Resolution 081-1994
Commissioner A. Earl Cheal
RESOLUTION NO. 081 -1994
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA OPPOSING REORGANIZATION
OF PARK DISTRICTS.
WHEREAS, there are eleven Florida state parks and related
areas located in Monroe County, all within Park District 7 of
the Division of Recreation and parks of the DEP; and
WHEREAS, this network of state park areas within Monroe
County make an important contribution to the recreation and
education of its citizens and visitors as well as substantial
financial aid to the Monroe County Land Authority; and
WHEREAS, this network of Keys' parks within District 7 was,
also, established to provide protection for the significant,
threatened and irreplaceable resources of the Florid~ Keys, \Ci __
including: ~; J::>. "'Ti
::;D .,' ":' r'~
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park estabg~ed ~ '~'-
protect the third largest coral reef in the world upon-~which I the .~~
economy of Monroe County so heavily depends and the ~~e pa~ ~
which as the largest revenue producer in the state pa~k syst~ :',
underwrites an important part of the Florida park system.. N ::~
~ ~ \.;J ':=0
Windley Key Fossil Reef State Geological sl:tE{' l.N .",
protecting the world's most significant exposure of
paleontological fossil coral which, annually, attracts several
hundred international scientists to the Keys.
Bahia Honda State Park preserving "one of the three or
four most. beautiful beaches in the U. S.", so christened
repeatedly, by national travel magazines; and
WHEREAS, a number of the Monroe County state parks and
areas preserve the last stands in the U. S. of the West Indian
Hammock, 'those stately Caribbean forests, the endangered species
many of which are found only in the Florida Keys, and the marine
systems found only in sub-tropical waters; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Recreation and Parks of DEP is
proposing a reorganization of Florida park districts which will
merge District 7 with present. District 5 to the north, reducing
District 7 and its headquarters on Key Largo to a "sub-area"
with reduced staff and responsibilities, establishing the new
District Headquarters, with decision making authority for the
Florida Keys in Hobe Saund, 150 miles to. the narth ef Menree
Ceunty; and
WHEREAS, the Flerida Keys were designated by the
legislatian in Chapter 380, F.S. as an Area ef Critical State
Cencern and therefere deserves the utmest attentien by all state
agencies; and
WHEREAS, the natural systems of the ceral islands and the
ceral reef system af the Flerida Keys ferm a unique ecesystem
different frem any ether ecesystem in Flerida; and
WHEREAS, Manrae Ceunty has first hand knawledge af the
magnitude af the preblems and the en site effert necessary to.
preserve the natural Flerida Keys; and
WHEREAS, Park District 7 and its Key Largo headquarters
have performed their responsibilities teward the Florida Keys'
resources with distinction and in effective ceeperatien with
Monree Ceunty, its staff and its citizen.s;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Monroe County Cemmission urges the
DEP to retain the present Park District 7 with its present
geegraphic designation, staff and responsibilities which,
clearly, must include, in addition to. efficient management of
the parks and related areas, an unrelenting effort to. preserve
t.he natural resources of the Flerida Keys and Monroe Ceunty.
The Caunty Clerk is hereby requested to ferward a copy ef
this reselution to. Ms. Virginia Weatherall, Secretary ef the
Department of Envirenmental Pretectien.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Beard of Ceunty Commissioners ef
Menroe County, Florida at a regular meeting ef the Beard held on
the 16th day ef February, 1994.
Mayor London
Mayor Pre Tern Cheal
Commissiener Freeman
Commissioner Harvey
Commissiener Reich
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
(SEAL)
ATTEST: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, CLERK
BY~ C. Oru~
Deputy Clerk
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