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Peter D. O'Bryan <br />Chairman <br />District 4 <br />Wesley S. Davis <br />Vice Chairman <br />District 1 <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />VIA EMAIL DELIVERY <br />yip•/1/ <br />fi,E.z <br />Joseph E. Flescher <br />District'2 <br />Bob Solari <br />District 5 <br />Tim Zor c <br />District 3 <br />April 24, 2014 <br />Honorable Ben Albritton <br />Chair, House Agriculture & Natural Resources/Senate General Government <br />House Budget Conference <br />222 The. Capitol <br />402 South Monroe Street <br />Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300 <br />RE Specific Appropriation 1653 -.Statewide Beach Projects <br />Dear Representative Albritton: <br />VISIT FLORIDA recently estimated that approximately 94.7 million visitors came to Florida in 20134 This <br />is yet another record year for tourism for a state that is known for its sunny skies and beautiful, sandy <br />beaches. This image however, is not by accident but rather quite deliberate. For well over twenty years, the <br />Florida Legislature has recognized that beach erosion is a statewide. problem. In response it tasked what is <br />now known as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection with the responsibility to determine <br />which beaches within the State of Florida are critically eroded. While the affected coastal county or city is <br />initially responsible for the costs assoc ated with .restoring and nourishing the eroded beach, the Florida <br />Legislature may appropriate fundsto re mburse the county or city .for a portion, of the costs if the project <br />meets all of the statutory qualifications. This cooperation between the State of Florida and Flor'da's local <br />governments to restore and nourish Florida's beaches creates a general :benefit for all of Florida's citizens by <br />promoting the sandy image that is essential to our thriving tourism industry. <br />As elected officials, use are in a position of great responsibility to protect Florida's image by preserving, <br />restoring and nourishing Florida's 1200 miles of coastline. Therefore, the Indian River Board of County <br />Conuntssiotiers respectfully requests that you support the Senate's proposed appropriation of approximately <br />$47 million for statewide beach projects for FY 2014-2015. <br />Sincerely yours, <br />Peter D O'Bryan, Chairm <br />Indian River County Board of Commissioners <br />cc: Hon. Debbie Mayfield <br />Hon. Joe Negron <br />Hon. Thad Altman <br />1 vISAl.diecGni INRA(noun ".{1.rniof(8.a.hPr+Vrccx}.urNave Building A, 1801 27h Street <br />Vero Beach, TL 32960-3388 <br />Telephone; 772-2264490 TAX; 772-770-5334 <br />