2009-02 Support of SFWM
RESOLUTION NO. 09-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA, IN
SUPPORT OF THE HYDRAULIC AND APPLICABLE PHYSICAL RE-
CONNECTION OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA FLOOD
CONTROL PROJECT, AS REPRESENTED PRESENTLY BY THE SOUTH
FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND THE ST. JOHNS RIVER
WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, THROUGH A SERIES OF
INTERCONNECTED RESERVOIRS, STORM WATER TREATMENT AREAS
AND CANALS WITHIN THE FORT DRUM MARSH AREA.
WHEREAS, the United States of America in partnership with the State of Florida passed
Congressional legislation through the Flood Control Acts of 1948 and 1954, titled the
Central and South Florida Flood Control Project and provided for the construction
and operations and maintenance of the developed project through a partnership of
the United States Army Corps of Engineers and an Agency of the State of Florida,
the Central and South Florida Control District; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970's, through the enactment of Chapter 373, the State of Florida,
legislatively created the Five (5) Water Management Districts of the State of Florida,
of which two of those legislatively created water management districts, are the South
Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water Management
Districts; and
WHEREAS, the South Florida Water Management District and the St. Johns River Water
Management Districts were previously represented by one jurisdictional Agency of
the State of Florida, the Central and South Florida Flood Control District
headquartered in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, through this singular jurisdictional agency of the State of Florida, the Central
and South Florida Flood Control District, as established by the United States of
Congress, constructed, operated and maintained a regional surface water system
consisting of a series of canals, levees, pump stations and other facilities throughout
the State of Florida and specific to this resolution in Indian River and St. Lucie
Counties, and
WHEREAS, through this legislative creation of the Water Management Districts of the State
of Florida, the surface water system of the Fort Drum Marsh are lying in western
Indian River and St. Lucie and eastern Okeechobee Counties, which were previously
connected, were now physically disconnected, and previous Flood Control Act
Project designs and associated Stormwater routing were now hindered from
functioning as an effective regional system, thus limiting the options available for
more effective surface water management for the multi-faceted benefits of
environmental water quality and discharges, water supply, ground water re-charge
and flood control; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the potential benefits associated with this re-connection
project, both the St. Johns River Water Management District and the South Florida
Water Management District, contracted jointly for an Engineering Study to determine
the feasibility and associated benefits with this re-connection project; and
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WHEREAS, the Engineer's Report on behalf of both the Water Management Districts
concluded the proposed re-connection project and associated structural components
would (1) be beneficial through the reduction of fresh water-stormwater discharges
into the Indian River Lagoon, a protected National estuary; (ii) Improve surface water
storage and flood water routing; (iii) Create positive ground water re-charge; (iv) and
provide a related decrease in ground water withdrawals; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of the potential dynamics associated with climate changes in
Florida as witnessed most recently by flooding associated with Tropical Storm Fay,
and the multi-faceted benefits associated with improved surface water management
through the construction and operations of a project as proposed.
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. That the City of Okeechobee supports the efforts of the St. Johns and
South Florida Water Management Districts and other interested parties
to move this regional water management project forward to a
successful conclusion.
Section 2. That the City of Okeechobee supports the physical re-connection of
the St. Johns and South Florida Water Management Districts through
the construction of a series of interconnected reservoirs, stormwater
treatment areas, and canal systems within the Fort Drum Marsh Area
to provide the multi-faceted benefits of improved water quality, water
quality/flood control, reduced discharges into the Indian River Lagoon
and improved regional ground water recharges.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in regular session this 6`h day of January, 2009.
James E. Kirk, Mayor
A`T'TEST:
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John R. Cook, City Attorney
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