TITLE
RESOLUTION JOINING THE BISCAYNE BAY COALITION IN SUPPORT OF THE COMPLETION OF THE BISCAYNE BAY COASTAL WETLANDS PROJECT

BODY
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay is a part of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the majority of Biscayne Bay is designated as a national park which protects approximately 172,000 acres of submerged lands and associated coastal habitats; and
WHEREAS, the remainder of Biscayne Bay is designated as an aquatic preserve and �Outstanding Florida Waters,� which protect approximately 55,000 acres of bay waters; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay spans the entire coast of Miami-Dade County and is an iconic part of the view-scape of Miami and the Beaches; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay supports the economy of Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas through tourism, recreation, fishing and the shipping industries, including the Port of Miami; and
WHEREAS, the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve and Biscayne National Park are nursery grounds for numerous species that support the commercial and recreational fisheries vital to Miami-Dade�s economy; and
WHEREAS, the quality of the water in and entering Biscayne Bay is essential for human health and safety and sustaining a healthy, productive, and well-balanced environment; and
WHEREAS, fresh water flows into Biscayne Bay have been severely diminished due to impacts from drainage and alterations to historic Everglades flow patterns; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay is a natural estuary in need of ongoing monitoring and restoration; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay supports endangered and threatened species; and
WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay and its coastal wetlands play a vital role in the Atlantic flyway serving as a migratory pathway for wildlife and is globally important; and
WHEREAS, the Biscayne Bay Coalition was formed by the Tropical Audubon Society to improve the health of Biscayne Bay,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Joins the Biscayne Bay Coalition in supporting the completion of the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project and its goals toward restoration of Biscayne Bay, as part of the Greater Everglades and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Section 2. Supports in concept the development and adoption of a state rule to protect the current beneficial flow of surface and ground water into Biscayne Bay subject to evaluation with regard to the water supply needs of Miami-Dade County.
Section 3. Supports state and local government land acquisition efforts to purchase coastal wetlands and adjacent lands needed for the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project and recharge of Miami-Dade�s aquifer.