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RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT S. 46, H.R. 160, THE RESTORING RESILIENT REEFS ACT OF 2021, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION REAUTHORIZING THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000 AND ESTABLISHING THE UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE

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WHEREAS, coral reefs are unique ecosystems that play an important role in the environment and economy of the communities where they exist; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Reef Tract is a coral reef system that runs along the coast of South Florida, from Martin County to the Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Reef Tract is a haven of marine biodiversity and a beloved tourist and recreational attraction, contributing over $6 billion per year to Florida�s tourism economy; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the Florida Reef Tract enhances South Florida�s resilience by helping protect the people and infrastructure along the coast from flooding and storms; and
WHEREAS, nevertheless, the outbreak of an unknown coral disease has increasingly harmed the Florida Reef Tract over the past few years; and
WHEREAS, on December 23, 2000, the United States Congress enacted the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to promote coral reef conservation in the United States by, among other things, requiring a national coral reef action strategy, creating a program for providing grants for coral reef conservation projects, and allowing for grants of emergency assistance to protect coral reefs from disasters; and
WHEREAS, on January 26, 2021, United States Senators Marco Rubio (R � Florida) and Rick Scott (R � Florida) introduced S. 46, a bill entitled the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021, for consideration during the 117th Congress; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2021, United States Congressmen Darren Soto (D � Florida) and Brian Mast (R � Florida) introduced H.R. 160, the companion bill to S. 46; and
WHEREAS, the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 would reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 by taking a more robust and dynamic approach to implementing coral reef conservation policies at the federal level and supporting and coordinating coral reef conservation policies at the state level; and
WHEREAS, the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 would provide, among other things, for the following:
* The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would be required to create a national coral reef resilience strategy and to work with other federal agencies having jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems, such as the National Park Service, to develop coral reef action plans;
* The NOAA Administrator and the Secretary of the Interior would be authorized to conduct various activities to conserve and restore coral reef ecosystems, including, among other things, restoring degraded coral reef ecosystems, promoting ecologically sound navigation and anchorages, and responding to disease outbreaks;
* States with jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems, including Florida, could voluntarily participate in federal coral reef programs and in turn receive federal funding and other assistance;
* State managers of coral reef ecosystems could petition the Secretary of Commerce for financial and other assistance in the event of a coral reef emergency;
* Over $150 million would be authorized to be appropriated over the next five years in furtherance of this new legislation; and
* A United States Coral Reef Task Force would be established �to lead, coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government actions to better preserve, conserve, and restore coral reef ecosystems�, with the task force to be composed of federal officials and other members, including the Governor of Florida or his representative; and
WHEREAS, in Resolution No. R-977-19, this Board urged the United States Congress to enact S. 2429, H.R. 4160, the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2019, which was substantially similar to the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021; and
WHEREAS, although the United States Senate passed the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2019, the United States House of Representatives did not pass it before the 116th Congress concluded; and
WHEREAS, this Board wishes to support the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 to help protect the Florida Reef Tract and the environment and economy of Miami-Dade County,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress to enact S. 46, H.R. 160, the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021, or similar legislation reauthorizing the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and establishing the United States Coral Reef Task Force.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott, Representative Darren Soto, Representative Brian Mast, and the remaining Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2021 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.