Resolution 1997-350 RESOLUTION NO.97- 350
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
QUARANTINE FACILITY TO HELP FACILITATE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS
FOR USE AGAINST INVASIVE EXOTIC VEGETATION.
WHEREAS,invasive exotic vegetation such as Melaleuca,Brazilian Pepper and Australian pine pose a
serious threat to the unique ecosystems of Collier County and the rest of South Florida;and
WHEREAS,the Environmental Policy Technical Advisory Board(EPTAB)has recognized the presence
and proliferation of invasive exotic vegetation in the County and has prepared a report entitled
"INVASIVE EXOTIC VEGETATION IN COLLIER COUNTY";and
WHEREAS,the Collier County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to accept EPTAB's
report;and
WHEREAS, the Melaleuca Management Plan for Florida jointly written by the Exotic Pest Plant
Council and Malaleuca Task Force in April 1994, concluded that"the ultimate control of malaleuca in
Florida will probably depend on the success of biological control agents introduced from Australia"; and
WHEREAS,the cornerstone of any successful biological control program is its ability to screen potential
control agents to assure that they will only attack the target species;and
WHEREAS,at present the only quarantine available in Florida is a small facility in Gainesville, shared
by the USDA,the University of Florida,and the FDEP;and
WHEREAS,the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 authorized the Secretary of the Army, in
consultation with the Governor of Florida,to construct a research and quarantine facility in Broward
County to be used in the search of biological control agents to control invasive exotic plant species that
threaten native ecosystems in the State of Florida;and
WHEREAS,the President's agricultural budget for FY 1998 includes language appropriating the$4
million(authorized in FY 1997)necessary to construct a new 20,000 sq. ft. quarantine facility in Ft.
Lauderdale and an additional$1 million annual operating budget;and
WHEREAS,the EPTAB report has recommended support for the construction of anew quarantine
facility in Ft.Lauderdale.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA that
Collier County supports the construction of the proposed quarantine facility and its inclusion in the
proposed federal budget.
This Resolution adopted after motion,second and majority vote this 7 day of
1997.
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p ATTEST: •
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• DWIGJIT . BOCK,CLERK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
`: R _ COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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' .Approved as to form and
legal sufficiency:
1-04.11
Thomas C.Palmer
Assistant County Attorney