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RESOLUTION NO. 2006-193
<br /> A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
<br /> OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THAT THE
<br /> UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RESTORE FULL
<br /> FUNDING TO THE SOUTHEAST NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
<br /> SYSTEM BUDGET.
<br /> WHEREAS, fish and wildlife refuges exist throughout the southeast United States,
<br /> Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and including, without limitation, those located in Alabama,
<br /> Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
<br /> and Tennessee, inclusive of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and Archie Carr National
<br /> Wildlife Refuge located in Indian River County, Florida; and
<br /> WHEREAS, during the last session of Congress, budget cutbacks were made to the
<br /> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service budget that will affect services offered within all fish and wildlife
<br /> refuges as set forth above; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is officially the first National
<br /> Wildlife Refuge in the United States established in 1903 and attracts 66,000 annual visitors;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS, nationally, the effect of these budget cutbacks may include the reduction of
<br /> public access at some national wildlife refuges; scaling back education and outreach
<br /> opportunities for educators, students and instructors; and reductions in some biological
<br /> monitoring and maintenance programs,
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF
<br /> INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
<br /> 1. The Board requests that full funding be restored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
<br /> Service to the Southeast National Wildlife Refuge System budget so that the services to fish
<br /> and wildlife refuges throughout the southeast United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
<br /> Islands, and including, without limitation, those located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
<br /> Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, inclusive of
<br /> Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge located in
<br /> Indian River County, Florida, will not be reduced or otherwise adversely affected, and
<br /> 2. The Board directs that.copies of this Resolution be sent to Senator Bill Nelson,
<br /> Senator Mel Martinez, and Congressman David Weldon.
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