2011-03 Water ConservationRESOLUTION NO. 11 -03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
FLORIDA RECOGNIZING AND ADVOCATING A COURSE
OF ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNITED STATES
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE EVERGLADES NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE AND THE EVERGLADES HEADWATER
NATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREA.
WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (SERVICE) is proposing the
establishment of the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and
the establishment of an associated Everglades Headwaters Conservation Area
(CONSERVATION AREA) as the first phase of a multi -phase approach to address
landscape -scale land protection efforts in south central Florida; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee is located in the Headwaters of the NWR area as
depicted on Exhibit No. 1, attached; and
WHEREAS, it is proposed by the SERVICE that the NWR and CONSERVATION AREA
would help:
Protect, restore and conserve important habitat for 88 Federal and State listed
species and state Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including
Florida panther, Florida black bear, Audubon's crested caracara, Florida scrub jay,
Florida grasshopper sparrow, red cockaded woodpecker, whooping crane,
Everglades snail kite, wood stork, and Eastern indigo snake; and
Protect, restore, and conserve exemplary habitats such as wet and dry prairie,
Florida sandhill and scrub, scrubby and mesic flatwoods, and multiple wetland types
including cutthroat seepage slope wetlands; and
Protect, restore, and conserve the headwaters, groundwater recharge and
watershed of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee River and Lake
Okeechobee region, which will improve water quantity and quality in the Everglades
watershed, complementing the work of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration
Plan (CERP), and protecting the water supply for millions of people; and
Protect and enhance habitat corridors and implement other wildlife adaptation
strategies to buffer the impacts of climate change; and
Protect a working rural landscape, where local communities, ranching and
agricultural interests, the SERVICE, and its partners would conserve natural
resources and provide opportunities for compatible outdoor recreation and
educational opportunities, while preserving the economic and cultural benefits
provided by ranching; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project calls for a two tier approach toward protecting the lands
by the development of a:
1. Refuge: A core area within the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and Kissimmee
River Basin where the SERVICE would acquire, protect, and manage up to
50,000 acres through fee title purchases, leases, conservation easements,
conservation and mitigation banks, lands set aside through Habitat
Conservation Plans, and /or cooperative agreements from willing sellers.
Many of these lands have been previously identified as priority acquisitions
on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida
Forever conservation list.
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2. Conservation Area: An area adjacent and complementary to the Refuge
where the Service would have authority to protect 100,000 acres through
conservation easements, conservation and mitigation banks, lands set aside
through Habitat Conservation Plans, and /or cooperative agreements.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved before the City Council for the City of Okeechobee,
Florida; presented at a duly advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote
of the City Council; and properly executed by the Mayor or designee, as Chief
Presiding Officer for the City:
THAT the City Council of the City of Okeechobee, Florida; petition the SERVICE
relating to the NWR and CONSERVATION AREA as follows:
1. Provide for an adequate method of reimbursement of local ad valorem taxes
for property that is being removed from the tax rolls that is fully funded in
advance.
2. Consider and abate any and all disruptive economic fallout from any loss of
agricultural production as a result of the creation of a refuge or a
conservation area.
3. Specifically, provide for leasing of conservation lands for cattle
grazing /production.
4. Retain public access for hunting, fishing and recreation throughout the NWR
region and a reasonable means of vehicle ingress.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED by the City of Okeechobee, this 5th day of
April, 2011.
ATTEST:
h
Lane amotea, C City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John R. Cook, City Attorney
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James E. Kirk, Mayor
Attachment: Exhibit No. One
Figure 2: Everglades Headwaters NWR Conservation Area
Existing Conservation
Q Study Area
0 Conservation Area
1 Least Important
2
3
Integrated
4 Wildlife
5 Habitat
s Ranking
System
10 Most important
Disney
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'ancttuaries
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Wolf Creek
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CA
Fort Drum
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Lake Okeechobee
Florida Forever Projects
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