HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-158Resolution 10-158
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
REQUESTING THAT FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES
APPROPRIATE FUNDS AND ACCELERATE PROJECT
COMPLETION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE
EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN'S INDIAN RIVER
LAGOON-SOUTH C-23 AND C-24 RESERVOIRS AND
STORMWATERTREATMENTAREASPROJECTS IN ST.
LUCIE COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. The St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon are one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems
in the United States, and a healthy estuary provides immense socioeconomic benefits to
the community, and as such, is the economic lifeblood of Martin and St. Lucie Counties.
2. The North Fork of the St. Lucie River was designated an Aquatic Preserve in 1972 and is
designated an Outstanding Florida Water pursuant to Rule 62-302.700 F.A.C. and is
detrimentally affected by high nutrient discharges from the watershed.
3. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has designated the St. Lucie Estuary
an impaired water body for nutrients and established a Total Maximum Daily Load which
limits the concentration of nutrients entering the St. Lucie River and Estuary.
4. Drainage from the C-23 and C-24 drainage basins contain the highest levels of nutrients in
the watershed, which continue to damage the Estuary and Lagoon and make conditions
such that meeting the Total Maximum Daily Load in the Estuary unachievable.
5. .The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan's Final Indian River Lagoon-South Project
Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement indicate that the C-23 and
C-24 Stormwater Treatment Areas are designed to remove 80% of the phosphorus from
water entering the reservoirs.
6. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan's Final Indian River Lagoon-South Project
Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement also state that the Indian
River Lagoon ecosystem will continue to deteriorate and are in imminent danger of
ecological collapse if the plan is not implemented.
7. The South Florida Water Management District has invested $135 million in land acquisition
for the C-23 and C-24 projects with an estimated 1,300 acres needed to complete the
South Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area land acquisition.
8. The South Florida Water Management District has completed land acquisition forthe North
Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area therefore the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can
advance the project schedule and initiate design and construction prior to 2020.
9. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners continues to support Everglades
Restoration AND restoration of the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary.
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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water
Management District make completion of the C-23, C-24 projects a regional
priority, accelerate land acquisition, design and construction and complete the
projects earlier than currently scheduled.
Section 3: The Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County is
authorized to present this resolution to the South Florida Water Management
District Governing Board and leadership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and
to conduct meetings as appropriate to further the C-23 and C-24 projects.
Section 4: The County Administrator is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to the
St. Lucie County Congressional Delegation, and the Executive Director of South
Florida Water Management District, and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers Jacksonville District.
Section 5: This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this ~ `~ day of May 2010.
ATTEST:
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BOARD OF COUNTY CO MISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE.000NTY, FLO IDA
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APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM; AND
CORRECTNESS:
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