Resolution 419-2019 MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA
MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION NO. 419 -2019
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS URGING FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE
SANCTUARY TO LISTEN TO STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS AND
SUGGESTIONS,AND TO NOT LIMIT PUBLIC ACCESS UNNECESSARILY;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on November 16, 1990, Congress designated the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary (FKNMS)to be protected under management of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration(NOAA); and
WHEREAS,NOAA's current management of the sanctuary is based on its 1997 final environmental
impact statement(EIS)and a 2007 revised management plan; and
WHEREAS, the 1997 EIS and 2007 management plans implemented sanctuary-wide regulations
and established the nation's first comprehensive network of marine zones in the FKNMS after years of
planning,design, and public input; and
WHEREAS, in September 2011 NOAA published the"Condition Report"for the FKNMS,the first
attempt to comprehensively describe the status, pressures and trends of resources in the sanctuary and
should be used in conjunction with the more detailed summaries of the individual monitoring and research
programs(e.g.,zone monitoring program,water quality protection program, etc.); and
WHEREAS, the 2011 Conditions Report helps identify strengths in current monitoring efforts, as
well as factors that may require monitoring and potential remediation in the years to come and provide
guidance for future management challenges. For example, this report supports the need for additional
management actions that address the degraded conditions of some key habitats and living resources in the
sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, due to the 2011 Conditions Report, FKNMS is updating its management plan and
recently released "Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: A Restoration Blueprint" to help counteract
the decline in resource condition in the Florida Keys through a series of regulatory and management
measures designed to reduce threats and, where appropriate, restore coral reefs, seagrasses, and other
important habitats; and
WHEREAS,the FKNMS is holding a series of public meetings for stakeholders to learn more about
the Restoration Blueprint proposal and is accepting Public comments in person,online,and by mail through
January 31,2020; and
WHEREAS,after the public comment period ends,the comments will be reviewed,and NOAA will
formally propose a set of draft regulations to establish changes. There will be another round of public
comments on the refined proposal. Subsequently, if NOAA moves forward with a final action, a final
environmental impact statement and final notice of proposed rulemaking will be published in the Federal
Register. That would be followed by an opportunity for review by the governor of Florida as well as by
Congress. It is expected that implementation of any final action to occur approximately three years
following public release of the Restoration Blueprint; and
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WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognizes the
recreational and commercial importance of the marine resources of the Florida Keys,and protecting these
sanctuary resources is valuable not only for the environment but also for the economy;and
WHEREAS,the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners(BOCC) recognizes the special
marine resources of the region,which led to the area's designation as a national marine sanctuary,contribute
to the high quality of life for residents and visitor, without these unique marine resources, the quality of
both life and the economy of the Keys would decline;and
WHEREAS,the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners(BOCC)recognizes Public input
is vitally important determine the future of the Florida Keys and strongly encourages FKNMS to listen to
stakeholder comments and suggestions,and to not limit public access unnecessarily;and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA:
Section 1. Monroe County urges Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to iisten to stakeholder
comments and suggestions,and not limit public access unnecessarily.
Section 2. Direct the Clerk to transmit copies of this resolution to the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary (FKNMS), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission(PWC).
Section 3. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a regular meeting held on the 20th day of November 2019.
Mayor Heather Carruthers Yes
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Coldiron Yes
Commissioner Danny L. Kolhage Absent
Commissioner David Rice Yes
Commissioner Sylvia J. Murphy Yes
Q BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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ATTI': KEVIN MADOK,CLERK
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DEPUTY CLERK MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY r .t�
APPROVED A TO RM
OBER SHILLINGER
COUNTY ATTORNEY
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