Resolution 003-2016 Mayor Pro Tern Neugent
RESOLUTION NO.id -2016
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN
SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR EVERGLADES
RESTORATION PROJECTS FROM THE STATE'S LAND
ACQUISITION TRUST FUND, INCLUDING SUPPORT
FOR 2016 FLORIDA HOUSE BILL 989 AND SENATE BILL
1168 THAT SEEK TO DEDICATE $200 MILLION OR 25%
OF THE LAND ACQUISITION TRUST FUND FOR
EVERGLADES RESTORATION PROJECTS.
WHEREAS, the waters of the Florida Keys are connected to and dependent on the
Everglades landscape as the primary source of fresh water that serves as the foundation of the
nearshore estuarine environment; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's coast line encompasses Florida Bay, the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary and Everglades National Park; and
WHEREAS, Florida Bay is within the vitally important ecosystem located between the
mainland and the Florida Keys, with approximately 20% of Florida Bay within the boundaries of
the FKNMS and approximately 80% of Florida Bay within the boundaries of Everglades
National Park; and
WHEREAS, the ecological health of the coastal and marine resources of Monroe County
is inextricably linked to that of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park; and
WHEREAS, Florida Bay comprises a significant portion of the coastal Everglades
recreational fishing industry worth $880 million annually and commercial shrimp and stone crab
fisheries worth more than$80 million annually; and
WHEREAS, the ecosystem of the Florida Keys, including Florida Bay, attracts over 4
million visitors and over $4.5 billion in economic activity annually, generating $192 million in
sales tax revenue for the State of Florida each year; and
WHEREAS, the health of Florida Bay is vital to the multi-billion dollar fishing and
ecotourism industry of South Florida, including commercial and recreational fishing, snorkeling,
diving,boat and equipment rentals, and other related businesses; and
WHEREAS,the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida recognizes
that the restoration of America's Everglades is critical to the long-term sustainability of South
Florida's economy, quality of life, and environment; and
WHEREAS, these restoration projects are funded by the federal and state government
with goals of restoring wetlands, ecosystems, national parks and wildlife refuges and protecting
threatened and endangered species; and
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Mayor Pro Tem Neugent
WHEREAS, lack of freshwater flow, coupled with unseasonably low rainfall over the
past year, have led to high salinity in Florida Bay which has contributed to resultant mass
seagrass die-offs that may continue to worsen; and
WHEREAS, scientists caution that a harmful algal bloom in Florida Bay is possible as a
result of the widespread sea grass decomposition that could lead to further habitat loss for a
number of species, a disaster from which it would take many years to recover; and
WHEREAS, the dire situation in Florida Bay is a symptom of a larger water crisis
plaguing Florida whereby northern coastal estuaries are being inundated by Lake Okeechobee
discharges while the Everglades National Park and Florida Bay are starved for freshwater due to
lack of infrastructure for treatment and storage of water and restoration of flow; and
WHEREAS, the fresh water that should contribute to the natural, slow, sheet flow of
water through the Everglades to Florida Bay keeping the Bay healthy is instead diverted,
upsetting the balance of salinity and creating a poor environment for wildlife and seagrasses;
WHEREAS, the capture, storage, treatment, and conveyance of water southward through
the Everglades is critical to restoring and balancing natural water flow, ultimately benefitting the
Florida Bay;
WHEREAS, projects in the southern Everglades such as those related to the C-111 canal
and CERP "foundational" projects such as the Modified Water Delivery projects most directly
impact water flow to, and conditions within, the Florida Bay; and
WHEREAS, the urgent salinity issues in the Florida Bay may warrant that these projects
be considered among the priorities for the funding appropriated with this legislation; and
WHEREAS, this bill will direct funding to restoration projects that address water quality
and water quantity throughout the Everglades;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida:
1. The above recitals are hereby incorporated into this resolution as restated herein and constitute
the legislative findings and intent of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida.
2. The Board supports an appropriation from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the
minimum of the lesser of 25% or$200 million for Everglades restoration projects.
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R
Mayor Pro Tem Neugent
3. The Clerk for this Board shall furnish copies of this resolution to Governor Scott,
Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli, Senate President Andy Gardiner, House
Appropriations Chair Richard Corcoran, Senate Appropriations Chair Tom Lee,
House Appropriations Sub-Committee Chair Ben Albritton, Senate Appropriations
Sub-Committee Chair Alan Hays, and the legislative delegation for Monroe County
as soon as reasonably possible.
4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
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, 2016.
Mayor Heather Carruthers YES
Mayor pro tem George Neugent YE_
Commissioner Danny L. Kolhage YES
Commissioner David Rice YE S
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy YES
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