Resolution 196-2021 RESOLUTION NO. 196 -2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF FULL FUNDING
AND COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION OF EVERGLADES
RESTORATION PORJECTS; URGING ROBUST FUNDING FOR
EVERGLADES RESTORATION IN THE 2022 FEDERAL BUDGET;
COMMENDING THE GOVERNOR'S AND LEGISLATURE'S FULL
FUNDING FOR EVERGLADES RESTORATION; AND URGING THE
UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND SOUTH
FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO CONSIDER IN
THEIR UPDATES TO THE LAKE OKECHOBEE SYSTEM
OPERATION MANUAL, THE WATER SUPPLY NEEDS AND
FRESHWATER FLOWS TO SOUTHERN END OF THE
EVERGLADES SYSTEM CRITICAL FOR MAINTAINING THE
HEALTH OF FLORIDA BAY.
WHEREAS, Monroe County is part of the vast Everglades ecosystem that covers much of South Florida;
and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's coast line encompasses Florida Bay, the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary("FKNMS")and Everglades National Park;and
WHEREAS,Florida Bay comprises a large portion of Everglades National Park, and is a vitally important
ecosystem that provides critical habitat for numerous plants and animals including federal protected and
- _ threatened species and state special concern species; and
WHEREAS, Florida Bay's marine environment supports a multi-billion dollar fishing and ecotourism
industry of South Florida, including commercial and recreational fishing, snorkeling, diving, boat and
equipment rentals, hospitality and other related businesses; and
WHEREAS, the natural resources and marine environment of the Florida Keys including Florida Bay
attracts over 4 million visitors and over$4.5 billion in economic activity annually, generating$220 million
in sales tax revenue for the State of Florida each year;and
WHEREAS,the health of the Florida Bay's ecosystem is highly dependent on clean and adequate freshwater
flows into the southern end of the Everglades system; and
WHEREAS, and over the past several decades, the lack of sufficient freshwater flow thin the Everglades
National Park and into the southern end of the system has contributed to hypersalinity events and algae
blooms in Florida Bay damaging its valuable and fragile ecosystem;and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners continues to urge the expedited
completion of Everglades restoration projects that are necessary to increase flows through the Everglades,
including the Everglades Agricultural Reservoir and the Central Everglades Planning Project;and
WHEREAS,the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners urges that new Lake Okeechobee System
Operating Manual(LOSOM)that is currently being updated includes consideration of needs of the southern
end of the system, namely water supply and sufficient freshwater flows that Florida Bay;and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes that Everglades restoration
projects and water management took that restore freshwater flows through the park and into Florida Bay are
critical to the long-term sustainability of Monroe's environment,economy and quality of life; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners that:
I. Reaffirms its strong support for full funding and construction of Everglades restoration projects.
2. Urges$725M for Everglades restoration in the United States FY 2022 budget.
3. Commends Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for fully funding Everglades restoration in
the Florida FY 2022 budget.
4. Urges the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District to consider
the water supply needs of Monroe County and the need for adequate freshwater flows to the southern
end of the Everglades system.
5. Directs the Clerk to transmit copies of this resolution to the U.S. President Biden,U.S. Senator Rubio,
U.S.Senator Scott, U.S. Representative Gimenez,Florida Governor DeSantis,Florida Senate President
Simpson, Florida Speaker Sprowls, Florida Representative Mooney, Florida Senator Rodriguez,
USACE Commander Colonel Kelly and South Florida Water Management District Executive Director
Bartlett.
6. 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 19th day of May,2021.
Mayor Michelle Coldiron yes
Il+l Mayor Pro Tem David Rice yea
Commissioner Craig Cates ypS
614 z) Commissioner Eddie Martinez Absent
f
Commissioner Mike Forster Yes
Ar� BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
rrt : KEVIN MADOK, CLERK OF MONROECO • c
ff A M',J
By:
-47,44/19
BtDeputy Li C erk Mayor Michelle Coldiron
Approved for form and legal sufficiency -.
•
Robert B. Shillinger, Monroe County Attorney -
Robert B. Digitally signed by Robert B.Shillinger -
ON:au-Robert 0.Shlllinger, 'lam 7. `'
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County Attorney,emaikshIDinger- r J-
Shillinger Dat:2021.0511°,12 0 o3.0;00'