HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-015RESOLUTION NO. 2007- 015
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR FLORIDA FOREVER AND THE CREATION
OF A SUCCESSOR PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the Florida Forever program and its predecessor
Preservation 2000 program have immeasurably contributed to environmental health,
quality of life, recreation, and sustainability in Florida for this and future generations,
and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has acquired over one million acres
throughout Florida since 2000 and allocates $300 million annually to purchase and
restore environmentally sensitive and outdoor recreation lands, and has done so
through numerous successful partnerships with cities, counties, state agencies, water
management districts, nonprofit organizations, private landowners, and others in
achieving its conservation purposes, and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, Water Management Districts, Division of Forestry and others,
produces benefits that include clean air and water; healthy fisheries and wildlife habitat;
improved water supply protection; and protected open spaces including greenway
corridors, recreational and park lands, forests, and water bodies, and
RESOLUTION NO. 2007- 015
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Communities Trust, has
assisted Florida's cities and counties in protecting their cultural and historical resources,
meeting the challenges of growth management, and providing recreational outdoor
experiences in both urban and rural settings, and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has helped to save many of Florida's
beaches, rivers, bays, forests, coral reefs and estuaries that provide the foundation for
our $3 billion tourism industry that attracts more than 80 million visitors each year, and
WHEREAS, thirty Florida local governments, including Indian River
County, have enacted land acquisition financing programs in the past decades, and
these conservation programs serve to leverage Florida Forever funding and increase
the impact of State land conservation funding, and
WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing rapid population growth, with
approximately 1,100 new residents every day; and Floridians demand a high quality of
life that includes clean water and air, green open space, access to water and
recreational opportunities, and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever and other land conservation programs must
compete in Florida's market of surging land and housing prices; and,
WHEREAS, the effectiveness of Florida Forever has diminished because
of escalating land prices and the impacts of inflation; and,
WHEREAS, the funding for the Florida Forever program will sunset in
2010 and may be substantially exhausted prior to that date; and,
WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has found that well
in excess of $10 billion in State funding is currently needed to purchase wildlife and
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RESOLUTION NO. 2007- 015
wilderness areas, parks and open space for our state's ecological sustainability and
increasing human population, and
WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has also found that
additional billions of dollars in local funding is necessary in order that cities and counties
can protect additional wilderness areas, parks, recreation areas and open space, in
ways fully complementary with those of the State, and
WHEREAS, a 2005 public opinion survey conducted by members of the
Florida Forever Coalition found that 78% of Florida's voters approve of the Florida
Forever program, and
WHEREAS, the benefits of Florida Forever have included joint funding for
several Indian River County projects, including the Lost Tree Islands and other land
within the Indian River Lagoon Blueway, and
WHEREAS, Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever have been essential
to the longevity and success of Indian River County's Environmental Lands Program by
providing nearly $35 million in funding towards properties preserved through this
program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
1. The Board supports an increase in the funding allocated to Florida
Forever.
2. The Board declares it support to the State of Florida Legislature for
the creation and funding of a successor program to the Florida Forever program.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2007- 015
3. The Chairman is authorized to send letters to the legislative
delegation relaying this resolution and advocating additional funding for Florida Forever,
as well as the creation and funding of a successor program to Florida Forever.
4. This resolution shall be effective upon adoption.
The resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner
0' Bryan , and the motion was seconded by Commissioner
Davi s , and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
this
Gary C. Wheeler, Chairman
Sandra L. Bowden, Vice Chairman
Wesley S. Davis
Joseph E. Flescher
Peter D. O'Bryan
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted
20th day of February
ATTEST: Jeffrey K. Barton
Clerk of Court
644k.
Deputy Clerk
, 2007.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER`COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
C. Wheeler; Chairman
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APPROVED A$ TO !ORM
AND LEGAL SUP ENCV
WILLIAM G. COLLIN 0 ,vJ
COUNTY ATTORNEY