Okaloosa County BOCC — December 15, 2015 — Great Florida Birding Trail Nomination Resolution 11-24-15

RESOLUTION 15- ___ A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, EXTENDING ITS SUPPORT TO THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION FOR NOMINATION AND FUTURE DESIGNATION OF THE VETERANS PARK ON OKALOOSA ISLAND AS A GREAT FLORIDA BIRDING & WILDLIFE TRAIL; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, The Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail, a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, designates birding and wildlife sites throughout the State of Florida that ease the ability to locate these environmental wonders for bird and wildlife watchers; and WHEREAS, according to statistics from 2007, Florida is second in the nation, behind California, in the amount of retail sales generated by non-consumptive bird use, an estimated $477 million dollars in retail sales every year and supporting 19,000 jobs; and WHEREAS, The Great Florida Birding Trail combines more prominent birding and wildlife sites with small local sites that spread out casual bird and wildlife watchers and their ecotourism dollars into the surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, the Great Florid Birding & Wildlife Trail sites in Okaloosa County are the Shoal River Wayside Park (Bill Duggan Jr. Park), Blackwater River State Forest: Karick Lake, Turkey Creek Park, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, and Henderson Beach State Park, which combined with the Veterans Park, will enhance the overall birding and wildlife experience; and WHEREAS, The Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island is being nominated by citizens for designation as a Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; and 1  WHEREAS, the County supports this nomination and designation if accepted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to enhance natural resources, thereby promoting a healthy economy, provide recreation for residents and tourists and promote educational opportunities for students and others. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE OKALOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County extend its support to the nomination and future designation of the Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island as a Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail site. 2. This Resolution shall be effective upon adoption. DULY PASSED AND APPROVED, by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, on this 15th Day of December, 2015. ________________________________ Nathan D. Boyles, Chairman ATTEST: _____________________________ J.D. Peacock, Clerk 2