Resolution 229-2022 RESOLUTION NO. 229 -2022
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
SUPPORT ROBUST FUNDING FOR NATIONAL MARINE
SANCTUARIES AND MARINE PROTECTED AREAS WITHIN
THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION.
WHEREAS, Monroe County is a duly constituted County government having such
power and authority conferred upon it by Article VIII, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution
and Chapter 125, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas within the National Marine
Sanctuary System comprise an essential network of more than 600,000 square miles of
protected waters held in trust for all people, conserving some of the United States' most
critical natural, historic, and cultural resources and promoting access for exploration and
world-class outdoor recreation; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas are vital to maintaining a
healthy ocean, addressing climate change and sea level rise, and sustaining valuable
coastal communities; and
WHEREAS, Sanctuaries generate $8 billion annually in local economies and
support numerous jobs and businesses in the fishing, tourism, recreation, and scientific
research sectors; and
WHEREAS, increased investments in Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas are
necessary to safeguard and enhance the ecosystem services and economic values these
protected areas provide to our communities; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary harbors unique and
valuable tropical marine ecosystems, including the only barrier coral reef in the
continental United States, mangroves forests, seagrass meadows, numerous threatened
and endangered species, and commercially and recreationally important species; and
WHEREAS,the coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves of the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary buffer Florida Keys and South Florida communities from the impacts of
hurricanes and storm surge, with coral reefs providing flood protection benefits of $675
million annually; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress established the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act in 1990 to protect the resources of the area, to
educate and interpret for the public regarding the Florida Keys marine environment, and
to manage human uses of the Sanctuary consistent with the Act; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and surrounding waters
support diverse and interconnected habitats that are vital to the multi-billion dollar fishing
and tourism industry of the Florida Keys and South Florida, including commercial and
recreational fishing, snorkeling, diving, boat and equipment rentals, other tourism related
business, and taxable property values in South Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary supports more than 43,000
jobs in the Florida Keys, and contributes $4.4 billion annually to Florida's economy; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress is currently developing its fiscal year 2023
budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including for
Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas; and
WHEREAS, significantly increased funding is necessary to meet the goal of
advancing conservation and restoration in Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas,
including the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County hereby wishes to convey its support for the robust
funding request of $87 million for Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas to ensure the
continued viability and success of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals.The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
Section 2. Supporting robust funding of $87 million for Sanctuaries and
Marine Protected Areas, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Monroe County, Florida hereby urges the United States Congress to
support robust funding for Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas, within the
NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the fiscal year 2023 budget to
ensure sustained support for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Page 2 of 3
Section 3. Authorization of Monroe Coun1y officials. Monroe County is hereby
authorized to take all necessary and expedient action to effectuate the intent of this
Resolution, including authorizing the Clerk of the Court to transmit a copy of this Resolution
to the following members of the United States Congress.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio - FL
284 Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
U.S. Senator is Scott- FL
502 Hart Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
U.S. Representative Carlos Gimenez FL Dist. 26
419 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 7
Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately
upon its adoption, August 17, 2022.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida, atar I ing held on the 17th day of August 2022.
............... Mayor David Rice
Mayor Pro Tern Craig Cates
Ar -,a , ( r�
Commissioner Michelle Coldiron Yes
Commissioner James Scholl Yes
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
0"
Attest;*'E MADOK, Clerk OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
1010
By By
As Deputy Clerk Mayor David Rice
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Approved for form and legal sufficiency
Robert B. Shillinger
Robert Shillinger, County Attorney
Page 3 of 3
Kevin Madolk, CPA
ty Clerk of the Circuit Court& Comptroller Monroe Coun , Florida
September 15, 2022
Honorable Senator Marco Rubio
United States Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Honorable Senator Rubio,
Attached is a copy of'Resolution No. 229-2022 requesting that the I T.S. Congress support
robust funding for National Marine Sanctuaries and marine protected areas widtin the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
'11ils Resolution was adopted by die Monroe County Board ol'County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, lield in I'Ornial session, on August 17, 2022. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact nic at (305) 292-3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and cx-olficlo to the
Monroe County Board ol'County
Commissioners
By: Pxncla G. Hancock, D.
cc: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88770 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33050 Plantation Key, Florida 33070
Kevin Madok, CPA
Clerk of the Circuit Court& Comptroller Monroe County, Florida
September 15, 2022
Honorable Senator is Scott
United States Senate
502 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Honorable Senator Scott,
Attached is a copy of'Resolution No . 229-2022 requesting that the t 1.S. Congress support
robust funding 1'()r National Marine Sanctuaries and marine protected areas mthin the National
Oceanic and Atiiiosl)lien'c Administration.
'Hils Resolution was adopted by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners at a
regular meeting, field in I'Oniial session, on August 17, 2022. Should you have any questions,
please feel 1'ree to contact iiie at (305) 292-3550.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Madok, CPA, Clerk ol'the
Circuit Court and ex-ollicio to the
Monroe County Board of'County
Commissioners
11y.- Pamela G. Hancock, D.
cc: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88770 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 3300 Marathon, Florida 3300 Plantation Key, Florida 33070
Kevin Madok, cpA
Clerk of the Circuit Court& Comptroller— Monroe County, Florida
coo.
September 15, 2022
Honorable Representative Carlos Gimenez
United States House
419 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Honorable Representative Gimenez,
Attached is a copy of'Resolution No. 229-2022 requesting that dic I I.S. Congress support
robust funding for National Marine Sanctuaries and marine protected areas within the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
'I'lils Resolu6oii was adopted by the Monroe Count), Board of'Counq, Coniiiiissioners at a
regular meeting, held in lornial session, on August 17, 2022. Should you have any questions,
please feel lice to contact me at (305) 292-3550.
Respccffully Submitted,
Kevin Mad0k, CPA, Clerk ol'the
Circuit Court and ex-ollicio to die
Monroe County Board ol'Count),
Commissioners
11y: pallicia G. HanCOCk-, D.(,'
CC: File
KEY WEST MARATHON PLANTATION KEY
500 Whitehead Street 3117 Overseas Highway 88770 Overseas Highway
Key West,Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33050 Plantation Key, Florida 33070