Okaloosa County BOCC — August 18, 2015 — ESTUARY Resolution

RESOLUTION NUMBER 15 – A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA 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; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Northwest Florida Estuaries and their associated natural resources provide boating, fishing, hunting, tourism, and other outdoor recreational and economic opportunities for citizens and visitors of Florida; and WHEREAS, mismanagement of 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; and WHEREAS, the United States 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the Board of County Commissioners finds the above recitals to be true and correct and incorporate them herein by reference. Section 2. That the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners hereby expresses its 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. Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. Section 4. That 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. ADOPTED this 18th day of August, 2015. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA (SEAL) By: