Item M2 M2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE �� i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
January 31, 2024
Agenda Item Number: M2
2023-2019
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: District 5
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Lisa Tennyson
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: MAYOR RASCHEIN: Approval of a resolution affirming the
County Commissions ongoing support for the full funding and expedited completion of Everglades
Restoration projects and urging the Florida State legislature to fully fund Everglades Restoration for FY
2025, and the approval of the $725 million funding for Everglades Restoration in the FY 2025 federal
budget.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Everglades restoration is a partnership between the State and Federal governments. Continuing, robust
state and federal funding is critical to ensure the expedited completion of Everglades restoration projects
that will greatly benefit the Everglades National Park and the Florida Bay by restoring natural
freshwater flow. Restoration of the natural freshwater flows through the Park to Florida Bay protects the
ecological health of Florida Bay and the unique and fragile resources of the Florida Keys' marine
ecosystem.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
Resolution 196-2021 supporting full funding and expedited completion of Everglades Restoration.
Resolution 135-2016 urging completion of Everglades restoration projects,particularly those critical to
the health of Florida Bay.
Resolution 003-2016 supporting Amendment 1 funding for Everglades Restoration.
Resolution 405-2015 supporting restoration needs of Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.
Additionally, Monroe County's annual State and Federal legislative agendas include Everglades funding
and completion of restoration projects as priority issues.
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INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Everglades Funding Resolution (1).docx
Everglades Funding Addresses.docx
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
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RESOLUTION NO. -2024
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA AFFIRMING ITS ONGOING SUPPORT FOR
FULL FUNDING AND COMPLETION OF EVERGLADES RESTORATION
PROJECTS AND URGING THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE TO FULLY
FUND EVERGLADES RESTORATION FOR FY 2025, AND APPROVAL OF
THE $725 MILLION FUNDING FOR EVERGLADES RESTORATION IN THE
2025 FISCAL YEAR FEDERAL BUDGET.
WHEREAS, the Everglades is a crucial natural resource that significantly impacts the environment,
economy, and quality of life for the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Everglades system provides drinking water for more than 9 million Floridians,protects
communities from hurricanes and floods, supports Florida's $1.2 billion fishing industry, and generates $150
million of direct spending annually in Everglades National Park; and
WHEREAS,Everglades restoration projects that restore natural freshwater flows through the park and into
the Florida Bay are critical to the long-term sustainability of the Florida Keys' fragile and irreplaceable
marine ecosystem; and
WHEREAS,human development for over a century has altered the geography,hydrology, and other
ecological aspects of the Everglades to the point where the health of the Everglades is critically at risk; and
WHEREAS, various initiatives have taken place at the federal, state, and local levels to protect and restore
the Everglades,perhaps the most significant of which is the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
(CERP), approved by the United States Congress in the year 2000, which includes 68 projects designed to
collectively restore and preserve the Everglades for future generations; and
WHEREAS, CERP is a 50150 partnership between the federal government and the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, although substantial progress has been made, significant work is required to bring CERP to
fruition; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County commends Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature for approving $624.6
million for Everglades restoration during last year's legislative session; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County commends the Federal Government for consecutive years of record
investments in Everglades restoration; and
WHEREAS, this Board has long-supported initiatives to protect the Everglades and Florida Bay; and
WHEREAS, substantial resources are needed to restore the health of the Everglades, which is critical to
Monroe County's economy and general welfare; and
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, as follows:
Section 1. The Board reaffirms its strong support for full funding and the expedited completion of Everglades
Restoration projects, and urges the Florida Legislature to fully fund Everglades Restoration in the FY 2025
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State budget and the U.S. Congress to approve $725 million for Everglades restoration in the federal FY 2025
budget.
Section 2. The Board directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the U.S.
Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, Congressman Carlos Gimenez Governor, Florida Governor
Ron DeSantis, Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, the Monroe
County State Legislative Delegation, and the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection.
Section 3. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida at a regular
meeting of said board on the 31 st day of January,2024.
Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein
Mayor Pro Teen James K. Scholl
Commissioner Craig Cates
Commissioner Michelle Lincoln
Commissioner David Rice
(SEAL) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Attest: Kevin Madok, Clerk OF MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA
By By
As Deputy Clerk Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein
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Addresses for Everglades Funding Resolu?on
Senator Marco Rubio
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0908
Senator Rick Sco?
111 N. Adams St.
Suite 208
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Congressman Carlos Gimenez
448 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Governor Ron DeSan?s
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo
3299 East Tamiami Trail Suite 203
Naples, FL 34112
House Speaker Paul Renner
4877 Palm Coast Parkway
Suite 1
Northwest Palm Coast, FL 32137-3677
Secretary Shawn Hamilton
3900 Commonwealth Blvd. M.S. 49
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Monroe County State Legisla?ve Delega?on
1100 Simonton St.
Key West, FL 33040
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