2009-48 Request for Funding & Legislation to Address Beach Erosion ESOLUTION 2009-48
•
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA REQUESTING THE ASSISTANCE OF
GOVERNOR CRIST AND THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE
ADEQUATE FUNDING AND ENACT STRONGER LEGISLATION
DIRECTED TOWARD RESOLVING THE BEACH EROSION CRISIS
WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the State of Florida Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems has compiled data in a
study as recently as June 2008 regarding the condition of critically eroded beaches in Florida; and
WHEREAS, this study indicated that five counties along the southern Atlantic coast of Florida
have a total of 96.8 miles of critically eroded beaches; and
WHEREAS, Palm Beach County has 31.1 miles of this critically eroded shoreline area within its
boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature, through the enaction of Section 161.088, Florida Statutes,
has already declared that "[b]ecause beach erosion is a serious menace to the economy and
general welfare of the people of this state and has advanced to emergency proportions, it is hereby
declared to be a necessary governmental responsibility to properly manage and protect Florida
beaches fronting on the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Straits of Florida from erosion
and that the Legislature make provisions for beach restoration and nourishment projects....;" and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature, through the enaction of Section 380.21(3)(a), Florida
Statutes, has akeady determined that "the coastal zone is rich in a variety of natural, commercial,
recreational, ecological, industrial and aesthetic resources of immediate and potential value to the
present and future well being of the residents of this state which will be irretrievably lost or
damaged if not properly managed [which] requires a highly coordinated effort among the state,
regional, and local officials and agencies;" and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature allocated only approximately 15 million dollars in the last
budget year related to beach projects for the entire state of Florida, and this allocation discounts
the gravity of the impacts to the State's economy caused by beach and shoreline erosion; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach, requests that the Florida
Legislature adequately recognize this issue and allocate sufficient and proportionate funding to
address the problems that beach and shoreline erosion create throughout the State, including the
impacts to the economy and general welfare of Florida's citizens.
• NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE
OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
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Section 1. The foregoing recitals are ratified as true and incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach hereby requests the
assistance of Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature in addressing the beach erosion crisis
with adequate funding and stronger legislation proportionally related to the enormous negative
consequences of beach and shoreline erosion on the State's economic and general welfare. The
Village further encourages the State to fund research and infrastructure installation that will lead
to, and provide for, a permanent solution to this ongoing threat.
Section 3. The Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach requests that a copy of
this Resolution be sent to Governor Crist and both houses of the Florida Legislature.
Section 4.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 27th DAY OF
(Village Seal)
ATTEST:
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VILLAGE CLE
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