HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2007-222 Florida Forever Program Support RESOLUTION NO. 2007-222
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA
SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING FOR THE "FLORIDA
FOREVER" PROGRAM AND THE CREATION OF A SUCCESSOR
PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the "Florida Forever" program and its predecessor Preservation 2000
program have immeasurably contributed to environmental health, quality of life, recreation, and
sustainability in Florida for this and future generations; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has acquired over one million acres throughout Florida
since 2000 and allocates $300 million annually to purchase and restore environmentally sensitive
and outdoor recreation lands, and has done so through numerous successful partnerships with
cities, counties, state agencies, water managements districts, nonprofit organizations, private
landowners, and others in achieving its conservation purposes; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Water Management Districts, Division of Forestry and others, produces benefits that
include clean air and water, healthy fisheries and wildlife habitat, improved water supply
protection, and protected open spaces including greenway corridors, recreational and park lands,
forests,and water bodies; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Communities Trust, has assisted
Florida's cities and counties in protecting their cultural and historical resources, meeting the
challenges of growth management, and providing recreational outdoor experiences in both urban
and rural settings; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever has helped to save many of Florida's beaches, rivers, bays,
forests, coral reefs and estuaries that provide the foundation for our $3 billion tourism industry
that attracts more than 80 million visitors each year; and
WHEREAS, i thirty Florida local governments have enacted land acquisition financing
programs in the past decades, and these conservation programs serve to leverage Florida Forever
funding and increase the impact of State land conservation funding; and
WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing rapid population growth, with approximately 1,100
new residents every day, and Floridians demand a high quality of life that includes clean water
and air, green open space, access to water and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever and other land conservation programs must compete in
Florida's market of surging land and housing prices; and
WHEREAS, the effectiveness of Florida Forever has diminished because of escalating
land prices and the impacts of inflation; and
WHEREAS, the funding for the Florida Forever program will sunset in 2010 and may be
substantially exhausted prior to that date; and
WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has found that well in excess of
$10 billion in State funding is currently needed to purchase wildlife and wilderness areas, parks
and open space for our state's ecological sustainability and increasing human population; and
WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has also found that additional
billions of dollars in local funding is necessary in order that cities and counties can protect
additional wilderness areas, parks, recreation areas and open space, in ways fully complementary
with those of the State; and
WHEREAS, a 2005 public opinion survey conducted by members of the Florida Forever
Coalition found that 78% of Florida's voters approve of the Florida Forever program;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the City Commission supports an increase in the state funding
allocated to Florida Forever.
2 RESOLUTION#2007-222
Section 2. That the City Commission declares its support to the State of Florida
Legislature for the creation and funding of a successor program to the Florida Forever program.
Section 3. That the City Clerk is directed to distribute certified copies of this
Resolution to the members of the Broward County Legislative Delegation advocating additional
funding for the "Florida Forever" program as well as the creation and funding of a successor
program to Florida Forever.
Section 4. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5. That this Resolution shall be in force and take effect immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on November 13, 2007.
$01f A TO
MAYOR-C MISSIONER
A�T, EST: l
1 �tr-L/
LOUISE STILSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FCkM AND CORRECTNESS
\n
BY:
THO ASJ. A SBRO
CITY ATTORNEY
3 RESOLUTION 42007-222