HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-179RESOLUTION NO. 18-179
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
SUPPORTING THE BLUEFIELD AND SCOTT DISPERSED WATER PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE
CONTINUANCE OF THE IDEAL 1000 WATER FARM AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE SOUTH
FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENTTHESE PROJECTS AS EXPEDITIOUSLY
AS POSSIBLE
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 suffering from excessive freshwater
releases from both Lake Okeechobee, the regional flood control canals C-23, C-24 and C-25
and the urban coastal basins.
2. Over 50% of these releases come from the local basin via the regional flood control canals.
3. The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in July of this year for the counties of St
Lucie and Martin counties due to the toxic algal bloom which is caused by the freshwater
releases .
4. In 2016, The General Appropriations Act, Chapter 2016-66, Laws of Florida was amended
pursuant to House Bill No. 5001 to appropriate monies to fund projects in the Northern
Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP). Specifically, Line 1590A stated that
"...No less than $47,838,034 of the funds provided in Specific Appropriation 1590A shall be
used to implement the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program, as set forth
in section 373.4595, Florida Statutes, through public-private partnerships as provided in
section 373.4591, Florida Statutes.
5. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection identified six dispersed water projects
to be the recipient of this appropriation, and the Bluefield and Scott Dispersed water
projects are among those six projects and are the only projects that store water from the
local basins.
6. The Bluefield and Scott water projects combined could at a minimum keep over 70,000
acre feet of water (approximately 23 billion gallons ) originating in these flood control
canals from entering the St Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon annually. The Scott and
Bluefield water projects can both be in operation by the start of the next rainy season.
7. The South Florida Water Management District conducted several pilot water farms to
prove the concept prior to the legislative funding; and the Ideal 1000 water farm located
on C-24 was one of these pilots; and the Ideal 1000 water farm three year contract period
expired earlier this year; and whereas the Ideal 1000 water farm could still be in operation
keeping water from the St Lucie Estuary.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
1. For the health of our estuary, lagoon and citizens, this Board supports the Bluefield and
Scott Dispersed Water projects as well as the continuance of the Ideal 1000 water farm and
strongly encourage the South Florida Water Management District to implement these
projects as expeditiously as possible.
This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
3. The County Administrator is directed to send a copy ofthis resolution to the County's state
legislative delegation and the South Florida Water Management District.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 2nd day of October 2018.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: ST. LUCIE NTY, FLORIPk
B y
Deputy CI k Chair
APPROVED Al WFARIVI AND,CORRECTNESS:
BY:
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