HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-294RESOLUTION NO. 02-294
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PROMOTION
OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON BLUEWAY
PROJECT TO THE 'A' ACQUISITION LIST
UNDER THE FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM
FOR ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made
the following determinations:
1. The Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile long estuary on Florida's east coast, has been
designated by the United States Government as an Estuary of National Significance.
2. The Indian River Lagoon system contains more species of plants and animals than any
other estuary in North America, 36 of which are rare, endangered, or threatened.
3. The Indian River Lagoon has been documented to be worth mor~ than $730 million
annually including fishery revenues and more than $300 million annually in boat and marine sales.
4. Restoration and protection of the Indian River Lagoon system, including associated
estuarine wetlands and undeveloped riverfront upland buffers, are critical to sustain the viability of
the Lagoon as a natural and economic resource.
5. The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, in cooperation with the St. Johns
River Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, and the Florida
Counties ofVolusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin, sponsored the Lagoon-wide Indian
River Lagoon Blueway CARL application in 1996 for State acquisition of estuarine wetlands and
undeveloped upland buffers associated with the Indian River Lagoon.
6. The Acquisition Restoration Council is considering the re-prioritization of projects on the
Florida Forever list.
7. State purchase of Indian River Lagoon wetlands and buffers for restoration and protection
purposes is in the public interest of the citizens of St. Lucie County and complements County efforts
and objectives to preserve the environmental and economic values of the Indian River Lagoon,
contained within the Comprehensive Management Plans of St. Lucie County, the National Estuary
Program, and the Surface Water Improvement and Management Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St.
Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board supports the promotion of the Indian River LagoonBluewayProject to the 'A'
Acquisition List by the Acquisition Restoration Council for the State Florida Forever purchase of
estuarine wetlands and undeveloped upland buffers associated with the Indian River Lagoon for
resoume protection and restoration purposes.
2. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption
Chairman Cliff Barnes AYE
Vice-Chairman Paula A. Lewis AYE
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson AYE
Commissioner John D. Bruhn AYE
Commissioner Doug Coward AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 19th day of November, 2002.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUfY~RIDA
BY:
CIt~._MAN
APPROVEI~ AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
Y