RESOLUTION NO. 2002‑982      

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN; SUPPORTING FEDERAL AND STATE LAW HOLDING HISTORIC WATER USE HARMLESS FROM IMPLEMENTATION AND RECOGNIZING THE PRIORITY OF RESTORING OF THE EVERGLADES. 

 

 

            WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County has long supported Everglades restoration and recognizes it as an important part of the future economic well being of the region; and

            WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County voted to support  the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan ("CERP") on April 13, 1999; and

            WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County has publicly supported the Restoring the Everglades American Legacy (REAL) Act which was signed into law as Title VI of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, authorizing the CERP as the framework for "restoration, preservation and protection of the South Florida ecosystem while providing for other water related needs of the region"; and

            WHEREAS, Broward County recognizes that the Governor’s Commission for a Sustainable South Florida developed a consensus around the concept that existing users would be held harmless from CERP; and

            WHEREAS, the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 reflects this consensus by holding harmless from CERP implementation the quantities of water in use in December 2000; and

            WHEREAS, Broward County recognizes that water uses brought online after December 2000 are not held harmless from CERP but do enjoy all relevant legal protections afforded them under other federal and/or state laws; and

            WHEREAS, Broward County has long recognized that the first priority of CERP is the restoration of the Everglades; and

            WHEREAS, Broward County is committed to working with other local governments, scientists and interest groups to ensure that the benefits projected by CERP for urban agricultural water supply are achieved without diminishing the timing or magnitude of restoration benefits; NOW, THEREFORE,

            BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA:

            Section 1.     The Board of County Commissioners of Broward County recognizes the significant value of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

            Section 2.     The Board of County Commissioners of Broward County supports state and federal law that provides assurance that CERP implementation will hold harmless the quantities of water in use in December 2000. 

            Section 3.     The Board of County Commissioners of Broward County recognizes that, while CERP is likely to produce considerable water for future urban populations, the first priority of CERP is the restoration of the Everglades.

            Section 4.     A certified copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Broward County League of Cities, the Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and Working Group, the Chair of the Broward County State Legislative Delegation and the Executive Director of the  Broward County League of Cities.

            Section 5.     EFFECTIVE DATE

            This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.

 

            ADOPTED this 4^th day of November, 2002.