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RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS AND THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO FULLY FUND COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PROJECT (CERP) PROJECTS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

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WHEREAS, the Greater Everglades Ecosystem is a globally imperiled habitat and the primary source of drinking water for Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) is the largest ecosystem restoration effort in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the CERP is intended to restore fresh water sheet flows to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park; and
WHEREAS, Everglades Restoration is critical to Miami-Dade County�s efforts to adapt to the projected impact of sea level rise since the additional fresh water will help protect drinking water supplies from additional saltwater intrusion which has already been documented migrating several miles inland; and
WHEREAS, without restoration of freshwater flows, the western well-fields serving metropolitan Miami-Dade, could be compromised by salt water migrating from the low-lying Everglades ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the C-111 spreader canal and the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands rehydration projects are the only projects within CERP that will rehydrate wetlands and restore the estuaries within Biscayne National Park; and
WHEREAS, full funding for all phases of both of these projects are critical to the restoration of Biscayne National Park; and
WHEREAS, restoration of freshwater flow feeding into southern Biscayne Bay will help hold back saltwater intrusion already migrating farther inland; and
WHEREAS, CERP projects are not only important to the protection of our region�s environment and drinking water supply, but will provide much needed jobs and strengthen the local economy,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to fully fund Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) projects, in particular, projects designed to return fresh water to Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park and protect drinking water supplies for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.
Section 2. Urges the U.S. Congress to include Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands and C-111 spreader canal projects in the 2010 Water Resources Development Act.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, the Governor of Florida, the President of the Florida Senate, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.
Section 4. Directs the County�s federal and state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Sections 1 and 2 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2010 Federal and State Legislative Packages.