Agenda 12/08/2020 Item #10A (BCC position: possible expansion of Big Cypress Basin within SFWMD)12/08/2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to formalize a Board of County Commissioners position regarding the
potential expansion of the Big Cypress Basin boundary within the South Florida Water
Management District.
______________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVE: To express a consensus position that considers the protection of stormwater
infrastructure, water quality, and the environment for Collier County residents and neighbors.
CONSIDERATION: The South Florida Water Management District (District) covers 18,000
square miles spanning from Orlando to Key West. It is comprised of two operational units, the
Big Cypress Basin and Okeechobee Basin. The Big Cypress Basin includes all of Collier County
and a portion of Monroe County. The Okeechobee Basin includes all of Broward, Glades,
Hendry, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Monroe,
Orange, Osceola, Okeechobee and Polk Counties.
The Big Cypress Basin was established in 1977 and charged with providing for the broad
objectives of conservation, preservation, and enhancement of water resources. Between 1979
and 1993, agreements with Collier County transferred operation and maintenance of the primary
network of county-built water control facilities to the Basin.
The Big Cypress Basin Board sets the Basin regional policy, budget, and millage rate. Basin
staff work in administration, planning, environmental permitting, right-of-way permitting, and
operations and maintenance. They also support project management tasks related to the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
Under 373.0693 of the Florida Statutes, the District may change the boundaries of basins or
create new basins at any time by resolution. Changes to the Big Cypress Basin boundaries can
also be pursued legislatively but would then require similar action by the Legislature and
Governor to make any future adjustments.
Lee County, the City of Bonita Springs, and the Village of Estero have petitioned the District to
evaluate an amendment of basin boundaries to consider moving areas of Lee County to the Big
Cypress Basin. The impacts on the Big Cypress Basin, both in governance and operations, of an
expansion of its boundaries have not been quantified.
In their 2020 General Appropriations Act, the Legislature included language directing the
District to “conduct a study to recommend the most appropriate geographic boundaries of the
Big Cypress Basin” and to submit the report to the Governor and the leadership of the
Legislature by February 1, 2021. On November 18, 2020, the Big Cypress Basin Board was
presented a draft report of the scientific study determining the hydrologic boundaries of the Big
Cypress Swamp sub-basin.
The potential expansion of the Big Cypress Basin represents some challenges and concerns that
need to be evaluated before proceeding. It is my position that we should send a unified message
to the District and legislative delegation that we are not in favor of any legislation or District
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resolution moving forward without appropriate vetting of proposed changes by the Big Cypress
Basin Board with input of our citizens, neighboring communities, and our environmental
protection partners.
FISCAL IMPACT: This executive summary has no immediate fiscal impact.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This executive summary has no immediate growth
management impact.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners formalize a position
regarding potential expansion of the Big Cypress Basin boundary within the South Florida Water
Management District.
Prepared by:
Andy Solis, Commissioner, District 2
Attachments:
1. Big Cypress Basin Map with New Delineation of the Big Cypress Swamp Boundary
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Proposed_Big_Cypress_Swamp_Revisions (PDF)
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12/08/2020
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.A
Doc ID: 14342
Item Summary: Recommendation to formalize a Board of County Commissioners position
regarding the potential expansion of the Big Cypress Basin boundary within the South Florida Water
Management District. (Commissioner Solis)
Meeting Date: 12/08/2020
Prepared by:
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: MaryJo Brock
12/01/2020 1:48 PM
Submitted by:
Title: County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: Leo E. Ochs
12/01/2020 1:48 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Office of Management and Budget MaryJo Brock Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 12/01/2020 1:48 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 12/01/2020 2:50 PM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 12/02/2020 1:22 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 12/08/2020 9:00 AM
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14Presenters: Akin Owosina and Jeff Iudicello
DRAFT10.A.1
Packet Pg. 479 Attachment: Proposed_Big_Cypress_Swamp_Revisions (14342 : BCB boundary)