HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-095 RESOLUTION NO. 2002- 095
A RESOLUTION ,OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS�' OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING PROMOTION OF THE INDIAN
RIVER LAGOON BLUEWAY PROJECT TO THE 'A'
ACQUISITION LIST UNDER THE FLORIDA FOREVER
PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile long estuary on Florida's east coast,
has been designated by the United States Government as an Estuary of National Significance;
and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon system contains more species of plants and
animals than any other estuary in North America, 36 of which are rare, endangered, or
threatened; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon has been documented to be worth more than $730
million annually including fishery revenues and more than $300 million annually in boat and
marine sales; and
WHEREAS, restoration and protection of the Indian River Lagoon system, including
associated estuarine wetlands and undeveloped riverfront upland buffers, are critical to sustain
the viability of the Lagoon as a natural and economic resource; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, in cooperation the St.
Johns River Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, and the
Florida Counties of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin, sponsored the Lagoon-
wide Indian River Lagoon Blueway CARL application in 1996 for State acquisition of estuarine
wetlands and undeveloped upland buffers associated with the Indian River Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, the Acquisition Restoration Council is considering the re-prioritization of
projects on the Florida Forever list; and
WHEREAS, State purchase of Indian River Lagoon wetlands and buffers for restoration
and protection purposes is in the public interest of the citizens of Indian River County and
complements County efforts and objectives to preserve the environmental and economic values
of the Indian River Lagoon contained within the Comprehensive Management Plans of Indian
River County, the National Estuary Program, and the Surface Water Improvement and
Management Program.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Page 1 of 2
t�
RESOLUTION NO. 2002- 095
Section 1. That the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners supports the
Promotion of the Indian River Lagoon Blueway Project to the `A' Acquisition List by the
Acquisition Restoration Council for the State Florida Forever purchase of estuarine wetlands and
undeveloped upland buffers associated with the Indian River Lagoon for resource protection and
restoration purposes.
Section 2. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 12th day of
November, 2002.
XT41i5
., BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY FLORIDA
y
rf w
#' � ` RK
RAM. STANB
RIDGE, AN
r
f
r•
Page 2 of 2