2018-06 Support for the SFWMD Bluefield and Scott Water ProjectsRESOLUTION NO. 2018-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE,
FLORIDA; EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT THE BLUEFIELD AND SCOTT
DISPERSED WATER PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ST. LUCIE
ESTUARY AND INDIAN RIVER LAGOON; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon are suffering from excessive
freshwater releases from both Lake Okeechobee, the regional flood control canals C-23,
C-24 and C-25 and the urban coastal basins; and
WHEREAS, over 50 percent of these releases come from the local basin via the regional flood
control canals; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has declared a State of Emergency in July of this year for the
counties of St. Lucie and Martin due to the toxic algal bloom; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the General Appropriations Act, Chapter 2016-66, Laws of Florida was
amended pursuant to House Bill No. 5001 to appropriate monies to fund projects in the
Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP). Specifically, Line
1590A stated that "...No less than $47,838,034.00 of the funds provided in Specific
Appropriation 1590A shall be used to implement the Northern Everglades and Estuaries
Protection Program, as set forth in Section 373.4595, Florida Statutes, through public-
private partnerships as provided in Section 373.4591, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, Florida Department of Environmental Protection identified six dispersed water
projects to be the recipient of this appropriation, and the Bluefield and Scott Dispersed
Water Projects are among those six projects and are the only projects that store water
from the local basins.
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:
SECTION 1: The Bluefield and Scott Water Projects combined could, at a minimum, keep over
70,000 acre feet of water (approximately 23 billion gallons) originating in these
flood control canals from entering the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon
annually. The Bluefield and Scott Water Projects can both be in operation by the
start of the next rainy season.
SECTION 2: Therefore, for the health of the St. Lucie Estuary, Indian River lagoon and citizens
we support the Bluefield and Scott Dispersed Water Projects and strongly
encourage the South Florida Water Management District to implement these
Projects as expeditiously as possible.
SECTION 3: Conflict. All Resolution or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed.
SECTION 4: Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
Resolution, or application hereof, is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion or provision and such holding
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications here.
RESOLUTION No. 2018-06 PAGE 1 OF 2
SECTION 5: Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in Regular Session this 16th day of October, 2018.
Dowling R. or:, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
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Lane (;amiotea, C C, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John R. Cook, City Attorney
RESOLUTION No. 2018-06 PAGE 2 OF 2