Item L07BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
*TIME APPROXIMATE REQUESTED*
Meeting Date: Wed. July 16, 2008
Bulk Item: Yes No XX
Division: BOCC
Department: Mayor Di Gennaro, District 4
Staff Contact Person: Tamara Lundstrom
(305 289-6000)
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of resolution supporting the efforts of Governor
Charlie Crist and the South Florida Water Management District to acquire land south of Lake
Okeechobee for the protection and restoration of America's Everglades and Florida's coastal
estuaries.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST: BUDGETED: Yes No
COST TO COUNTY: SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required
DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM #
Revised 2/05
RESOLUTION NO. - Zoos
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COM%HSSION)ERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF GOVERNOR CHARLIE
CRIST AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO ACQUIRE LAND SOUTH
OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE FOR THE PROTECTION AND
RESTORATION OF AMERICA'S EVERGLADES AND
FLORTDA'S COASTAL ESTUARIES.
WHEREAS, America's Everglades and the South Florida ecosystem is a unique expanse
of habitats, whose environmental health is critical to the economy and quality of life of South
Florida; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist unveiled a momentous strategy to
bring about the largest environmental land acquisition in Florida's history and restore America's
Everglades in a way never before anticipated; and
WHEREAS, the Governor announced that the South Florida Water Management District
will begin negotiating an agreement with United States Sugar Corporation to purchase nearly
300 square miles of land spanning four counties in South Florida; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition of as much as 187,000 acres of land south of Lake
Okeechobee would provide the "missing link" needed to better protect the St. Lucie and
Caloosahatchee rivers and estuaries, and revive, restore and preserve one of America's greatest
natural treasures — the Everglades; and
WHEREAS, the South Florida Water Management District and United States Sugar
Corporation signed a "Statement of Principles" that provides the framework for the potential
acquisition of property and assets; and
WHEREAS, through successful negotiations and strategic land swaps, vast tracts would
be used to reestablish a part of the historic connection between Lake Okeechobee and the
Everglades through a managed system of storage and treatment; and
WHEREAS, dedicating significantly more land in the Everglades Agricultural Area to
restoration- will build upon and enhance the 30-year state -federal Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan, offering the opportunity and flexibility to store and clean water on a scale
never before contemplated; and
WHEREAS, benefits from the land acquisition include huge increases in the availability
of water storage, significantly reducing the potential for harmful discharges from Lake
Okeechobee to Florida's coastal rivers and estuaries; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition will prevent thousands of tons of phosphorus from entering
the Everglades every year and eliminate the need for "back -pumping" water into Lake
Okeechobee; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition also provides the potential opportunity to sustain remaining
agriculture in the region by eliminating environmental concerns; enhancing the availability of
water supply; and fostering green energy production; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has identified the State of Florida's Rural Economic
Development Initiative as a resource for working with United States Sugar Corporation, local
governments, area businesses, state agencies and the South Florida Water Management District
on an economic transition plan for the area; and
WHEREAS, saving the Everglades and protecting Florida's coastal estuaries is an
environmental priority for the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the South Florida Water Management District's initiative to purchase
187,000 acres of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area is a watershed event for restoring a
beloved national treasure — the Everglades; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners applauds
and supports the landmark efforts of Governor Charlie Crist and the South Florida Water
Management District to negotiate the acquisition of significant lands in the Everglades
Agricultural Area for the purposes of restoring and protecting the northern and southem
Everglades and Florida's coastal estuaries.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida
at a regular meeting held the 16th day of July, 2008.
Mayor Di Gennaro
Mayor Pro Tem McCoy
Commissioner Murphy
Commissioner Neugent
Commissioner Spehar
(Seal)
ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
By:
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONR.OE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Mayor Mario Di Gennaro
'I OUNTY A, TORNt=1f
O D AS T QFtM:
ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY
Date
2
Page 1 of 2
Lundstrom•Tamara
From: Weaver, Cecelia [cweaver@sfwmd.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 6:47 PM
To: cityhall@cityinflaylon.net; skipharin g@ju no -corn; wonhingtorl marathon.fl.us; burnettcQci.marathor Fl.us; calM.hdl@slamorada.fl.us; ker.fields@islamorada.fl.us;
mary.swaney@islamorada.fl.us, McPherson -Morgan; isch(ill@keywestcity.com; SOCCDIS4; SOCC_DI53; BOCCDJS5; Marble -Terri; Spehar-Dixie, Gastesl-Roman;
gbauman@yahoo.com; Susan Hammaken Reynolds -Jim; David Ritz; C0een Tagle; mayor@keycolonybeach ref
Subject: Request for government enhUes to adopt a resolution supporting the efforts of Governor Crist and the SFWMD to acquire land south of Lake Okeechobee for protection
and restoration of America's Everglades and Florida's coastal estuaries
Attachments: Reso EvergladesAcquiplicir final June2008.doc
Dear Colleagues:
On June 24, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist unveiled a momentous strategy to bring about the largest environmental land acquisition in Florida's history and
restore America's Everglades in a way never before anticipated. Yesterday, negotiations for historic Everglades land acquisition moved forward as the South
Florida Water Management District Governing Board ratified the "Statement of Principles" for a milestone purchase to protect the famed "River of Grass" and
Florida's coastal estuaries.
Yesterday's formal action authorized District staff to initiate detailed negotiations and due diligence to purchase the assets of United States Sugar Corporation,
including 187,000 acres of land, for Everglades restoration. Acquisition of the property will provide the "missing link" needed to protect Florida s coastal
estuaries and better revive, restore and preserve one of America's greatest national treasures —the Everglades.
Please consider adopting a resolution supporting the efforts of Governor Crist and the District to acquire land south of Lake Okeechobee for protection and
restoration of America's Everglades and Florida's coastal estuaries. A resolution template is attached for your reference. Please also let me know the
meeting date when your entity will consider adopting a resolution of support for these landmark efforts.
Thank you!
Cecelia Weaver
Soon Fonda Yv=_tet Management District
J Reviving the River of Crass graphic
GOVERNOR CRIST UNVEILS HISTORIC PLAN TO
REVIVE THE RIVER OF GRASS
South Florida Water Management District to negotiate acquisition of agricultural land
to reestablish an historic connection between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades
On June 24, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist announced that the South Florida Water management District will begin negotiating an
agreement to acquire as much as I87,000 acres of agricultural land owned by the United States Sugar Corporation. The vast
tracts of land in the Everglades Agricultural Area would then be used to reestablish a part of the historic connection between
Lake Okeechobee and America's Everglades through a managed system of storage and treatment and, at the same time,
safeguard the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and estuanes.
Acquiring the enormous expanse of real estate offers water managers the opportunity and flexibility to store and clean water on
a scale never before contemplated to protect Florida's coastal estuaries and to better revive, restore and preserve the fabled
River oy Grass. Subject to independent appraisals and approval by the District's Governing Board, water managers will invest
$2.75 billion in cash and certificates of participation to finance the acquisition of land and assets.
Benefits from the land acquisition would include
Increases In water storage to reduce harmful freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee to Florida's coastal rivers
and estuaries.
Improvements in the del very of cleaner water to the Everglades.
Preventing thousands of tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades.
Eliminating the need for "back -pumping" water into Lake Okeechobee.
Sustainability of agriculture and green energy production.
Known as the River of Grass for the sawgrass that flourished throughout the marsh, the Everglades is a mosaic of freshwater
ponds, prairies and forested uplands that supports a rich plant and wildlife community. Recoonized throughout the world for its
wading birds and wildlife, the Everglades is home to dozens of federally threatened and endangered species, Including the
Florida panther, American crocodile, snail kite and wood stork. The mix of salt and freshwater makes it the only place on Earth
where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side.
[related Materials
Governor's Press Release, June_24 -2008 [PDF]
Statement by SFWMD Ggvcrrung Board Chair, June 24, 2008 IPDF]
Nenotiaticu s for Historic I✓cer-glades Land Acquisition Move Fomvard. June 30, 2008
Just the Favis aboul the Acquisition [PDF]
Questions and Al [PDF]
Statement of Ptine.iples [PDF]
Map [PDF]
Video ofthe Announcement [RMI
Photos from the Announcement
Remarks by Govcming Board Vice Chair Shannon Estcnoz IPDF}
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