HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-106RESOLUTION NO. 18-106
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE TIMELY FUNDING
OF THE C-23 AND C-24 RESERVOIRS AND COMPLETION OF THE
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON -SOUTH PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon -South (IRL South) project was authorized by Congress
in 2007 and includes several interdependent components, such as the C-23, C-24, C-25, and C-44
reservoirs and associated stormwater treatment areas; and
WHEREAS, the entire IRL South project is critical to addressing the overall health of the
Everglades system of south Florida; and
WHEREAS, the C-44 reservoir and stormwater treatment area began construction in 2011
and is scheduled to be completed in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Corps of Engineers' Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS) provides the
sequencing strategy for planning, design and construction of federal projects based on ecosystem
needs and benefits and is a part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Programmatic
Regulations; and
WHEREAS, design for the C-23 and C-24 North reservoirs is scheduled to begin in fiscal
year (FY) 2018 per the IDS, with design work for the C-23 and C-24 South reservoirs beginning in
FY 2019; and
WHEREAS, the South Florida Water Management District has acquired 9,759 acres of
land to complete the design of the C-23, C-24 and C-25 reservoirs and stormwater treatment
areas; and
WHEREAS, St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners in 2014 committed $1
million towards the land acquisition efforts of the South Florida Water Management District;
and
WHEREAS, the Administration has not included funding for the design of these important
projects in its FY 2018 or FY 2019 budget submission to Congress; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of the IRL-South project depend on the timely completion of all
project components, and significant water quality improvements needed to prevent future algal
blooms and enhance the health of the Indian River Lagoon will not be realized until all projects
are completed; and
WHEREAS, the health of the Indian River Lagoon is vital to the economy of South Florida,
with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and East Central Florida Regional Planning
Council concluding in a 2016 study that the Indian River Lagoon has an annual economic output
of $7.6 billion, with an additional $934 million in annualized real estate value added; and
WHEREAS, the delay of funding for design of these projects will delay construction,
increase costs, and defer the benefits promised.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST.
LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Section 1. The Board supports appropriate funding for the C-23 and C-24 reservoirs and the
timely completion of the entire Indian River Lagoon -South project.
Section 2. The Board further requests that the Administration appropriately fund the Corps
of Engineers' Integrated Delivery Schedule for Everglades Restoration.
Section 3. The County Administrator is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the
members of the County's federal legislative delegation.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida
at a meeting held on the 51h day of June 2018.
Chair Frannie Hutchinson AYE
Vice Chair Linda Bartz AYE
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky AYE
Commissioner Anthony Bonna AYE
Commissioner Cathy Townsend AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 5th day of June, 2018.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIP4
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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
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