAIL TO
SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF TilE
EVERGLADES AND DIRECTING CITY
REPRESENT A TIVES TO SUBMIT LETTERS TO
THE ACOE AND TO THE MIAMI-DADE
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
RECOMMENDING THE CITY'S POSITION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach supports the restoration of America"s
Everglades; and
WHEREAS. the 70 mile two-lane stretch of the Tamiami Trail that links the east
and west coasts of South Florida from Miami to Naples cuts through the heart of the
Everglades. interrupting the natural flow of water to America' s most threatened wetlands
wi Idemess; and
WHEREAS. in order to protect and enhance the natural flow of water to the
Everglades and f'lorida Bay. the Tamiami Trail. built In J 928. must be transformed into
an environmentally-sound elevated roadway or "skyway" that would allow the
unrestricted flow of water and restoration to Shark River Slough. the central artery of the
Everglades; and
WHEREAS, the proposed II-mile "skyway" would be similar to what has been
built In Louisiana. wherc visitors to Its majestic bayous can proudly VIew these natural
treasures on elevated highways while imposing Illlllimal Impact on water flow and
wildlife movement; and
WHEREAS. In 2001. the Science Coordin,ation 'ream of the South Florida
Restoration Task Force recommended. U1 a consensus letter to the Army Corps of
Engineers, that the preferred alternative is to raise the entire II-OllIe section and stated
that. only by building thl;' "skyway" in the Modified Waters Delivery Project could full
restoration be achieved; and
WHEREAS. the 11-mile Skyway over the Everglades would provide a
substantial economic benefit to the City of MiamI Beach by promoting ceo-tourism,
NOW. THEREFORE. BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AN[)
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY O}' MIAMJBEACH:
Section 1 :fhat the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach hereby
urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to choose the prderred environmental
alternative, an II-mile elevated skyway over Tamiami Tr.1l1 in the Modified Waters
Deli very Project; and
Section 2: That the Miami Beach City Manager is hereby directed to send a letter within
30 days to the tLS, Army Corps of Engineers recommending the ) I-mile skyway
alternative~ and
Section 3: That the City of Miami Beach's representatIVe to the Miami-Dade
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hereby directed to send a letter within 30
days to the MPO endorsing the II-mile skyway
PASSED AND ADOPTED this" brh
day of 22005
I
I
XITEST,
~r~~
City Clerk
Robert Parcher
(Requested by Commissioner Matti H. Bower)
APPItOVeD AI 10
FORM & f.ANOI>>Df
& FOR EXECUTION
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