Resolution 037-1994
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Mayor London
'94 FEB -8 J\ 9 :57
RESOLUTION NO. 037 - 1994
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.a."RESOLUTION TO PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, VICE PRESIDENT
ALBERT GORE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, INTERIOR SECRETARY
BRUCE BABBITT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR
CAROL BROWNER, SENATOR CONNIE MACK, SENATOR BOB GRAHAM,
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEUTSCH, SENATOR MALCOLM WALLOP, THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, AND THE PUBLIC MEDIA, URGING SUPPORT
FOR, AND THE ENSURING OF, PASSAGE OF UNITED STATES SENATE
BILL S163l.
WHEREAS, Monroe County's multibillion dollar tourist
industry and multimillion dollar fishing industry are entirely
dependant on a healthy Florida Bay and coral reefs; and
WHEREAS, Florida Bay was once a fabulously rich estuarine
and marine ecosystem, famous for its abundant fish and wildlife;
a vital natural area for Florida; and
WHEREAS, government and independent researchers have
determined that Florida Bay is dying rapidly, and is threatening
the Florida Keys' Coral Reef Tract; and
WHEREAS, the lack of freshwater flow to Florida Bay has
dramatically altered its natural salinity balance, transforming
the Bay from a rich estuary to a saltwater lagoon; and
WHEREAS, dead plant matter releases from massive seagrass
die-offs is creating major algae blooms and widespread damage to
sponges and seafans; and
WHEREAS, Florida Bay and the Florida Keys are inextriCably
linked to the greater Everglades; and
WHEREAS, the current collapse of Florida Bay is related to
human changes in the historic quantity, timing, and distribution
of freshwater flows throughout the Everglades system; and
WHEREAS, the rapidly deteriorating condition of Florida Bay,
threatens both the environmental quality of all the Keys and the
economic viability of our community; and
WHEREAS, the continued decline of Florida Bay threatens the
coral reefs, and with it our tourism and fishing industries,
which are the primary employers in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, many people believe that sacrificing Florida Bay
and our coral reef for the benefit of farming interests in the
Everglades is equivalent to the short-sighted Third World
practice of destroying rain forests for agricultural purposes;
and
WHEREAS, the scientific community has identified the
immediate need for the restoration of clean, fresh water flows to
Florida Bay in the proper quality, quantity, timing and location;
and
WHEREAS, fresh water flows cannot be restored without the
public purchase of critical lands in the headwaters of Taylor
Slough; lands that include the Frog Pond, the Eight and One-Half
Square Mile area, and the connector lands,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Monroe County Board
of County Commissioners unanimously endorses the immediate
passage of United States Senate Bill S163l, which identifies
federal monies to contribute to the purchase of critical lands in
Taylor Slough; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we strongly urge our elected
United States Senators, the Honorable Connie Mack and the
Honorable Bob Graham, to take whatever steps necessary to ensure
the passage of S1631, legislation critical to the economic and
environmental future of Monroe County.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 20th day of January, 1994.
Mayor London yes
Mayor Pro Tern Cheal yes
Commissioner Freeman yes
Commissioner Harvey yes
Commissioner Reich yes
(Seal)
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY, FLORIDA
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By Jlo..lJ. o. ~~
By
A
ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
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