Item O3 0.3
County �� � .�� �y,4 ' �, "tr, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Michelle Coldiron,District 2
�1 nff `ll Mayor Pro Tem David Rice,District 4
-Ile Florida.Keys Craig Cates,District 1
Eddie Martinez,District 3
w � Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
County Commission Meeting
November 17, 2021
Agenda Item Number: 0.3
Agenda Item Summary #9943
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 1
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Amanda Leggett(305) 292-3400
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of
the creation of the National Marine Sanctuary system.
ITEM BACKGROUND: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be
celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of the National Marine Sanctuary system during the
next year. The resolution recognizes the important work that NOAA and the sanctuaries have done
in the Florida Keys and elsewhere.
The Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary was created in 1975 as one of the first designated
sanctuaries in the nation. Looe Key was added to the sanctuary system in 1981. In 1990, the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)was created.
Over the years, the FKNMS has put several protective measures in place to protect local marine
resources including protected zones, the mooring buoy program, and the Water Quality Protection
Program. Additionally, the FKNMS has supported critical research projects by private and public
institutions, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to further understanding of sanctuary
resources. Such areas of scientific investigation include coral health and restoration, disease vectors
and treatments, status and trends of keystone species such as sea turtles and sharks, and climate
change impacts such as ocean acidification.
Additionally, the FKNMS has collaborated on efforts to document underwater historical resources
and create the Shipwreck Trail, which provides historical and archaeological information about nine
distinct shipwreck sites within the sanctuary. NOAA and FKNMS opened the Florida Keys Eco-
Discovery Center in 2007, which has welcomed 750,000 residents, families, school groups, and
visitors from over 85 countries over the years. The Eco-Discovery Center has provided more than
18,500 students with an engaging and interactive platform to learn more about the natural and
cultural wonders that make the Florida Keys unique.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: n/a
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CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
Resolution saluting NMS 50th anniversary
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:
None
REVIEWED BY:
Craig Cates Completed 11/09/2021 1:19 PM
Bob Shillinger Completed 11/09/2021 1:41 PM
Liz Yongue Completed 11/09/2021 2:09 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 11/17/2021 9:00 AM
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A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE, COUNTY, FLORIDA
COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CREATION OF THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
SYSTEM.
WHEREAS, the United States ushered in a new era of ocean conservation when Congress
enacted the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, which created the
National Marine Sanctuary System; and
WHEREAS, since then, the National Marine Sanctuaries program has grown into a
nationwide network of 15 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments that
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conserve more than 620,000 square miles of spectacular ocean and Great Lakes waters, an
area nearly the size of Alaska; and
WEHREAS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under the U.S.
Department of Commerce, has operated the national marine sanctuary system; and
WHEREAS, national marine sanctuaries and monuments support coastal communities and
drive local economies by providing jobs and opportunities for people to discover, recreate, and
form life-long connections with these spectacular places; and y
WEHREAS, sanctuaries connect people and communities through science, education, and ~�
stewardship; and
WHEREAS, these networks inspire community-based solutions that help us understand and
protect our nation's most spectacular underwater habitats, wildlife, archaeological wonders, and
cultural seascapes; and
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WHEREAS, in 1975 Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary joined Monitor as the first two
designated sites; and
WHEREAS, Looe Key was added to the system in 1981; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act into law, forming a new sanctuary in the Florida
Keys; and y
WHEREAS, with this designation, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) put
several protective measures in place to prohibit oil exploration or mining and many other types
of activities that would alter the balance of the ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, some of the notable measures adopted by the FKNMS to protect the Florida
Keys marine resources, including establishing:
• an Area to Be Avoided zone, which helped protect the fragile ecosystem by prohibiting
vessels larger than 164 feet (50 meters) from entering shallow coastal waters;
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• a mooring buoy program as an innovative and effective tool for preventing anchor
damage along coral reefs;
• the Water Quality Protection Program, which has succeeded in implementing projects to
improve and protect water quality in the Florida Keys, including canal water quality _
improvements, research and monitoring, and the development of educational materials;
WHEREAS, since establishment, the FKNMS has supported critical research projects by
private and public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to further
understanding of sanctuary resources; and
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WHEREAS, key areas of scientific investigation include coral health and restoration, disease
vectors and treatments, status and trends of keystone species such as sea turtles and sharks,
and climate change impacts such as ocean acidification; and
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WHEREAS, over the past 30 years, collaborative efforts to document underwater historical
resources in the FKNMS have created the Shipwreck Trail, which provides historical and
archaeological information about nine distinct shipwreck sites within the sanctuary; and
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WHEREAS, the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center has welcomed 750,000 residents,
families, school groups, and visitors from over 85 countries since it opened in 2007; and '✓
WHEREAS, the Eco-Discovery Center has housed world-renowned artists displaying their
unique projects, served as a stage for leading scientists to share their work, and been a place of
refuge for rescued corals; and
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WHEREAS, the Eco-Discovery Center has provided more than 18,500 students with an
engaging and interactive platform to learn more about the natural and cultural wonders that
make the Florida Keys unique; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the FKNMS announced the start of an unprecedented, 20 year project
to restore seven coral reefs along the Florida Keys, using the best available restoration science c
with a mission of restoring diverse, reef building corals at seven sites in the Keys; and
WHEREAS, as we look toward the future, we fully embrace our responsibility to protect
these spectacular places like the FKNMS and ensure the National Marine Sanctuary System
remains a source of pride and enjoyment for all Americans; and
WHEREAS, in the next year, NOAA will be celebrating the 501h anniversary of the National
Marine Sanctuary System.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA THAT:
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1. The Board joins NOAA in commemorating the 501h Anniversary of the National
Marine Sanctuary System; and
2. On behalf of the residents and visitors of Monroe County, the Board thanks NOAA
and the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary for its efforts in preserving and restoring our _
precious marine assets in the Florida Keys.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting held on the 171h day of November, 2021, in Key
West, Florida.
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Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA '✓
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By:
Mayor
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(Seal)
ATTEST: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK
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BY:
Deputy Clerk a
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