Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Administration
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING FULL FUNDING FOR AND COMPLETION OF EVERGLADES RESTORATION PROJECTS; URGING APPROVAL OF THE $725 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EVERGLADES RESTORATION IN THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR FEDERAL BUDGET; URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO FULLY FUND EVERGLADES RESTORATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025; DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO TRANSMIT CERTIFIED COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Beam Furr)
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Why Action is Necessary
Formal Board approval is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the adoption and transmittal of the Resolution.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s goal of a Resilient Community, “ensuring accessible, seamlessly integrated investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection.”
The Everglades is a crucial natural resource that significantly impacts the environment, economy, and water quality of Broward County and the State of Florida. The Everglades system provides drinking water for more than nine million Floridians, protects communities from hurricanes and floods, supports Florida’s $1.2 billion fishing industry, and generates $150 million of direct spending annually in Everglades National Park.
Unfortunately, activities during the last century have substantially altered the geography, the hydrology, and other ecological aspects of the Everglades to the point where the health of the Everglades is critically at risk. To address these risks the United States Congress approved the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in 2000, which includes 68 projects designed to collectively restore and preserve the Everglades, including the signature CERP Project for Broward County, the Broward Water Preserve Areas. Given the importance of the Everglades to regional water storage, aquifer recharge, carbon sequestration, and mitigation of extreme temperatures in the context of climate change and extreme events, recovery of a robust Everglades ecosystem is one of the most significant investments that can serve to benefit overall resilience of South Florida and Broward County.
CERP funding derives from a 50/50 partnership between the federal government and the State of Florida. Significant progress has been made in the last several years with sizeable and consistent funding by the Federal Government, the Governor, and the Florida legislature. Although substantial progress has been made, additional funds and continued support is needed to accomplish the work under CERP.
The Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, through this resolution, is urging the continued support from the Federal Government by approving $725 million for Everglades restoration in the Federal Government's Fiscal Year 2025 budget. In addition, the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, through this resolution, is urging the continued support from the Florida Legislature to appropriate and the Governor to approve full funding for Everglades restoration for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer and Deputy Director, Resilient Environment Department, (954) 519-1464.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.