Resolution 2015-017 Resolution No. 2015- 1 7
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO
WORK IN CONCERT TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES ADEQUATE
AND RELIABLE LONG-TERM FUNDING FOR LOCAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
NEEDS TO ADDRESS WATER STORAGE AND TREATMENT WITHIN THE
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COASTAL COMMUNITY WATERSHEDS.
WHEREAS, the coastal communities of Southwest Florida are consistently impacted by
freshwater discharges from associated watersheds that impact the ecology of our waters, affect the
quality of life of our citizens and area businesses and has a lasting effect on our local economy; and,
WHEREAS, discharges occur as a result of man-altered landscape of flood control projects,
channelization, and other land use changes occurring throughout the region over the past century, all of
which has altered the current condition so that it is much different from the original undeveloped state;
and,
WHEREAS, today's system delivers water to the coast very quickly with little to no water
treatment, which causes our estuaries to receive too much water during the wet season and not enough
water during the dry season; and,
WHEREAS, untreated surface water runoff is laden with excessive nutrients that can stimulate
harmful algal blooms; and,
WHEREAS,tourism and real estate tax revenue in Southwest Florida generates billions of dollars
annually and recent polls by Visitor and Convention Bureaus indicate that over 90% of all visitors to
Southwest Florida identified the area beaches as our most attractive asset; and,
WHEREAS, local water quality can have a tremendous influence on consumer confidence and
can greatly impact tourism and impacts our local economy because too much or too little freshwater
delivered to the coast can affect critical estuarine resources such as seagrasses, oysters and fishes and the
ecology of our waters, which greatly influences the quality of life of Southwest Florida residents and
visitors; and,
WHEREAS, a comprehensive strategy is needed to: (1) address water storage and treatment
within the watersheds of Southwest Florida, and (2) significant land reservations and new infrastructure
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necessary to convey excess water south into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay where it is needed;
and,
WHEREAS, Southwest Florida Coastal Counties and local governments have developed lists of
short-term, low-cost strategies, as well as lists of longer-term State and federal priorities to address water
storage and treatment throughout the watersheds of Southwest Florida with the goal to improve the
quantity, quality, timing and distribution of water to the sensitive receiving waters of coastal Counties of
Southwest Florida and restore historic flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay.
NOW,THEREFORE,be it resolved by the County Board of County Commissioners that Federal,
State and local governments,working in concert,enact new legislation that provides adequate and reliable
long-term funding for local water infrastructure needs to help close the funding gaps for such needs and
that such funding shall be used solely to address water infrastructure needs without reliance from
traditional revenue sources,such as a federal tax on water or sewer charges.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
DULY PASSED AND ENACTED by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners, this
27th day of January 2015.
Attest:
DWIGHT E. BROCK,Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Deputy Clerk Tim Nance, Chairman
Attest as to Chairman's
Approved as to form and
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Scott R. Teach
Deputy County Attorney
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