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HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-027RESOLUTION NO. 16-027 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR 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 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 and St. Lucie Counties. 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 watershed 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, 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, since the beginning of this year, the St. Lucie River Estuary water quality has been poor, in part due to low salinity levels and high bacteria content. Prolonged exposure to low salinity levels has been demonstrated to cause harm to natural shellfish communities and habitat. WHEREAS, the Martin County Board of County Commissioners passed Resolution No. 16- 2.3 on February 9, 2016 requesting the Governor take necessary action for the protection of the St. Lucie Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon. WHEREAS, On February 10, 2016, the Florida Department of Health released a public advisory urging residents to avoid contact with the North Fork of the St. Lucie River due to high enteric bacteria levels. WHEREAS, on February 11, 2016, Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to the Secretary of the US Army Corps of Engineers requesting that the Corps take immediate action to relieve the flooding in the Everglades Water Conservation Areas and the releases of water from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries. WHEREAS, this Board requests that the Governor declare an emergency so that the Counties 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 BYTHE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: 1. St. Lucie County requests that the Governor of the State of Florida consider issuing an Executive 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. 2. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners requests that the State and Federal Government provide economic assistance to the businesses damaged by the discharges. 3. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners request the Legislature use Amendment 1 funds for design of 507,000 acre-feet of additional storage, treatment, and conveyance south of Lake Okeechobee, and for the associated purchase of identified land for said storage to redirect water that would otherwise be discharged into the estuaries, away from the estuaries, as recommended in the 2015 Independent Technical Review bythe University of Florida Water Caloosahatchee Estuaries and Move More Water from Lake Okeechobee to the Southern Everglades. 4. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners urges completion of the CERP. 5. The County Administrator shall forward this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Florida, the County's State and Federal legislative delegation and the Martin County Administrator. 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. After motion and second, the vote on this resolution was as follows: Chairman Kim Johnson AYE Vice Chairman Chris Dzadovsky AYE Commissioner Tod Mowery AYE Commissioner Paula A. Lewis AYE Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson ABSENT PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this le day of February, 2016. ATTEST: BOARD OF CO�OTY CO ISSIONERS ST. LUCIECTY„ O IDA 4A BY: C APPROVED AS/rO,IEGALAORM AND CORRECTNESS: A'