Resolution 2015-032 RESOLUTION NO. 2015 - 3 2
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP THE
GOLDEN GATE WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (GGWIP)
WHEREAS, The coastal communities of Southwest Florida are consistently impacted by
freshwater discharges from associated watersheds impacting the ecology of our waters, the
quality of life of our citizens, area businesses, and having a lasting effect on our local economy.
Discharges occur as a result of our man-altered landscape of flood control projects,
channelization, and other land use changes that have occurred throughout the region over the
past century. The current condition is much different from the original undeveloped state. The
system we have today delivers water to the coast very quickly with little to no water treatment.
This has resulted in our estuaries receiving too much water during the wet season and not enough
water during the dry season. Untreated surface water runoff is laden with excessive nutrients
that can stimulate harmful algal blooms.
WHEREAS, Tourism and real estate tax revenue in Collier County generates billions of
dollars annually. Local water quality can have a tremendous influence on consumer confidence
and can greatly impact tourism and our local economy. In addition to impacts on our local
economy, too much or too little freshwater delivered to the coast can effect critical estuarine
resources such as seagrasses, oysters and fishes. The combined impacts on the local economy
and the ecology of our waters can greatly influence the quality of life of Collier County
residents.
WHEREAS, Collier County has conducted several studies, including the Belle Meade
Area Stormwater Management Master Plan (2006) and the Horsepen Strand Conservation Area
Feasibility Study Phase 1 (2008), that served as the groundwork for the Collier County
Watershed Management Plan (WMP), adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 2011.
The WMP is the County's guiding document that describes strategies to restore historical water
quantity and estuarine discharges, improve water quality within the watersheds and estuaries, and
address flood control and water supply issues (WMP, 2011).
WHEREAS,The WMP prioritizes capital improvements projects (structural projects) for
each of the County's main watersheds based on a methodology that evaluated potential projects
on their viability to be permitted and constructed; the benefits yielded though performance
measures; estimated cost; and calculated benefit versus cost (B/C) ratio. Additionally, the WMP
proposes complementing the recommended structural projects with non-structural initiatives in
order to achieve the plan's restoration goals.
WHEREAS, The purpose of this initiative, Golden Gate Watershed Improvement
Program (GGW1P), is to develop and implement actions to manage water management system
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strategies with high potential for overarching impact to Collier County in accordance with the
WMP.
WHEREAS,This initiative, GGWIP, focuses on the watersheds that are generally within
the boundaries of the County's WMP's recommended list of capital improvement projects:
Golden Gate-Naples Bay; Rookery Bay; Cocohatchee-Corkscrew; and Faka Union. The estuaries
impacted by these watersheds are: Naples Bay; Rookery Bay; Wiggins Pass; and the Ten
Thousand Islands.
WHEREAS, This initiative, GGWIP, also proposes to devise recommendations based on
environmentally sustainable management system strategies aimed at protecting, preserving, and
restoring the resource in areas, within the watersheds mentioned above, that have experienced
the highest impact due to human activity, while encouraging efficient urban development in
areas with the highest existing and potential urban development in the County.
WHEREAS, To develop and implement this initiative, GGWIP, it is necessary that the
County works in concert with government agencies and/or non-governmental organizations that
will be directly impacted by the implementation of the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA,THAT:
The Board of County Commissioners hereby endorses the initiative to develop the
Golden Gate Watershed Improvement Program (GGWIP).
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote favoring
same, this ` - day of , 2015.
ATTEST; BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DWIGHT E. BROCK;.CI.,ER.K COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
De t',Clerk! Tim Nance, Chairman
Attest as to Chairman s,
signature only.
Approved as to form and legality:
LAID
I idi As ton-Cicko )3;
Managing Assistant County Attorney
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