Okaloosa County BOCC — June 23, 2016 — I. h. Choctaw Estuary Resolution

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: June 23, 2016 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director Erika Zambello, Marine Economic & Tourism Development Resource Coord. SUBJECT: Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program Resolution STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval of a Resolution supporting the establishment of the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. BACKGROUND: Northwest Florida Estuaries and their associated natural resources provide boating, fishing, hunting, tourism, and other outdoor recreational and economic opportunities for citizens and visitors. Mismanagement of Northwest Florida e stuaries 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 citizens and visitors. The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution # 15-143 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, including Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, and St. Marks. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 16-60 expressing support for the establishment of the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program. The Environmental Protection Agency was awarded funding from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to stand up one (1) estuary program and will be issuing a request for proposals in the near future. Resolutions of support have been obtained from multiple local authorities and will be included as backup documentation with the Choctawhatchee Bay submission to the EPA’s request for proposals. OPTIONS: Approve or Deny RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Approve Resolution 16-__ supporting the establishment of the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program, and authorize the Chairman to sign.  RESOLUTION NO. 16-__ A RESOLUTION OF THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA EXPRESSING SUPPORT F O R THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT, RESTORATION, AND PROTECTION OF THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY ESTUARY; 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, elected officials, local, state and federal government staff, the Nature Conservancy, citizens, academia, and other stakeholders from the Northwest Florida Estuaries have been actively participating in meetings to identify and coordinate estuary management issues and efforts; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 15-143 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, including Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, and St. Marks; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 16-60 expressing support for the e