Resolution 272-2006
RESOLUTION NO. 272 - 2006
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN
SUPPORT OF SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT
DISTRICT'S ACCELERATE AND COMPREHENSIVE
EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE C-lll
SPREADER CANAL PROJECT.
WHI:REAS, both the "Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan" (CERP) , approved
by Congress and the Florida Legislature in 2000, and the District's C-Ill Spreader Canal
Accelerate Project ( Accelerate) intend to restore and protect Florida Bay and portions of
Biscayne Bay by modifying the C-III Spreader Canal and other works of the South Florida
Water Management District; and,
wm:REAS, the C-III Spreader Canal Project is located at the extreme southern end of
the Central and Southern Florida Project for Flood Control (C&SF Project) and discharges
directly into ecologically sensitive areas of Florida Bay. The successful implementation of the
Project shall modify the freshwater flows into the Bay to result in a more natural hydro-pattern
and thereby improve the ecology and functioning habitat in the Bay.
WHEREAS, following higher than normal rainfalls, the C-III Spreader Canal has been
the source of releases of excess floodwaters to Manatee Bay, part of Florida Bay, causing
damage to e(;onomically important species offish and shellfish; and
WHEREAS, these species of fish and shellfish, are of vital importance to the
recreational and commercial fisheries of South Florida and the Florida Keys; and, many of these
species spend all or a portion of their lives in the Florida and Biscayne Bay estuaries; and
WHEREAS, the Florida and Biscayne Bay estuaries depend upon a correct volume,
timing, quality and distribution of freshwater and these factors have been altered by construction
and operation of canals and other structures that are part of the C&SF Project; and
WHEREAS, the marine and estuarine species that depend upon healthy estuarine
conditions in Florida and Biscayne Bays are essential to the economic health of South Florida
from fishing, diving, snorkeling, boating, seafood production and other related economic
activities; and
WHEREAS, there is broad consensus that the C-III Spreader Canal and other
appropriate works must be modified, plugged, backfilled and repaired to prevent the
inappropriate discharge of freshwater to Florida and Biscayne Bays; and
WHEREAS, the Accelerate C-III Spreader Canal Projects will produce approximately
eighty percent of the benefits to the Southern Everglades and Florida Bay environments of the
larger Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan C-III Project; and
Florida Bay Resolution (KP)
WHEREAS, it is vital to the health and ecology of Florida Bay that the C-lll Spreader
Canal Project and its benefits be realized as quickly and cost effectively as possible;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, that:
Monroe County, Florida hereby unanimously expresses support for the District's C-lll
Spreader Canal Accelerate Project and the ongoing effort to complete the larger C-lll Canal
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan project.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting on said Board on the 19th day of July, A.D., 2006.
Mayor Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Mayor Pro Tern Dixie M. Spehar
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Glenn Patton
Commissioner David Rice
JelL
JelL
.-X.wL
Yes
Yes
AT~~RK
By:~.
Deputy Clerk
By:
Y COMMISSIONERS
Y, FLORIDA
(SEAL)"
BOARD OF CO
OF MONROE CO
Mayor Charles Sonny" McCoy
:J: ....
0 <=> .."
0 <=>
:z ;I> ... r-
::0 Z >
on--" c:: f"T1
,....- en 0
f"11;:x:-<
n. ,.... -'1
on. ~ 0
c:.=; ^ :;;0
:;;.E"""-"
. . "-l > ;:0
-tC'?,l'~'- X "1
;< ;-t =.;= - C"")
.." ~. - <:>
,- G) ;u
;I> rrl <:) CJ
en
Dote
Florida Bay Resolution (KP)