HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2012-1918RESOLUTION NO. 2012- 1 Q l
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
CENTRAL EVERGLADES PLANNING PROJECT FOR THE
RESTORATION OF THE CENTRAL EVERGLADES;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THIS RESOLUTION;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Greater Everglades Ecosystem is a globally imperiled habitat and the
primary source of drinking water for Sunny Isles Beach; and
WHEREAS, Everglades National Park is critical to South Florida's tourism, with nearly
a million visitors each year, 30% of whom are from outside the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Everglades ecosystem has continued to decline in the face of restoration
delays and an expedited solution is needed to increase the quality, quantity, timing and
distribution of freshwater flows into the central Everglades, Everglades National Park, and
Florida and Biscayne Bays; and
WHEREAS, increased deliveries of water south of Lake Okeechobee will reduce
damaging discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) is to
significantly reduce planning times and deliver a finalized plan for a suite of restoration projects
in the central Everglades within 18 months; and
WHEREAS, full support and funding by the State of Florida and the U.S. Congress is
needed to implement this project that will protect regional water supply, create much needed jobs
and strengthen the local economy.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The recitals set forth in this Resolution are
incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. Supporting the Central Everglades Planning Project. The City Commission hereby
supports the completion of a Project Implementation Report (PIR) by the South Florida Water
Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the Central Everglades
Planning Project (CEPP) by May 2013 that addresses key obstacles for restoring freshwater flows
and implements meaningful ecological and economic benefits toward restoring America's
Everglades.
R2012- Support Central Everglades Planning Proi Page 1 of 2
Section 3. Authorization of City Manager. The City Manager is hereby authorized to do all
things necessary to effectuate the terms of this resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21" day of June 2012.
ATTEST:
Jane A. Hines, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Moved by:
Seconded . , m,,n� � �■ 11
Vote: CJ—O
Mayor Edelcup
✓(Yes)
_(No)
Vice Mayor Thaler
(Yes)
_(No)
Commissioner Aelion
✓(Yes)
_(No)
Commissioner Gatto
es)
_(No)
Commissioner Scholl
_(Yes)
_(No)
82012- Support Central Everglades Planning Proj Page 2 of
Tropical Audubon Society
April 20, 2012
The Voice of Conservation in South Florida
RE: Support Central Everglades Planning Process (CEPP)
Dear Mayor Edelcup:
I write to you during Earth Month to ask for your support to bring much needed water security to
the South Florida Region by pledging your municipality's support for Everglades Restoration.
We find ourselves at a critical juncture. Scientists say we have less than 15 years to make
critical changes to Florida's plumbing to ensure a cheap water supply and at the same time
enhance tourism and home values by restoring the wildlife to South Florida.
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is on the verge of installing the most critical
projects to restore water flow from Lake Okeechobee to Everglades National Park. Both the
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and the South Florida Water Management District
(SFWMD) are working to centralize planning of 4 projects at the heart of restoring water to the
'River of Grass'. They are seeking public input and support before requesting Congressional
approval of their Project Implementation Report for the Central Everglades Planning Process.
Please help accelerate the approval process to implement these important water flow projects by
showing the City of Sunny Isles Beach's commitment. Attached to this email is a draft
resolution for your consideration to sign in support of the important work to restore the
Everglades, to 'get the water right' on 'Quality, Quantity, Timing, and Distribution'. The citizens
of your jurisdiction and the State of Florida will have greater water security now and for future
generations. It is important to realize that Florida depends on the Everglades for 1/3 of its
population's water supply. Also attached to this package is the Mather Study from 2010 that
explains the many economic benefits we will garner in this region as a result of Everglades
Restoration.
Please express your support for the Central Everglades Planning Project by passing the
resolution attached here. Because this project is being expedited we hope you can secure
approval at your next Commission meeting. Once you have approval or you have scheduled this
item for approval, please let us know so we can track your progress and provide support to you.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me: Susan Shapiro via phone
305.793.4763 or email snshapir@lzmail.com. I can arrange a meeting for you with our executive
director, Laura Reynolds to discuss this issue further. We are available to attend your scheduled
Commission meeting to offer support and to respond to additional questions that may arise.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Susan N, S6apiro
Intern, Tropical Audubon Society
Tropical Audubon Society 15530 Sunset Drive Miami, Fl 33143 1 (305) 667 -7337 1 www.tropicalaudubon.org
Measuring the Economic Benefits of America's
Everglades Restoration
An Economic Evaluation of Ecosystem Services Affiliated with the World's Largest Ecosystem
Restoration Project
Prepared for The Everglades Foundation
18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 625
Palmetto Bay, Florida 33157
www.evergladesfoundation.org
305.251.0001
by
Mather Economics
43 Woodstock Street,
Roswell, Georgia 30075
www.mathereconomics.com
770.993.4111
Bobby McCormick, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Robert Clement, MA
Daniel Fischer, MBA
Matt Lindsay, Ph.D.
Reed Watson, JD MA
with assistance from
Danielle Alderman
Kristina Catani
Joanna Fister
Gabi Huber, Ph.D.
Exley McCormick
Arvid Tchivzhel
Emily Wood, MA
Summary of Results
Everglades restoration will have important and significant economic impacts on several basic services
provided by this massive and complex ecosystem. We have split these services into six distinct divisions. For
each of these categories, we conservatively estimated, using best available data and economic methods, the
increase in economic value of a restored Everglades ecosystem.
Summary of Ecosystem Services Valuation of Everglades Restoration
Service
NPV Best Estimate
1 Groundwater purification
$
13,150,000,000
2 Real Estate
$
16,108,000,000
3 Park Visitation
$
1,311,588,000
4 Open space
$
830,700,000
5 Fishing
442,664
Commercial
$
524,100,000
Recreational
$
2,037,000,000
6 Wildlife Habitat and Hunting
$
12,539,900,000
TOTAL Value of Services
$
46,501,288,000
Initial Investment
$
11,500,000,000
Benefit -Cost Ratio
4.04
All calculations are based on discount rate of 2.1 %.
Our analysis strongly suggests that restoration of the Everglades as described and planned in CERP will have
large economic benefits. Our best estimate is that restoration will generate an increase in
economic welfare of approximately $46.5 billion in net present value terms that could range
up to $123.9 billion. The return on investment, as measured by the benefit -cost ratio, assuming a cost of
restoration of $11.5 billion, is also high and significant, 4.04, which means for every one dollar invested in
Everglades restoration $4.04 dollars are generated. Everglades restoration will also have an incremental
impact on employment of about 442,000 additional workers over 50 years. In addition, the Corps of
Engineers estimates there will be 22,000 jobs created as a result of the actual restoration projects.
Throughout our analysis, we have taken a very conservative approach to estimation. Accordingly our best
estimates almost surely understate the return on investment of Everglades restoration.
Summary of Jobs Results
Sector
Incremental Jobs
Commercial Fishing
6,798
Recreational Fishing
36,868
Residential Construction & Real Estate Services
273,601
Tourism (Lodging, Eating & Drinking, Transportation, Retail, Entertainment)
48,552
Agriculture
(3,724)
Wildlife Habitat & Hunting
80,569
TOTAL
442,664
' � 91 1" w
City of Sunny Isles Beach
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160
(305) 947 -0606 City Hall
(305) 949 -3113 Fox
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Mayor Norman S. Edelcup
DATE: 6/21/2012
RE: A Resolution Supporting the Central Everglades Planning Project
RECOMMENDATION:
Attached for your consideration is a Resolution supporting the Central Everglades
Planning Project for the restoration of the Central Everglades.
REASONS:
The Greater Everglades Ecosystem is a globally imperiled habitat and the primary source
of drinking water for Sunny Isles Beach. The Everglades National Park is critical to
South Florida's tourism, with nearly a million visitors each year. The Everglades
Ecosystem has continued to decline in the face of restoration delays and an expedited
solution is needed to increase the quality, quantity, timing and distribution of freshwater
flows into the central Everglades, Everglades National Park, and Florida and Biscayne
Bays. Increased deliveries of water south of Lake Okeechobee will reduce damaging
discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
The goal of the Central Everglades Planning Project is to significantly reduce planning
times and deliver a finalized plan for a suite of restoration projects in the central
Everglades within 18 months. Full support and funding by the State of Florida and the
U.S. Congress is needed to implement this project that will protect regional water supply,
create much needed jobs and strengthen the local economy.
The attached Resolution supports the completion of a Project Implementation Report by
the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
through the Central Everglades Planning Project by May 2013 that addresses key
obstacles for restoring freshwater flows and implements meaningful ecological and
economic benefits toward restoring America's Everglades.
ATTACHMENTS:
i Resolution
Backup
Agenda Item No. 10MDate 6/21/2012
153