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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISBURSEMENT OF $400,000 FROM THE BISCAYNE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT TRUST FUND TO CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT IN BISCAYNE BAY THROUGH THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BISCAYNE BAY RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board, pursuant to Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, authorizes the disbursement of funds not to exceed $400,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund to provide funding for a two-year period for the removal and disposal of bay island trash and solid waste ($180,000), the removal of derelict vessels and marine debris ($150,000), the planting of native wetland plants and the monitoring of plant survival ($30,000) and the control of exotic plants ($40,000) through the Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program.

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Date:

To: Honorable Joe A. Martinez, Chairman
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Alina T. Hudak
County Manager

Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Disbursement of $400,000 from the Biscayne
Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund to Conduct Environmental
Enhancement in Biscayne Bay through the Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay
Restoration and Enhancement Program

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached resolution authorizing the disbursement of $400,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) for bay island trash and solid waste removal, derelict vessel and marine debris removal, bay environmental restoration, habitat maintenance and biological monitoring in connection with the ongoing County�s Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program.

Scope
This disbursement request will benefit coastal areas of Commission Districts 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9.

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
This resolution authorizes the disbursement of funds from the BBEETF for Biscayne Bay restoration and maintenance activities. This BBEETF disbursement is consistent with the BBEETF Ordinance codified in Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County (Code) that allows BBEETF funds to be used for the restoration and enhancement of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. Index Code: TFDE400010, Subobject: 22430, available balance: $534,000 as of March 31, 2011 (pending disbursements have been subtracted).

Track Record/Monitor
The Director of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) will monitor the activities performed with the BBEETF funds. The activities include all project-related tasks including overall program administration, outside funding requests and agreements, contractor selection, contract administration, restoration contract compliance, success monitoring, and final reporting.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
Background
As part of the Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program, DERM conducts various environmental restoration and enhancement activities throughout Biscayne Bay. These highly successful and popular projects are generally implemented on public lands and are assisted financially through state and federal funding programs such as the South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Inland Navigation District and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

The project agreements between Miami-Dade County and the funding agencies require long-term activities by DERM at previously restored sites such as the wetlands restoration projects at Virginia Key, Chapman Field and Oleta River State Park. Activities include routine trash and solid waste removal, supplemental plantings, exotic vegetation control, and biological monitoring. This disbursement request will provide funding for a two-year period for the removal and disposal of bay island trash and solid waste ($180,000), the removal of derelict vessels and marine debris ($150,000), the planting of native wetland plants and the monitoring of plant survival ($30,000) and the control of exotic plants ($40,000). These restoration activities will be conducted by County staff and by outside contractors under a later competitive bidding process.

I have received and considered the attached recommendation from the Director of DERM.

_______________________________
Assistant County Manager





Date:

May 2, 2011 To: Alina T.Hudak
County Manager From: Carlos Espinosa, PE, Director
Environmental Resources Management Subject: Recommendation for Disbursement of $400,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund to Conduct Environmental Enhancement in Biscayne Bay through the Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program


Pursuant to Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, I am recommending the disbursement of $400,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) for maintenance and monitoring at environmental restoration areas pursuant to project agreements between Miami-Dade County and various funding partners. The project agreements require long-term activities conducted by DERM at previously restored sites, such as the wetlands restoration projects at Virginia Key, Chapman Field and Oleta River State Park, in connection with the County�s ongoing Biscayne Bay Restoration and Enhancement Program.

The coastal environments in Biscayne Bay face many challenges and threats to their present and future health. This disbursement request will provide funding for a two-year period for the removal and disposal of bay island trash and solid waste ($180,000), the removal of derelict vessels and marine debris ($150,000), the planting of native wetland plants and the monitoring of plant survival ($30,000) and the control of exotic plants ($40,000).

These restoration activities will be conducted by County staff and by outside contractors under a later competitive bidding process.

The $400,000 requested to be disbursed are encumbered BBEETF monies that were deposited into the BBEETF for the purpose of restoration and enhancement of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore. The proposed activities are consistent with the goals and intent of the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund Ordinance as codified in Section 24-40 of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

Please contact me as needed at 305-372-6754.