HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-292 RESOLUTION NO. 09-292
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN
SUPPORT OF FEDERAL AND STATE INITIATIVES TO
INCREASE STORAGE, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, AND
THE TIMING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FRESHWATER TO
THE ST. LUCIE ESTUARY AND INDIAN RIVER LOCATED IN
SOUTHEAST COASTAL FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) regularly discharges excess
freshwater containing high levels of nutrients from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River
and estuary and Indian River Lagoon through a structure known as 5-308, which is operated by
the Corps and is used to send excess water to tide via the St. Lucie River, Estuary and Indian
River Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon are one of the most
biodiverse ecosystems in the United States, and a healthy estuary provides immense socio-
economic benefits to the community, and as such, is the economic lifeblood of Martin and St.
Lucie Counties; and
WHEREAS, the North Fork of the St. Lucie River was designated an aquatic prserve in
1972 and is designated an Outstanding Florida Water pursuant to Rule 62-302.700 F.A.C. and
is detrimentally affected by Lake Okeechobee discharges; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has designated the St.
Lucie Estuary an impaired waterbody for nutrients and established a Total Maximum Daily Load
which limits the concentration of nutrients entering the St. Lucie. River and Estuary; and
WHEREAS, freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee, combined with drainage from
the watershed, contain high levels of nutrients which continue to damage the Estuary and
Lagoon and make conditions such that meeting the Total Maximum Daily Load is unachievable;
and
WHEREAS, the release of large amounts of nutrient-laden fresh water from Lake
Okeechobee has resulted in toxic algal blooms rendering the waters of the St. Lucie River and
estuary unfit for human contact and the estuarine environment and character of the St. Lucie
River, decreasing biodiversity and destroying critically needed oyster beds and submerged
aquatic vegetation; and
WHEREAS, St. Lucie County supports the federal government's efforts to address the
problem of excess Lake Okeechobee waters by initiating projects including, but not limited to:
Indian River Lagoon South component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan,
Herbert Hoover Dike rehabilitation, and the Tamiami Trail Bridge construction project; and
WHEREAS, the Corp's critical project-Ten Mile Creek Reservoir and STA is complete
but non-functional and construction design and implementation for the C-23/C-24 component
of the Indian River Lagoon-South project, has been halted by the Corps; and
WHEREAS, the County desires that the Corps immediately fund and implement the C-
23/C-24 component of the Indian River Lagoon-South project and fix the Ten Mile Creek
Reservoir and STA project; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, desire that
the Corps intensify efforts to stop discharging pollutants and excess water into the St. Lucie
River and estuary system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St.
Lucie County, Florida:
Section 1: The foregoing. recitals contained in the preamble to this Resolution are
incorporated by reference herein.
Section 2: This Board requests that the United States Government intensify efforts
to stop discharging pollutants and excess water into the St. Lucie River and its estuary system.
Section 3: The County Administrator is hereby directed to send a copy of this
resolution to the St. Lucie County Congressional Delegation the Executive Director of South
Florida Water Management District, and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District.
Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 20th day of October 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST,.• ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Deputy, ~ C it
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BY
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