HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-88-33RESOLUTION NO. R-88-33
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, RECOMMENDING
THAT ROBERT MARTINEZ, GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, RECOMMEND THE U.S.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY DESIGNATE THE INDIAN RIVER
LAGOON AS A "NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT ESTUARY" UNDER THE WATER
QUALITY ACT OF 1987.
WHEREAS, the Indian River lagoon is the most diverse estuary
in North America, and
WHEREAS, the quality of life, culture, and economic welfare of
the residents of the region have long been associated with the
Indian River lagoon system, and
WHEREAS, the Indian River lagoon is an important part of
America's history for nearly 500 years as the first siting of the
mainland by the Spanish explorers and the last footfall for man
in space, and
WHEREAS, commercial fishery landings in 1985 for the Indian
River lagoon amounted to 29.2 million pounds and a dockside
value of $30.2 million, representing 59 percent of Florida's east
coast landings, and 17 percent of the state of Florida's total
landings, and
WHEREAS, some 252,000 recreational fishermen spend an
estimated $4 million in daily expenditures, generating an annual
$66 million into the regional economy, and
WHEREAS, the marine service sector located along the Indian
River lagoon provides a variety of services for an estimated
38,000 registered boats, with over $5 million spent annually on
launch facilities, dockage, commercial and recreational fishing
bait, tackle and supplies, engine and hull repair, yacht clubs,
marine resort areas, and
WHEREAS, Port Canaveral is one of the fastest growing ports in
Florida, handling 2,677 million pounds of imports worth $341
million and 295 million pounds of export worth $1 million, and
WHEREAS, the Port of Ft. Pierce ranked second in the state of
Florida for fresh citrus exports in 1983-84; handling 109 million
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pounds of total imports worth $1 million and 81 million pounds of
total exports worth $11 million in 1984, and
WHEREAS, the economic value of the surrounding region is
strongly promoted by the export of Indian River Citrus, with the
wholesale value of the Indian River Citrus District rivaling $700
million, with an economic impact to the region of $2.1 billion,
and
WHEREAS, land values along the shorelines of the Indian River
lagoon are enhanced by a factor of two to three times above
inland property values, enlarging the market for real estate and
subsidizing the municipal tax base from these higher property tax
revenues, and
WHEREAS, the Indian River lagoon system provides a growing
economic base for tourism from the Kennedy Space Center, and the
Federal and State Parks, with the Sebastian Inlet State Park
having the highest attendance of any State Park in Florida with
over 1 million visitors from July 1986 to June 1987, and
WHEREAS, the population trends for the Indian River lagoon
basin illustrate an increase of up to 66 percent within the
watershed by the year 2000.
WHEREAS, the Indian River lagoon system supports critical
habitat for 36 endangered species including the largest manatee
population in the State of Florida and the United States, and
WHEREAS, the National Estuary Program ensures the proper
protection and management of vital estuarine resources through
the development and funding of programs, research, and public
education, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA,
THAT:
Section 1. We support a nomination by the Governor to
designate the Indian River lagoon as an Estuary of National
Significance.
This resolution shall be in full force and effect
immediately upon its passage.
ATTEST
Richard B. Votapka, Mayor
Kathr~n M. O'Halloran, City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Sebastian,
Florida, this ~ day of April, 1988.
-( SEAL )
(STATE OF FLORIDA)
(COUNTY OF INDIAN RIVER)
Approved as to form and content:
cit~ Attorney
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