Resolution 2001-051
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RESOLUTION NO. 2001 - ..5L
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO
REMOVE COMBUSTffiLE MATERIALS FROM AREAS ADJACENT TO
RURAL RESIDENCES AND FINDING A STATE OF CONCERN DURING
DECLARED WATER RESTRICTIONS SO AS TO ALLOW LIMITED
ADMINISTRATIVE DISCRETION IN POLICING CURBSIDE
ACCUMULATIONS OF SUCH COMBUSTffiLE MATERIALS.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, one of government's primary duties in the exercise of its governmental
powers is to protect the health and safety of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 125.01(t), Florida Statutes, the Board of County
Commissioners is empowered to adopt resolutions necessary for the exercise of its powers; and
WHEREAS, the population in ColIier County's rural areas, in particular the large tracts of
Golden Gates Estates, has increased dramatically; and
WHEREAS, the drought conditions of this year's dry season are extreme such that ground
water levels are near record lows; and
WHEREAS, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD or the District),
recognizing these extreme conditions, has recently declared Phase II watering restrictions in
ColIier County, and elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, these extreme drought conditions have lead to an increase in the amount of
vegetation and brush that are considered combustible materials, i.e., a fuel source, for wildfires;
and
WHEREAS, recent winter frosts have added even more to the amount of combustible
materials susceptible to wildfires; and
WHEREAS, the potential for injury to persons and for damage to property from wildfires
in Collier County is now dangerously high.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOL YED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA that:
I. The foregoing Recitals are incorporated by reference and adopted as part of this
Resolution.
2. The Board finds that a state of concern exists with regard to the dangers posed by
wildfires during the current SFWMD Phase II watering restrictions.
3. County staff is requested to develop and disseminate a Public Awareness Campaign on
these issues in order to inform the citizens in rural areas of the County of the additional
safety margin afforded by removing as much combustible materials as possible from an
area of approximately thirty feet (30') around their residences so as to create a firebreak.
4. County staff is encouraged to exercise limited administrative discretion in policing the
County's regulations requiring prompt removal of accumulated litter while this state of
concern exists, as follows: to allow bundled brush and other combustibles to exist in the
area adjacent to rights-of-ways for only so long as is required for pick-up by the
designated service provider
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5. The foregoing Public Awareness Campaign and exercise of limited administrative
discretion are in the best overall interest of the citizens ofColIier County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLYED that upon the District's termination of its Phase II
watering restrictions in Collier County, the procedures expressed herein will be also terminate.
This Resolution is adopted this ~day of ...:Z..~ 2001, after motion, second
and majority vote favoring same.
DA~_:.?~%"}JC/
ATTEST:"
DWGlg1;.BROCK, Clerk
"';" : ...,"~; '. .
;.4Jp~1tr '.y~
Atte~':u..to' Chairman's
s1gRltur. onl".
Approved as to fonn and
~~
Patrick G. White
Assistant Collier County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
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