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RESOLUTION NO. 2007-166 <br />WHEREAS, the funding for the Florida Forever program will sunset in 2010 and <br />may be substantially exhausted prior to that date; and, <br />WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has found that well in excess <br />of $10 billion in State funding is currently needed to purchase wildlife and wilderness <br />areas, parks and open space for our state's ecological sustainability and increasing <br />human population; and <br />WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has also found that additional <br />billions of dollars in local funding is necessary in order that cities and counties can protect <br />additional wilderness areas, parks recreation areas and open space, in ways fully <br />complementary with those of the State, and <br />WHEREAS, a 2005 public opinion survey conducted by members of the Florida <br />Forever Coalition found that 78% of Florida's voters approve of the Florida Forever <br />program, and <br />WHEREAS, the benefits of Florida Forever have included joint funding for several <br />Indian River County projects, including the Lost Tree Islands and other land within the <br />Indian River Lagoon Blueway; and <br />WHEREAS, Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever have been essential to the <br />longevity and success of Indian River County s Environmental Lands Program by providing <br />nearly $35 million in funding towards properties preserved through this program, and <br />WHEREAS, this Resolution was authorized by the Indian River County Board of <br />County Commissioners ("Board") at its regularly scheduled meeting of December 11, <br />2007; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY <br />COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that: <br />1. The Board supports an increase in the funding allocated to the Florida Forever land <br />acquisition program. <br />2. The Board declares its support for the State of Florida Legislature to create and <br />fund a successor land acquisition program to the Florida Forever program. <br />3. The Chairman is authorized to send letters to the County's Legislative Delegation <br />relaying this Resolution and advocating additional funding for Florida Forever, as <br />well as the creation and funding of a successor program to Florida Forever as a <br />priority of the County. <br />4. This Resolution shall be effective upon adoption. <br />2 <br />