HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-23-0352City of Miami
Resolution R-23-0352
Legislation
File Number: 14402
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
Final Action Date: 7/27/2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY ("COUNTY") TO CONSIDER ACQUIRING BIRD KEY FROM BIRD
KEY LLC, THE CURRENT PRIVATE OWNERS, AS PART OF ITS
ENVIRONMENTALLY ENDANGERED LANDS PROGRAM; FURTHER URGING
THE COUNTY TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT DESIGNATES BIRD KEY AS A
PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL SANCTUARY AND RESTRICTS
COMMERCIALIZATION OR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE AREA;
URGING THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD TO CONDUCT A
THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF ANY
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS PROPOSED IN THE AREA SURROUNDING BIRD
KEY AS PART OF ITS REGULATORY REVIEW PROCESS AND TO REJECT
ANY PROJECTS THAT WOULD DISTURB THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE
ISLAND; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED HEREIN; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Sabina Covo, Commissioner Christine King
WHEREAS, Bird Key is a 3.7-acre islet located in Biscayne Bay off the coast of Miami,
Florida, known for serving as a mangrove -lined sanctuary for numerous native bird species
offering them shelter and a place to rest away from predators on the mainland; and
WHEREAS, Bird Key is one of the few naturally formed islands in Biscayne Bay and has
long been recognized as environmentally endangered land by Miami -Dade County (the
"County") due to its ecological significance and vital role in supporting local wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Bird Key is currently privately owned, making it susceptible to potential
commercial development that could further harm the environment and wildlife in the area; and
WHEREAS, recently the island has been plagued with washed-up piles of trash and the
collapse of its rookery in 2019, which has impacted the bird colonies and their natural habitat;
and
WHEREAS, recent proposals have been made to commercialize the area surrounding
Bird Key, which many experts believe will further disturb the area ensuring the bird colonies
never recover; and
WHEREAS, Bird Key remains on the County's Endangered Lands Program, but no
offers have been made to the Matheson family, who currently manage Bird Key LLC, the entity
that owns island, to acquire and protect the land; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 14402 (Revision:) Printed On: 811112023
File ID: 14402
Enactment Number: R-23-0352
WHEREAS, it is crucial to protect and preserve Bird Key's ecological significance and
the diverse wildlife it supports by ensuring that it remains free from commercialization or other
human development that threatens the already endangered bird species; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2-33(f) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida,
as amended, the City Commission, by a majority vote, hereby deems this Resolution to be of an
emergency nature;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby urges the County to consider acquiring Bird
Key from Bird Key LLC, the current private owners, as part of its Environmentally Endangered
Lands Program.
Section 3. The City Commission hereby urges the County to enact legislation that
designates Bird Key as a protected environmental sanctuary and restricts commercialization or
human development around the area.
Section 4. The City Commission hereby urges the United States Coast Guard to
conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment of any commercial projects proposed in
the area surrounding Bird Key as part of its regulatory review process and to reject any projects
that would disturb the ecosystem of the island.
Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the
Miami -Dade County Board of Commissioners and to the District Commander for District 7 of the
United State Coast Guard ("USCG"), and the Sector Miami Commander for the USCG Atlantic
Area.
Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
1
i ria i : ndez, City Attor iey 8/9/2023
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 14402 (Revision:) Printed on: 811112023