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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_03-85/86_02/11/1986 RESOLUTION NO. 3 -85/86 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA REQUESTING AFFIRMATIVE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO REDUCE MORTALITY RATES IN THE WEST INDIAN MANATEE POPULATION WHEREAS, the West Indian manatee is an endangered species important to the citizens of the Village of Tequesta and the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, this species is a symbol of South Florida waterways; WHEREAS, existing mortality rates are so large as to pose a real and substantial threat to the continued existence of this species in Florida waterways; and WHEREAS, a significant source of mortality in the West Indian manatee population is man - related and due to impacts by boats and other causes directly related to man's activities; and WHEREAS, boating opportunities are important to the citizens and economy of this region and the State of Florida in general; and WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that construction of new marina facilities should not be allowed until such time as existing mortality rates are reduced; and WHEREAS, continued growth in boating opportunities cannot occur within this region without further threatening the survival of the West Indian manatee population, unless prior and comprehensive State and region - wide action is taken to reduce existing levels of man - induced manatee mortality; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Village Council of the Village of Tequesta, Florida: Section 1. The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta requests on behalf of its citizens that the State of Florida take whatever affirmative and immediate action as is deemed necessary to reduce and eliminate existing and future man - related mortality in the West Indian Manatee population, thereby allowing future growthin boating opportunities. Section 2. It is recommended that the following actions be considered and, if warranted, be implemented: 2 _ a. Expand slow and idle speed zone areas to include all areas within which this species occurs. b. Expand to whatever extent is necessary enforcement of laws I esigned to protect the West Indian Manatee from ;farm. C. Require licensing and education of all power boat operators. d. Require licensing fees of sufficient magnitude to fund administrative costs to the State and costs of expanded enforcement requirements. e. Designate only particular areas of waterway as greater than idle speed zones. Section 3. That copies of this Resolution be sent to the Governor and each member of the Cabinet and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was offered by Councilmember Howell who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Murphy and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: FOR ADOPTION AGAINST ADOPTION Gemino Howell Murphy Howell Stoddard The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed this 11th day of February 1986. Mayor of Tequesta Carlton D. Stoddard ATTEST: CyreseUColbert, Village Clerk # gTMI N� 4> o " Sr "TF BOB GRAHAM Governor GEORGE FIRESTONE Secretary of State . JIM SMITH r � „ °�` Attorney General State of Florida S A L R GERALD A. LEWIS Comptroller DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BILL a su er R DOYLE CONNER DR. ELTON J. GISSENDANNER Commissioner of Agriculture Executive Director RALPH D. TURLINGTON Marjory Stoneman Douglas Building Commissioner of Education 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 February 27, 1986 Mr. Robert Harp Village Manager Village of Tequesta Post Office Box 3273 1. 1 Tequesta, Florida 33458 Dear Mr. Harp: � Governor Graham has asked me to thank you and respond to the Manatee Protection Resolution adopted by the Village of Tequesta, Florida, that was provided to him. As the resolution points out, statewide manatee protection is certainly needed. You may be aware that the Department of Natural Resources expanded its manatee program substantially during FY 1984 -85 (from one person to five). Even with this expansion, the water dependent growth seems to be outpacing our ability to acquire the necessary answers to insure protection of the manatee. Total manatee mortalities for 1984 and 1985 are the two highest ever documented with 131 and 129 confirmed deaths, respectively. Concurrent with record totals, boat /barge related mortality was also the highest ever recorded during these two years. Additionally, 1986 has started out with a near record pace of mortalities. We recognize that man's impacts on manatees are not limited to the direct injuries inflicted by his boats, barges, water control struc- tures, and fishing gear, but that habitat alterations also play a major influencing role. For these reasons we are considering recommend- ing to the Governor and Cabinet, as head of the Trustees and head of the DNR, the adoption of a moratorium preventing the construction of new marinas and high density multislip docking facilities for much of the East Coast and selected areas on the West Coast. This moratorium, if adopted by the Governor and Cabinet, should give us the necessary time to collect adequate information to develop area specific marina siting criteria for essential manatee habitats. DIVISIONS / ADMINISTRATION BEACHES AND SHORES LAW ENFORCEMENT MARINE RESOURCES RECREATION AND PARKS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT STATE LANDS Mr. Robert Harp Page Two February 27, 1986 Your continued support toward the protection of the endangered manatee is appreciated. Sincerely, C Elton . Gissendanner Execu ive Director EJG /prj CC: Governor Bob Graham Secretary of State George Firestone Attorney General Jim Smith Comptroller Gerald A. Lewis Treasurer Bill Gunter Commissioner of Agriculture Doyle Conner Commissioner of Education Ralph D. Turlington Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council OF IHE sr 4T F STATE TREASURER INSURANCE COMMISSIONER FIRE MARSHAL F THE CAPITOL, TALLAHASSEE 32301 A 0 March 4, 1986 l Mr. Robert Harp Village Manager Village of Tequesta - P.O. Box 3273 Tequesta, Florida 33458 Dear Mr. Harp: Thank you for your recent correspondence and the enclosed resolution adopted by the Village of Tequesta. I share your sentiments about the critical importance of a comprehensive manatee protection program. I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to Dr. Elton Gissendanner, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources. Also, by copy of this letter, I am asking Dr. Gissendanner to respond to your recommendations for further manatee protection measures. Again, thank you for sharing with us your concerns about the need for additional measures to reduce the incidence of man - related manatee mortality. If you have further information or comments, or if I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Bill Gunter State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner BG:Jg cc: Dr. Elton Gissendanner, DNR An Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer ot OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER M� DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND FINANCE '<, STATE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE GERALD LEwis 32301 COMPTROLLER OF FLORIDA March 8, 1986 Mr. Robert Harp Village Manager Village of Tequesta Post Office Box 3273 Tequesta, Florida 33458 Dear Mr. Harp: Thank you for the copy of your resolution concerning the mortality rates in the West Indian Manatee population. I appreciate you taking the time to inform me of your position on this issue. The Department of Natural Resources is expected to request the Governor and Cabinet to order an indefinite moratorium on construction of new marinas along coastal areas with a high percentage of manatee deaths. Let me assure you that when this request comes before the Governor and Cabinet, I will give every consideration to this proposal prior to the final vote. Again, thank you for the copy of your resolution. If I can be E of future assistance to you, please feel free to contact me. Sin erely, GERALD LEWIS GL:gcm s � � 9 MAR 1 21986. 19 �_ N