HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-122RESOLUTION NO. 16-122
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN SUPPORT OF FLORIDA SENATE PRESIDENT -DESIGNATE JOE NEGRON'S PLANS TO
PURSUE FUNDING TO ADD 120 BILLION GALLONS OF NEW WATER STORAGE SOUTH
OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE TO REPAIR THE FRAGILE EVERGLADES ECOSYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. The Everglades ecosystem, spanning from the Kissimmee River Valley to Florida Bay, is a
significant national resource and international treasure.
2. On Tuesday, August 9, 2016, State Senator Joe Negron called for a $2.4 billion state and
federal land -buying program to buy land to store water south of Lake Okeechobee and repair the
fragile Everglades ecosystem.
3. Senator Negron's initiative is to store and clean phosphorus -laden water before releasing
it into Everglades National Park.
4. Permanent storage south of Lake Okeechobee is unquestionably needed as part of the
overall plan to solve this catastrophic problem, particularly given the devastating effects the
current toxic algae blooms are causing in both our estuaries and the Everglades.
5. Senator Negron has been meetingwith the agricultural community, Florida's best scientists,
community advocates and others with relevant backgrounds and knowledge, regarding strategies
to reduce and eventually eliminate harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee. Certain areas that
appear optimal for new water storage have been identified as a result of these meetings. The
estimated cost of reservoirs on 60,000 acres of land providing 120 billion gallons of storage in the
area south of Lake Okeechobee is roughly $2.4 billion.
6. These proposed reservoirs were identified based on the ability to leverage existing
structures to facilitate the continued flow of water to the South. Senator Negron states that with
the federal government paying at least half of the cost of these reservoirs, the state's commitment
would be $1.2 billion. He proposes to use approximately $100 million annually of documentary
stamp tax revenue set aside by Amendment 1 over the next 20 years to finance the acquisition of
the land and construction of these reservoirs, and will pursue this funding during his upcoming
term as President of the Florida Senate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim its support for Florida Senate President -Designate Joe
Negron's plans to secure funding for his proposal to repair the fragile Everglades ecosystem.
2. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
3. The County Administrator is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the County's
federal and state legislative delegation.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 16th day of August 2016.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF
ST. LUCIE C
APPROVE
BY:
NERS
RRECTNESS: