Item B1
Revised 2/95
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: 2/16/00
Division: Mayor Freeman
Bulk Item: Yes
No X
Department: BOCC-3
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Proclamation proclaiming the month of March, 2000 as Seagrass Awareness Month.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The seagrass community of South Florida is the largest seagrass meadow in the world and has helped
create and sustain the world class fishing in the Florida Keys.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes No
COST CENTER #
COST TO COUNTY:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No AMOUNT PER MONTH YEAR
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing_ Risk Management _
DMSIONDIRECfORAPPROVAL: ~ ~ ...........<~....J'",
MayO~
DOCUMENTATION: Included:
To Follow:_Not Required:
DISPOSITION:
Agenda Item #:
1'81
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llroclamation
WHEREAS, the seagrass community of South Florida is the largest seagrass
meadow in the world and has helped create and sustain the world class fishing in
the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, in 1998 alone, seagrass communities in the State of Florida
supported an estimated harvest of roughly $55 million for five commercial species
of fish and shellfish; and
WHEREAS, while there are 1.5 million acres of sea grass in Monroe County,
Florida, over 30,000 acres in that area have propeller scars: and
WHEREAS, seagrass stabilizes bottom sediments and helps to absorb the
excess nutrients from land run-off which can further damage the quality of our
waters; and
WHEREAS, the seagrass community supports hundreds of species of fish at
various stages of their development; and
WHEREAS, awareness of the problems facing this vital natural resource
will help to create an understanding of the ways seagrass damage can impact both
the economic and ecological value of our marine resources.
Now, Therefore, by virtue of the power vested in me as mayor of-Monroe County,
I do hereby proclaim the month of March, 2000 as
SEA GRASS AWARENESS MONTH
DATED this
day of February, 2000.
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