Resolution 072-2005
RESOLUTION NO, 072 - 2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
REQUESTING CONTINUED FEDERAL SUPPORT
AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR CENTRALIZED WASTE
AND STORM WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, Congress recognized the unique environmental value of the Florida Keys
and established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 1990; and
WHEREAS, there has been growing concern that the near-shore waters of the Florida
Keys have been deteriorating due to inadequate wastewater and storm water facilities in
the Keys; and
WHEREAS, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has made wastewater funding one of
her highest priorities and led a tireless campaign to garner support and understanding for
this effort in Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, almost $24 million of Federal funding from various sources has now been
provided for wastewater and storm water improvements in the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, all concerned parties in the Federal, State and local governments are
working together to complete this critical project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
1, Congresswoman Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, Chairman David Hobson of the Energy and
Water Appropriations subcommittee, and the members of the Florida Delegation
in the United States Congress are to be commended for their outstanding efforts
on behalf of the residents of Monroe County in urging Congress to appropriate
Federal funding for water quality improvements in the Florida Keys,
2, Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature are to be commended for their
steady support of the water quality initiative in the Florida Keys,
3, The members of the Florida Delegation in the US Congress are urged to continue
their efforts to obtain Federal funding for water quality initiatives in Fiscal Year
2006, because the water quality problems of the Florida Keys and the National
Marine Sanctuary are not yet solved,
4, The citizens of Monroe County are to be commended for facing squarely the
wastewater problems and for supporting County initiatives to provide local
funding for water quality improvements,
5, The Clerk is directed to mail copies of this resolution to Representative Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, Senator Bill Nelson, Senator Mel Martinez, the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency, and the mayors of municipalities within
Monroe County,
6, This Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its adoption herein,
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida at a regular meeting of said Board held on February 16,2005.
Mayor Spehar
Mayor Pro Tern McCoy
Commissioner Nelson
Commissioner Neugent
Commissioner Rice
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Board of County Commissioners
of Mo~county, Florida
By: 1- 7)), ~ dM.J
AYOR
L.KQg~
Deputy Clerk
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 4
ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
61 FORSYTH STREET
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960
APR 1 1 2005
Mr. Danny L. Kolhage
Clerk of Court and ex-officio Clerk
to the Board of County Commissioners
Monroe County Courthouse
500 Whitehead Street, Suite 101
Key West, Florida 33040
Dear Mr. Kolhage:
Thank you for your February 22, 2005, letter to Stephen L. Johnson, Acting
Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EP A) containing a funding
resolution adopted by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on
February 16,2005. Your letter was forwarded to the EPA Region 4 office in Atlanta, Georgia
for response.
The BOCC resolution commends the United States Congress and Florida Legislature for
appropriating funds for water quality improvements in the Florida Keys, encourages continued
federal and state funding for such improvements, and commends the citizens of Monroe County
for supporting County initiatives to provide local funding for water quality improvements. EP A
is committed to protecting and improving the water quality of the Keys as evidenced by
approximately $20,000,000 of EP A funds that have supported various activities in the Keys
including long term monitoring, special water quality studies, a construction grant for the Little
Venice area of Marathon, and numerous habitat restoration projects. In addition, EP A continues
to provide technical and monetary support for ongoing water quality initiatives and we co-chair
the Water Quality Protection Program Steering Committee with the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection. Currently, EPA is working with the Project Delivery Team
established by the Steering Committee to help identify projects to be funded with a $3,800,000
grant appropriated by Congress in FY 2000 to demonstrate decentralized wastewater treatment
systems.
We appreciate your desire to protect and preserve the environment and look forward to
working with Monroe County in the future. If EP A may be of assistance, please feel free to
@ta{Ont;.gr h.i!.ye a member of your staff contact Bob Freeman at 404/562-9244.
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_. ~ ~d~ James D. Giattina, Director U
~' ~ Water Management Division
Internet Address (URL) . http://www.epa,gov
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