THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE DIVISION RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
Approval of this item supports the Commission’s Value of “Encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection” and its corresponding goals to "[E]ducate the public about the fragile South Florida ecosystems, impacts of severe weather, sea level rise, and climate change, with special emphasis on the coral reef ecosystem" and "[S]upport and seek local, state, and federal funds for coastal management of coral reefs through collaboration with other governmental jurisdictions."
In the 2017 Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) received funding to support a regionally coordinated coral reef monitoring program focused on water quality and coral reef health. Analyses include nutrients, chlorophyll a, and turbidity for 100+ stations along a four-county shoreline, extending from Martin to Miami-Dade County. The County’s Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) was initially contracted to provide analytical support ending June 30, 2018. Funding for this project was recently extended through June 30, 2019 as part of the approved Fiscal Year 2019 budget for the FDEP.
On April 10, 2018 (Item No. 30) the Board recognized revenues totaling $236,187 for services delivered in year one of the program, and approved temporary Budget Position Numbers (BPNs) to hire the additional staff necessary to implement the remainder of the program. With the extension of project funding for an additional year, the EML seeks to establish grant funded BPNs to provide for the continuation of this work through June 30, 2019 and to maintain staffing resources in anticipation of the continuation of future program funding from FDEP. Funding for these positions will continue to be provided via reimbursement for analytical services provided in accordance with the approved EML fee schedule. These grant funded positions will be terminated at the end of the project term.
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