HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-085RESOLUTION NO. 2016- o85
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, SUPPORTING SENATOR NEGRON'S
INITIATIVE TO CLEAN WATER AND MOVE THE WATER
SOUTH OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon system, which stretches across 40 percent
of Florida's east coast, is 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, the Indian River 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, over the last decade, Senator Joe Negron has worked diligently to
promote and protect the Indian River Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, recent brown algae blooms in Brevard County and Indian River
County and toxic blue-green algae blooms in St. Lucie County and Martin County
demonstrate that although efforts have been made to improve the health of the Indian
River Lagoon, more needs to be done; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County (the "Board")
supports science based solutions to bring the Indian River Lagoon back to health; and
WHEREAS, Senator Negron has announced that he plans on working with property
owners in the Everglades Agricultural Area to secure voluntary purchases of land and implement
water storage projects to reduce harmful discharges into the St. Lucie Estuary; and
WHEREAS, Senator Negron's initiative is to store and clean phosphorus -laden water
before releasing such water into Everglades National Park; and
WHEREAS, permanent storage south of Lake Okeechobee is needed as part of the overall
plan to help improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon and the Everglades; and
WHEREAS, Senator Negron has been meeting with the agricultural community,
scientists, community advocates and others with relevant backgrounds and knowledge, regarding
strategies to reduce and eventually eliminate harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee; and
WHEREAS, Senator Negron has identified areas that appear optimum for new water
storage; and
1
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RESOLUTION NO. 2016- 085
WHEREAS, the estimated cost for such reservoirs which can provide 120 billion gallons
of storage in areas south of Lake Okeechobee is roughly $2.4 billion; and
WHEREAS, such areas can be used along with other existing projects to facilitate the flow
of water south of Lake Okeechobee: and
WHEREAS, Senator Negron, during his upcoming term as President of the Florida Senate,
will work to have the State of Florida partner with the federal government to finance the acquisition
of land and the construction of reservoirs to facilitate the flow of water south of Lake Okeechobee,
by utilizing documentary stamp tax revenue set aside by Amendment 1 over the next 20 years; and
WHEREAS, as now is the critical time for the Indian River Lagoon, the Board
commends Senator Negron for his initiative and supports his efforts to bring the Indian River Lagoon
back to health;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above '`WHEREAS" clauses are true and correct, and are
hereby adopted as findings of the Board of County Commissioners of Indian River
County.
SECTION 2. The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County commends
Senator Negron for his initiative and supports his efforts to improve the health of the Indian River
Lagoon.
SECTION 3. The County Administrator shall furnish copies of this resolution to Florida
Senate President-elect Joe Negron.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Flescher ,
and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis and, upon being put to a vote,
the vote was, as follows:
Chairman Bob Solari
AYE
Vice Chairman Joseph E. Flescher
AYE
Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan
AYE
Commissioner Wesley S. Davis
AYE
Commissioner Tim Zorc
AYE
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RESOLUTION NO. 2016- 085
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 20th day of
September, 2016.
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of Court
and Comptroller
By:
Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency
By.
i
'kfylan Remgold, County Attorney
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:,/�G
Bob Solari, Chairman
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