Resolution 2018-132 RESOLUTION NO.2018-1 32
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER
COUNTY, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE FUNCTIONAL DIVERSION OF
STORMWATER FROM BONITA SPRINGS/LEE COUNTY UNTIL A
COOPERATIVE AND COORDINATED REVIEW OF ALL PROPOSALS
RELATED TO THE DIVERSION IS COMPLETED WITH COLLIER COUNTY,
THE CITY OF BONITA SPRINGS AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT; AND REQUESTING THAT ALL PROPOSALS
UNDERGO A FULL VETTING, INCLUDING MODELING, ENGINEERING,
SUPPORTING SCIENCE, WATER QUALITY, ALTERNATIVES TO THE
DIVERSION, IMPACTS ON THE PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY AND
ESTUARY SYSTEMS AND SURRONDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND
PROPERTIES AND A FULL PUBLIC OUTREACH EFFORT IS CONDUCTED.
WHEREAS, the South Florida Water Management District(SFWMD)/Big Cypress Basin
(BCB) maintains and manages portions of the Collier County Stormwater System by Agreement,
including some water control structures, and Collier County maintains and manages the balance
of the system; and
WHEREAS, challenges to the primary system directly impact the operational
effectiveness of the entire system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bonita Springs is working with the South Florida Water
Management District (SFWMD) on options to divert stormwater south from Lee County into
Collier County to discharge into the Cocohatchee River Canal; and
WHERAS, the 951 Canal North Basin, the Airport Road North Canal Basin, the Pine
Ridge Canal Basin, the Palm River Canal Basin, the Cocohatchee River Canal Basin, the East
Branch Cocohatchee River Basin and the West Branch Cocohatchee River Basin either drain into
or receive flow from the Cocohatchee River Canal; and
WHEREAS, many of these Basins experienced significant water management issues,
including structural flooding, during the 2017 rainy season, which was exacerbated by Hurricane
Irma; and
WHEREAS, there is insufficient capacity to receive the volume of flows being proposed
without adverse impacts to Collier County property owners; and
WHEREAS,the Cocohatchee River Canal discharges to a sensitive estuary,the inland and
receiving waterbodies are currently impaired, and it anticipated there will be additional
impairments for copper, Enterococcus, Fecal Coliform, and Chlorophyll-a in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Collier County will have no control over the quality of water being received
into the County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4); and
WHEREAS, Collier County is responsible for restoring water quality in the MS4 to State
standards; and
WHEREAS, Collier County has an obligation to protect the health safety and welfare of
its citizens, visitors and businesses and to preserve the integrity of the Stormwater Management
System; and
WHEREAS,Collier County has an obligation to reserve available stormwater capacity for
development already approved within Collier County; and
WHEREAS, Collier County does not support the diversion of any water from the City of
Bonita Springs/Lee County until a detailed analysis is completed, including, but not limited to,
modeling, engineering, supporting science, as well as alternatives, including improving existing
East-West flow paths and study of the impacts on the primary, secondary and tertiary systems and
the surrounding neighborhoods and properties; and
WHEREAS, any proposals involving the diversion of water from Lee County to Collier
County requires public outreach to inform the citizens of the possible effects of such a project; and
WHEREAS, Collier County will not consider or support any proposals for the diversion
of Stormwater until the above conditions are met; and
WHEREAS, Collier County is willing to work cooperatively with the City of Bonita
Springs and the SFWMD to determine options that are also in the best interest of the residents,
businesses and visitors of Collier County.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA,that:
1. The Board of County Commissioners opposes the diversion of any stormwater South
from the City of Bonita Springs/Lee County into Collier County until a full analysis is completed and
reviewed and approved by Collier County.
Page 2 of 3
2. The Board of County Commissioners requests that the City of Bonita Springs and the
South Florida Water Management District work cooperatively with Collier County to share
information, inform the public and develop options that protect the health safety and welfare of
Collier County's citizens, visitors and businesses and to preserve the integrity of Collier County's
Stormwater Management System.
3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
This Resolution is adopted after motion; second and majority vote favoring same, this
1 day of July 2018.
ATTEST BOARD OF C•UNTY COMMISSIONERS
Crystal Kinzer Interim Clerk OF COLL ' ' C 0 TY, F :.' ) •
By: �`i� l, ' By: . 4L
Attest as to Charman
D�e.uty + r •T DY SOL , Chairman
signature only.
Aii e ,, `1 s form and legality:
f
4, ..4.1
Jeffrey II,' . .4 atz ow, County Attorney
a
i
1
Page 3 of 3