TITLE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISBURSEMENT OF $200,000 FROM THE BISCAYNE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT TRUST FUND FOR MANATEE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memoranda, 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 $200,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund for manatee protection and preservation activities.

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Date:

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

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Disbursement of $200,000 from the
Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund For Manatee
Protection and Preservation Activities

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners authorize the disbursement of $200,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) for manatee protection and preservation activities.

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

Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
This disbursement is consistent with the goals and intent of the Biscayne Bay Trust Fund Ordinance as described in Section 7-22 of the Code of Miami-Dade County. The BBEETF available balance (minus other pending disbursements): $372,000 as of June 30, 2011. Index Code: TFDE400010, Subobject: 22430.

Track Record/Monitor
The Restoration and Enhancement Section of the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) will monitor the activities performed with the BBEETF funds.

MANAGER'S BACKGROUND
Background
The BBEETF was established by Ord. 04-214 to fund environmental enhancement of Biscayne Bay and its foreshore, as defined in Ch. 24-40 and Ch. 7-22 of the Code.�The BBEETF is funded from (1) vessel registration fees collected by the County; (2) enforcement actions involving the Bay; (3) environmental mitigation assessments for permitted work in the Bay; and (4) donations or grants for environmental enhancement of the Bay.� These sources generate approximately $800,000 annually for the BBEETF.

DERM conducts various manatee protection and preservation activities using County and outside resources.� This $200,000 disbursement from the BBEETF is for ongoing protection and preservation activities for the West Indian Manatee, an indigenous endangered species, as called for in the Miami-Dade Manatee Protection Plan.

Manatee-related activities include responding to sightings and requests for assistance with manatee rescue and carcass verification; conducting periodic surveys of manatee distribution throughout Biscayne Bay and tidal tributaries; responding to public inquiries; updating and maintaining a comprehensive database on manatee distribution; promoting public awareness of manatee presence, protection and boating regulations; and implementing recommendations associated with the review of the Manatee Protection Plan.�

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


________________________________
Jack Osterholt, Deputy Mayor

OTHER
Date: August 3, 2011

To: Carlos A. Gimenez
Mayor

From: Lee N. Hefty, Assistant Director
Department of Environmental Resources Management

Subject:Request for disbursement from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund for Manatee Protection Activities


Attached please find, for consideration by the Board of County Commissioners, a Resolution for a disbursement of $200,000 from the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund (BBEETF) to conduct ongoing and necessary activities related to manatee protection.

As you may know, DERM conducts various manatee protection and preservation activities using County and outside resources.� These activities include responding to sightings and requests for assistance with manatee rescue and carcass verification; periodic surveys of manatee distribution throughout Biscayne Bay and tidal tributaries; responding to public inquiries and sightings of manatees in canals throughout the County; updating and maintaining a comprehensive database on manatee distribution; promoting public awareness of manatee presence, protection and boating regulations; and activities required by recommendations associated with the review of the Manatee Protection Plan.�

This disbursement is consistent with the goals and intent of the Biscayne Bay Trust Fund Ordinance as described in Section 7-22 of the Code of Miami-Dade County.

Please contact me at (305) 372-6750 as needed.