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County Administrator's Report 10. 13.
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| BCC Regular Meeting |
Technical/Public Service Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning a Resolution Expressing Support for the Northwest Florida Estuaries and Watersheds Project - Keith T. Wilkins, Community & Environment Department Director
That the Board adopt and authorize the Chairman to sign the Resolution expressing support for the Northwest Florida Estuaries and Watersheds Project that will establish Estuary Programs for the comprehensive management, restoration, and protection of seven Northwest Florida Estuaries, including Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, and St. Marks. |
| BACKGROUND: |
Northwest Florida Estuaries, including Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay and their associated natural resources, provide boating, fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreational and economic opportunities for citizens and visitors of Florida. Mismanagement of these Northwest Florida Estuaries may exacerbate flooding and property loss, negatively impact water quality and estuarine habitat, negatively affect the local economy and tourism, and threaten the health, safety and welfare of Florida's citizens and visitors.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State of Florida are seeking funding to “stand up” and establish Estuary Programs in seven Northwest Florida Estuaries including Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, and St. Marks in order to comprehensively coordinate the management and improvement of these estuaries and their natural resources. Elected officials, local, state and federal government staffs, The Nature Conservancy, citizens, academia, and other stakeholders from the Northwest Florida Estuaries have been actively participating in meetings for the past two years to identify and coordinate estuary management issues and efforts. All involved stakeholders support the establishment of Estuary Programs for the seven Northwest Florida Estuaries in order to comprehensively manage and improve water quality, habitat, natural resources, and economic benefits. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
| There is no budgetary impact associated with approval of the Resolution. |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| The Resolution was reviewed by Kristin Hual of the County Attorney’s Office. |
| PERSONNEL: |
| There is no impact to personnel associated with the Resolution. |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| This recommendation follows Board Policy 1.A.6., requiring the Chairman to sign resolutions. |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| The Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to Secretary Jonathan P. Steverson of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee; Director Shawn Hamilton of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Northwest District in Pensacola; Executive Director Brett Cyphers of the Northwest Florida Water Management District in Havana; Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Chair and Secretary of the Department of Commerce Penny Pritzker in Washington, DC; Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Executive Director Justin R. Ehrenwerth in Washington, DC; USEPA Secretary Gina McCarthy in Washington, DC; and USEPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Ken Kopocis in Washington, DC. |
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