Okaloosa County BOCC — June 26, 2014 — VI.a. Artificial Reefs

Board of County Commissioners RESOLUTION NO. 12-79 RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTION OF REPURPOSED CONCRm MATERIAL BY THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL REEFS FUNDED THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCE DISASTER ASSESSMENT (NRDA) PROGRAM AS APPLIED FOR AND SPONSORED BY OKALOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHEREAS, Okaloosa County's has submitted a NRDA application designating the use of material donated by the US Air Force Research Laboratory; and WHEREAS, Okaloosa County has secured Florida Department of Environmental Protection permits for the construction of Fish Haven 13 and 14 comprised of 9 reefs each constructed from the donated material, and WHEREAS, the US Army Corps of Engineers is currently evaluating the before mentioned permit applications for the construction of Fish Haven 13 and 14 comprised of 9 reefs each constructed from the donated material, and WHEREAS, Okaloosa County's local fishing, boating. diving, and charter fleet creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, attracts tourists from around the world, and generates tax revenues; and WHEREAS, Okaloosa County's fishing and diving industry has grown to represent one of the nation's largest fleet of boats; and WHEREAS, the economy of the coastal areas of Okaloosa County is dependent upon a healthy and productive marine environment; and WHEREAS, natural reefs occur infrequently in the northern Gulf of Mexico and provide few havens for marine life to flourish; and WHEREAS, the existence of artificial reefs is vital to tile healthy and stability of tile marine ecosystem in the northern Gulf of Mexico as well as Destin's fishing industry; and WHEREAS, nourishment, expansion, and establishment of artificial reefs are vital to the environment, the marine habitats and ecosystem, Okaloosa County's and its coastal communities economies, and the general public; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Okaloosa County Board or County Commissioners (Board) supports the use of repurposed concrete material offered by the AFRL in the construction of artificial reefs as specified in the NRDA application for Fish Haven 13 and 14. It is the Board's hope that the eventual approval of NRDA funds and the execution of the projects will demonstrate that repurposing the unused concrete material for artificial reef construction is a viable alternative for reuse. The Board believes that artificial reefs result in long-term benefits for the local community and the multitude of tourists who utilize the recreational opportunities made available through the County reef program. The Board also believes that the relationship between the USAF and the County will be strengthened by the successful execution of these projects and they will serve as a model for consideration by other USAF and DoD faculties across the Country.