Resolution 2009-144
RESOLUTION NO. 09- 1 44
A RESOLUTION OF THE COLLffiR COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIRECTING THE COUNTY
MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENT
OF A 1,600-ACRE RECREATIONAL AREA WI1lIIN THE
DADE-COLLIER TRAINING AND TRANSITION AIRPORT
TIlAT WOULD SUPPORT A VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITIES INCLUSIVE OF OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE
(OHV) USE AND TRAILS.
WHEREAS, Collier County and Miami-Dade County (the "Counties") each have
approximately 12,000 all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles registered within their
jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies within each County have determined that a growing
number of severe accidents and loss of life, charges of trespassing, and wildfires that cause
costly damage to private lands and federal, state and county natural and agricultural areas, are
caused by the lack of a safe and legal location for members of the public to ride; and
WHEREAS, the Counties seek to provide a convenient location where residents can safely
and legally ride off:.highway vehicles ("OHVsj; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department utilized a State of
Florida grant to evalua1e safe and legal locations that could properly support OHV use, with a
preference for the Dade-CoDier Training and Transition Airport, located at the 48-mile marker of
U.S. Higbway41; and
WHEREAS, a Miami-Dade County Aviation Department study, dated April 2009, later
recommended that a 1,600-acre portion of the 24,480-acres Airport be transitioned to support a
variety of outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to, camping, fishing, archery,
wildlife viewing, and designated 1rails for hiking, biking, and OHV S; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department and Miami-Dade County
Aviation Department have executed a Memorandum of Understanding, dated December 2008,
that establishes the basis for the use of the 1,600-acre property and provides for the development
of the Dade-CoDier Cypress Recreation Area (the "Recreation Area''); and
WHEREAS, since this Recreation Area is equidistant between Miami-Dade County and
Collier County resident population areas, it could successfully provide a suitable place for OHV
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riders, and could provide a functional replacement for the 2005 closure of the Picayune Strand,
which was previously used by Collier County OHV riders; and
WHEREAS, the transition of this Recreation Area from Aviation to Recreation use will
ensure the preservation and enhancement of the ecosystem, while simultaneously permit the
authorized and safe use of certain non-sensitive areas by OHV riders; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County, as owner of the Recreation Area wholly located within
Collier County, has abeady initiated required land use amendments from Collier County, as a
prerequisite to establishing the Recreation Area; and
WHEREAS, the Counties understand that it is necessary to complete development approval
of the property, and to coordinate the extensive input of national, state and county regulatory
agencies with the variety of affected interest groups.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs the County Manager or his Designee to support establishment of a 1,600-
acre recreational area to support a variety of activities, including off-highway vehicle use and
trails, within the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport.
Section 2. Directs the County Manager or Designee to jointly identify the applicable
planning and development approvals necessary for the development of the Recreation Area.
Section 3. Directs the County Manager or Designee to assist with coordinating input from
the applicable regulatory agencies.
This Resolution adopted this q~y orJ~ , 2009, after motion, second and
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AttEST: ....j
.r!'~.E. ~~CLERK
~~J~5c By.
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ApprdveClle:lO'form and legal
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~een M. Greene r
Assistant County Attorney
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