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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO COORDINATE WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (�FDEP�) TO SEEK MODIFICATION OF FIELD PERMIT NO. 8042676-DA, RELATED TO MECHANICAL BEACH CLEANING, TO GRANT THE COUNTY DISCRETION TO SELECT ADDITIONAL SARGASSUM HOT SPOTS TO INCLUDE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF SAID PERMIT, AS NEEDED AND WHENEVER FEASIBLE, AND WITHOUT REQUIRING FURTHER APPROVALS BY FDEP

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WHEREAS, tourism is Miami-Dade County�s largest industry, and the County�s beaches are major tourist attractions; and
WHEREAS, the presence of sargassum seaweed on County beaches has dramatically increased in recent years, and this increase may have negative impacts on County residents� quality of life; and
WHEREAS, when sargassum seaweed accumulates on the beach, it emits a hazardous gas that may cause respiratory problems and an unpleasant odor; and
WHEREAS, the presence of sargassum seaweed can have a deleterious effect on the tourism industry and impede visitors� and residents� enjoyment of the natural beauty of our beaches; and
WHEREAS, the County�s Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (�PROS�) is responsible for maintaining 17 miles of County beaches; and
WHEREAS, PROS works collaboratively with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (�FDEP�) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to follow all applicable regulations and obtain required permits for beach cleaning; and
WHEREAS, section 161.053, Florida Statutes authorizes FDEP to approve permits for local governments to conduct certain coastal activities, including mechanical beach cleaning; and
WHEREAS, Field Permit No. 8042676-DA (the �Permit�) authorizes the County to mechanically remove accumulated sargassum from the following specified hot spot locations: the areas between FDEP Monuments DA R-095 to DA R-101 (Crandon Park), DA R-074 to DA R-072 (Miami Beach Government Cut to 3rd Street), DA R-063 to DA R-061 (Miami Beach 22nd Street to 26th Street), DA R-061 to DA R-059 (Miami Beach 26th Street to 32nd Street), DA R-028 to DA R-27 (Bal Harbour Pier), and DA R-026 (Haulover Jetty); and
WHEREAS, the Permit was approved pursuant to chapter 62B-33 of the Florida Administrative Code (�F.A.C.�), this approval is specifically limited to beach cleaning in the listed sargassum hot spots, and the Permit states that any additions or modifications require prior FDEP approval; and
WHEREAS, Rule 62B-33.013, F.A.C. provides that �minor changes or modifications, including minor additions, revisions, or structural modifications of permitted projects or activities that are within the scope of the permit, shall be made upon request of the applicant�; and
WHEREAS, under Rule 62B-33.013, F.A.C., major permit modifications, �including additions, revisions, or structural modifications of permitted projects or activities shall be reviewed in the same manner as the initial application�; and
WHEREAS, if granted more flexibility to select additional sargassum hot spots to include within the scope of the Permit, as needed and whenever feasible, and without further review by FDEP, the County may remove sargassum from beaches more efficiently; and
WHEREAS, therefore, this Board wishes to direct the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to coordinate with FDEP to seek a minor or major modification of the Permit, as appropriate, to grant the County discretion to select additional sargassum hot spots to include within the scope of the Permit, as needed and whenever feasible, and without requiring further approvals by FDEP,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to seek a minor or major modification of Field Permit No. 8042676-DA, as appropriate, to grant the County discretion to select additional sargassum hot spots to include within the scope of the Permit, as needed and whenever feasible, and without requiring further approvals by FDEP.