Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Henry A. Sniezek
Department: Environmental Protection Division: Environmental Planning & Comm. Resilience
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2020-094 within the Environmental Monitoring Laboratory’s contract fund in the amount of $22,656 for the purpose of recognizing revenues from the University of Miami contract for laboratory services provided in support of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP), Florida Keys Reasonable Assurance Document Plan (FKRAD), to address and reduce nutrient impairments near shore waters in the Florida Keys from October 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
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Why Action is Necessary
Appropriating revenue requires approval by the Board of County Commissioners.
What Action Accomplishes
Recognizes revenues provided by the University of Miami for services delivered by the Environmental Monitoring Laboratory in support of the Florida Keys Reasonable Assurance Plan (FKRAD) to identify nutrient impairments of coastal water in the Florida Keys.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Commission’s Value of “Encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection” Goal 4: Educate the public about the fragile South Florida ecosystems, impacts of severe weather, sea level rise, and climate change, with special emphasis on the coral reef ecosystem and Goal 5: Support and seek local, state, and federal funds for coastal management of coral reefs through collaboration with other governmental jurisdictions, by providing water quality analyses in support of coastal water initiatives in collaboration with regional partners.
Approval of this item recognizes reimbursement received by County’s Environmental Monitoring Laboratory from the University of Miami Research Center for analytical services performed in support of the Florida Keys Reasonable Assurance Document Plan (FKRAD) to address and reduce nutrient impairments near shore waters in the Florida Keys.
In December of 2011, the Florida Keys were identified in the FKRAD as not meeting nutrient criteria to adequately support a balanced aquatic system. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, together with local governments and federal agencies, set forth actions to reduce nutrient loadings to nearshore waters in the Florida Keys to meet water quality standards established.
In Fiscal Year 2019, the University of Miami Coastal Ecology Laboratory received a state grant for a two-year study to monitor 65 stations and document changes in water quality after a county-wide conversion from residential septic to central wastewater treatment. The University of Miami contracted the Broward County Environmental Monitoring Laboratory to provide the analytical support as it is one of the few laboratories certified under the State of Florida to perform the required analyses for the study. The analytical data obtained from samples collected at specific sites are aimed to better understand the environmental factors that influence coral reef health and are ultimately expected to inform and direct regionally coordinated coral reef conservation strategies.
The value of this effort is significant as the study will document changes in water quality after recent upgrades to improve storm water management from residential septic to central wastewater treatment. This monitoring provides significant contributions toward this direction and represents a productive partnership among state and local governments in support of reef conservation.
Source of Additional Information
Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Chief Resilience Officer and Director, Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division, (954) 519-1464
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Broward County Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) is conducting the analysis of nutrients and Chlorophyll-a under a contract agreement using the EML’s Fee Schedule. The cost of chemicals, laboratory supplies and equipment will be provided via contract revenues of $22,656. No additional funds will be required from the County.