Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Environmental Protection Division: Environmental Planning & Comm. Resilience
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2020-549 in the amount of $22,304 within the Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) contract fund for the purpose of recognizing revenues for laboratory services provided under contract with the University of Miami in support of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Florida Keys Reasonable Assurance Document Plan (FKRAD) for the period from April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.
body
Why Action is Necessary
County Commission approval is necessary to appropriate unanticipated revenue.
What Action Accomplishes
Recognizes revenues from the University of Miami for nutrient analyses provided by the Broward County Environmental Monitoring Laboratory in support of the Florida Keys Reasonable Assurance Plan (FKRAD).
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None.
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.
Approval of 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.
Approval of this item recognizes revenues received by the County’s Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) 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 in near shore waters of the Florida Keys.
In December 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 (FDEP), together with local governments and federal agencies, set forth actions to reduce nutrient loads to meet established water quality standards.
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 following county-wide conversion from residential septic to central wastewater treatment. The University of Miami contracted with the Broward County EML to provide analytical support as one of the few laboratories certified under the State of Florida to perform the required analyses. The analytical data obtained from samples will aid in better understanding the environmental factors that influence coral reef health and are expected to help inform and direct regionally coordinated coral reef conservation strategies. The EML’s delivery of service in support of this study 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 Deputy Director, Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, (954) 519-1464
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Broward County Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) contract fund will receive $22,304 in revenue for services provided. No funds will be required from the County.