Resolution 2002-050
IDE
RESOLUTION NO. 2002- 50
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLUER COUNTY, FLORIDA
OPPOSING THE CONTINUED DIVERSION AND/OR
REDUCTION OF FUNDS FROM THE FLORIDA FOREVER
PROGRAM AND CALUNG FOR THE TIMELY
REPLACEMENT OF FUNDS TAKEN IN THE 2001
REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WHEREASr the following information has been presented to the Board of County
Commissioners ("Board'r) by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:
1. The Florida Forever Program was established to acquire and preserve
environmentally important and sensitive lands in the State of Florida with the protection
of over 1.25 million acres; and
2. Preserving Florida's valuable ecosystems for present and future generations is
imperative with the rapid development of natural areas; and
3. Publicly owned land not only provides refuge for many endangered and
threatened speciesr it ensures a clean and abundant water supplYr unpolluted air and
recreational enjoyment for the citizens of Florida; and
4. The Florida Forever Program is especially meaningful for Collier County due to
the existence of four "A" list Florida Forever land acquisition projects within its
boundaries; and
5. The reductionr diversionr or reallocation of funds from the Florida Forever
Program could result in cutbacks to the four land acquisition projects in Collier County;
and
6. During the regular 2001 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature diverted 75
million dollars from the Florida Forever Program to Everglades Restoration, a program
independent of Florida Forever; and
7. Given the current economic crisis, it is likely that once morer funds may be
siphoned out of the Florida Forever Program in the future for other purposes; and
8. The continued diversion of funds from the Florida Forever Program
compromises the validity and original purpose of the Florida Forever Program; and
1 DE :I,
9. It is vital to the future of the State of Florida to continue to acquire and
protect natural resources and equally important for legislators to fulfill voter
intention in the overwhelming passage of the Florida Forever Act of 1998.
WHEREASr the Board has been informed that State Senator Burt Saunders is
sponsoring Senate Bill 588 during the current Legislative Sessionr which bill seeks to
preserve the Florida Forever Program funding; and
preserve Florida Forever Program funding.
WHEREAS, House Bill 607, co-sponsored by Representative Green, also seeks to
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board strongly
supports proposed Senate Bill 588 and House Bill 607 and/or any other legislation that
opposes the diversion, reduction, or reallocation of funds from the Florida Forever
Program. The Board also strongly supports Senate Bill 588 and House Bill 607 and/or
any other legislation that requires that the 75 million dollars that were diverted from the
Florida Forever Program in the 2001 Regular Legislative Session be replaced in a timely
manner.
This Resolution adopted after motion, second and majority vote.
DATED: 1- ;l. ~ - 0 J...
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E: BROCK, Clerk
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legal sufficiency:
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Ramiro Manalich
Chief Assistant County Attorney
RM/Resolutions
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: #~
JAMES N. COLETTA, Chairman
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