HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-094RESOLUTION NO.2013-OW14
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING MARTIN COUNTY AND ST.
LUCIE COUNTY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REQUEST THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THROUGH
EXECUTIVE ORDER AND/OR OTHER POWERS
AVAILABLE UNDER THE LAW, TO ACTIVATE ALL
AVAILABLE STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY AND
RELIEF RESOURCES AND MECHANISMS FOR THE
PROTECTION OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND ST.
LUCIE ESTUARY WITHIN THEIR COUNTIES.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon is a diverse, shallow -water estuary
stretching across 40 percent of Florida's east coast; and
WHEREAS, the Lagoon is an important commercial and recreational fishery and
economic resource to the state and region. The total estimated annual economic value of the
lagoon is $3.7 billion, supporting 15,000 full and part-time jobs and providing recreational
opportunities for 11 million people per year; and
WHEREAS, the St. Lucie River and Estuary is an ecological jewel on Florida's
Treasure Coast that is integral to the environmental and economic well-being of Martin
County and St. Lucie County. The St. Lucie River is part of the larger Indian River Lagoon
system, the most diverse estuarine environment in North America with more than 4,000 plant
and animal species, including manatees, oysters, dolphins, sea turtles and seahorses; and
WHEREAS, extensive historical modifications to the St. Lucie River and its water-
shed have altered the hydrology of the region and as a result, heavy rainfall can bring large
influxes of fresh water into the St. Lucie Estuary from storm water runoff within the basin, Lake
Okeechobee releases or both. The increased freshwater flows affect salinity levels and water
quality in the estuary, potentially causing environmental harm; and
WHEREAS, this runoff is causing a public health threat as microcystis aeruginosa,
a single -celled blue green alga, or cyanobacterium, has proliferated in the Lagoon to form
dense blooms, which produce multiple toxins, including liver toxins, as well as neurotoxins;
and
WHEREAS, 47,000 acres of sea grass have been killed to date in the Indian River
Lagoon since 2010, which far exceeds any documented or remembered events in terms of
geographic scale, bloom intensity and duration. It is alarming because sea grass is an
indicator of the Lagoon's health, a food source for manatees and a nursery, refuge and a place
of forage for a variety of fish and other marine life; and
WHEREAS, fresh water discharges are killing sea life - 280 Manatees, 60 Bottle-
nose Dolphins and 250 Brown Pelicans have died in the Indian River since 2010; and
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WHEREAS, the Lagoon is at a turning point. The coming months could herald a
slow recovery of this unique ecosystem or an imminent collapse of the remaining portion of
the estuary that has been sustainable up to this point; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, support Martin
County and St. Lucie County in their efforts to request that the Governor of the State of Florida
declare an emergency so that Martin County and St. Lucie County can proceed to seek direct
assistance with any and all agencies of the State of Florida as may be needed to meet this
emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Indian River County supports Martin County and St. Lucie
County in their requests that the Governor of the State of Florida consider issuing an Exec-
utive Order, and/or other powers available under law, to activate all available State and Local
emergency and relief resources and mechanisms to protect the Indian River Lagoon and the
St. Lucie Estuary.
SECTION 2. The County Administrator shall forward this Resolution to the Governor
of the State of Florida and to the Martin County Administrator and the St. Lucie County
Administrator.
SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner �orc
and the motion was seconded by Commissioner. Solari and, upon being put to a vote,
the vote was, as follows:
Chairman Joseph E. Flescher Ave
Vice Chairman Wesley S. Davis AyP
Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan Ave
Commissioner Bob Solari Ave
Commissioner Tim Zorc Aye
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed an
d adopted this �� day
of September, 2013.
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of Court
and Comptroller
By:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Deputy Clerk
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
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E. Flescher, Chairman
proved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Reingold, County Attorn