HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1997-104 i
RESOLUTION NO. 104-97
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE EVERGLADES
RIVER OF GRASS AS AN AMERICAN HERITAGE RIVER, AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DANIA, FLORIDA;
WHEREAS, the Everglades, a unique River of Grass, is like no other
ecosystem in the world; and
WHEREAS, the Everglades River of Grass is a World Heritage Site,
provides habitat for 56 endangered or threatened species, and is a crown
jewel of the United Nations' Man in the Biosphere Program; and
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WHEREAS, the Everglades River of Grass flows through sawgrass
j ) marshes, pine forested islands, mangroves, wet prairies, and low lying coastal
waters from the Kissimmee River, southward through Florida Bay, to America's
only coral reef; and
WHEREAS, Broward County is a county in South Florida with
approximately 1.4 million people who depend upon the Everglades River of
Grass for a healthy environment and economy; and
WHEREAS, in Broward County, the Everglades River of Grass
encompasses over two-thirds of the county; and
WHEREAS, Broward County residents depend upon the Everglades
River of Grass to replenish the Biscayne Aquifer, the sole source of drinking
water for over five million people in South Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Everglades River of Grass attracts millions of tourists to
South Florida bringing over $16 billion in direct economic benefits and providing
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1 Broward County residents and tourists with recreational and ecotourism benefits,
such as fishing, boating, and bird-watching; and
WHEREAS, the Everglades River of Grass is the lifeblood of South
Florida's river systems, including the Miami River, the Kissimmee River, the
Caloosahatchee River, St. Lucie River, Shark River Slough, Taylor Slough, and
the New River, Broward County's major fresh water river system; and
WHEREAS, the Everglades River of Grass has been declared to be the
nation's most threatened ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida
has determined that restoring the Everglades River of Grass is essential for the
economic and environmental sustainability of five million residents of South
Florida; and
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WHEREAS, President Clinton and the United States Congress support
restoring the Everglades River of Grass through the most ambitious ecosystem
restoration initiative in the world; and
WHEREAS, the American Heritage Rivers designation will bestow upon
the Everglades River of Grass a special recognition that will build support for its
restoration; and
WHEREAS, the American Heritage Rivers initiative would serve to
recognize the Everglades River of Grass in the 50'" annivesary of its National
Park designation,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA;
Section 1. The City of Dania supports the designation of the Everglades
River of Grass as an American Heritage River.
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Section 2. The City of Dania requests President Clinton and the
Commission on Environmental Quality to designate the Everglades River of
Grass as an American Heritage River.
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Section 3. The City Manager is authorized to send a copy of this
resolution to the President of the United States and each member of the Broward
Congressional Delegation.
Section 4. That this resolution shall be in force and take effect
immediately upon its passage and adoption.
j PASSED AND ADOPTED on the 22 day of July 1997.
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YOR-CO MISSIONER
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK -AUDITOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
CITY ATTORNEY
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