Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution, No. 2018-083 the title of which is as follows: (Mayor Furr)
 
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO APPROVE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT AND PROVIDE EXPANDED FEDERAL FUNDING AND GRANT PROGRAMS FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION OF CORAL REEFS; DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REPRESENTING BROWARD COUNTY RESIDENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

(Transferred to the Consent Agenda.)

ACTION:  (T-11:01 AM)  Approved.

VOTE:  9-0.

Board approval is necessary to adopt a Resolution.

Enables the adoption of the above Resolution.

The Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 was designed to improve NOAA’s ability to study coral reefs and mitigate damage and decay. The act currently requires reauthorization, and the Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act has been proposed in the United States Congress. This act reauthorizes funding for the CRCA, while also providing additional federal funding and grant programs for study and conservation efforts.

Our South Florida coral reef creates thousands of jobs. In addition to being a major economic engine, it is the ecosystem for thousands of native species of marine life. The reef is currently being afflicted by an unknown disease, as well as natural and human-made damage. The Coral Reef Conservation Act provides funding for research and solutions that can help protect this reef - and others around the world just like it - for future generations to come.

With the Florida legislature passing SB 232 and HB 53 creating the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, major progress has been made on protecting coral reefs at the state level. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners urges the federal government to take action that provides funding and protection for coral reefs by reauthorizing the Coral Reef Conservation Act as amended.