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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-79-0831"SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS FOLLOW" RESOLUTION NO ' 7 9- 8 2 1 4 RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND/OR THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO ACQUIRE PRIVATELY OWNED UPLANDS AND SUBMERGED LANDS NORTH AND WEST OF THE BISCAYNE NATIONAL MONUMENT; TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES THEREBY; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT THIS RESOLUTION TO AFFECTED AGENCIES. WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay is one of..South Florida's basic economic, recreational and aesthetic assets; and WHEREAS, the establishment of the Biscayne National Monument represented a grass roots effort which has saved a significant portion of the Bay for the enjoyment of future generations; and WHEREAS, significant remaining portions of the underwater and upland ecosystem are outside the boundaries of the Biscayne National Monument and are increasingly subject to private development; and WHEREAS, the Board of. County Commission by Resolution R-1253-79 dated October 2, 1979 has urged that an acquisition program be undertaken by the Federal and/or State Governments for the expansion of the Biscayne National Monument and has invited municipal governments to join in this effort. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY "DOCUMENT NDEX OF MIAMI FLORIDA. ITEM NO. " Section 1. The Federal Government and/or the State of Florida is urged to acquire, by negotiated sale or condemnation, the privately owned uplands and submerged lands in that area known as the "Safety Valve" which is situated north of the present Biscayne National Monument, between Soldier Key and Key Biscayne, west of the ten (10) fathom curve. Section 2. The. Federal Government and/or the State of Florida is similarly urged to acquire those submerged lands CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF DEC 1979 79-831 ,®OSJJ lON No..«...»............. south of a line drawn east and west passing through the vicinity of Soldier Key, from the ten (10) fathom curve to the uplands. Section 3. The Federal. Government and/or the State of. Florida is similarly urged to acquire a strip of upland approximately sixteen (16 miles) in length contiguous to Biscayne Bay, of varying width, generally from SW 176 Street south to Mangrove Point. Section 4. The Federal Government is urged to incor- porate the aforementioned bay bottom lands and uplands into an expanded Biscayne National Monument, as shown on the attached map. Section 5. The Clerk is directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to Richard P. Brinker, County Clerk for distribution to the Board of County Commissions; to Senators Lawton Chiles and Richard Stone; Representatives Claude Pepper, William Lehman and Dante Fascell; and the Dade Delega- tion to the Florida Legislature. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5ht day of December1979 ATTEST '/BUFF'- TNIE DOC �...U;'��;EN•I FOLLOW„ PREPARED AND APPROVED BY A S STANT CITY ATTORNEY Maurice A. Ferre Maurice A. Ferre Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: EORF. KNOX, CIT I ATTORNEY as Joseph R. Grassie City Manager i ) ., Jim Reid, Director Planning Dep'artment November 28, 1979 Agenda Item City Commission Meeting Expansion of Biscayne National Monument On November 8, 1979 following the personal appearance of W.R. Lazarus, Director, Izaak Walton League of America, pertaining to a proposed expansion of. the Biscayne National Monument, the Commission by Motion M-79-767 deferred the item to a regular Commission Agenda. The Planning Department recommends Commission approval of the proposed expansion, per the attached resolution. On November 8, 1979, i1'.R. Lazarus made a personal appearance before the Commission requesting that the Commission adopt a resolution supporting a) the northward expansion of the Biscayne National Monument by acquiring approximately 60,000 acres of bay.bottom and b) acquiring a 16 mile long strip of upland averaging 300:feet in width contiguous to the Monument. The Board of County. Commissions, by Resolution R-1253-79; October 2, 1979, has already requested this action -(see attachment A).` The 96;000 acre Biscayne National Monument, together with John Pennekamp State Park and Everglades National. Park protects and preserves underwater ecosystems from Black Point south through the Keys. The purpose o.f the northerly extension of the National Monument would be to include an entire underwater ecosystem now arbitrarily divided. The purpose of upland acquisition would be to preserve red mangroves which are also a part of the ecosystem of Biscayne Bay (see Attachment B). Funding for the upland acquisition would be through Metro Dade County ,use of State Environmentally Endangered Lands funds with subsequent dedication to.the Federal Government. Federal funds are proposed to acquire the bay-bottom'lands. It is recommended that the Commission approve the proposed extension of the Biscayne National Monument, per the attached Resolution. JR:JWM:so "SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS FOLLOW" 79-831 •441 ...... 41-3 'Jil.1•.1l[t'J(fUi•L.:•IR\IVI\•• • t ....,11.l.. 1.14 _110-41, 1—.-.1....-414 to.. eel — 1i"t1 f1 ...a. o.. , - ----IA... sl i •}'.`•.0 uw 1. u PROPOSED EXPANSION BISCAYNE NATIONAL` MONUMENT UPLANDS PROPOSED FOR EXPANSION --S.11a,1 sit •• — N m N y'D! i72......, BAY BOTTOM AREA PROPOSED FOR EXPANSION ( ,/,,,,--? L— l __ ...a 2 . I[.111[a8[0 7 7 1 [f 1[.�c[•ti�1 Ewa . 7 � EXISTING BISCAYNE I �,,._ L _ t:.. �'. NATIONAL MONUMENT I �.`rr f t'- r I y ram' pG 41•••1 si tes_ _ i I ii I1 ," I �' warn 11 MANGROVE POINT 1• II C..D ... a^ `.v 4j .OUNO ra %.btl.�i N [/� KEY BISCAYNE V '^ OUTER BANK REEFS HARDGROUNDS ►��1 PATCH REEFS SANDS (II:.EXPOSED LIMESTONE BEDROCK " GRASSBEOS SOURCE: MARSZALEK,DR. 0,I97B PROPOSED EXPANSION OS 131.5E s 1,,E191IIONAL MONUMENT FOLI QW' ATTACHMENT A. Amar '�i item No. 5 (g) (6) 10-2-'(9 tll i RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT :AND/OR THE GOVERNMENT OF TILE STATE OF.' 1 LORIDA TO ACQUIRE PRIVATELY OWNED UPLANDS AND, SUBMERGED LANDS NORTH AND WEST OF THE BISCAYNE` NATIONAL MONUMENT AND TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT MONUMENT THEREBY WHEREAS,. Biscayne Bay is one of Dade County's basic economic and aesthetic assets; and WHEREAS, Biscayne Bay's recreational value is immeasurable in economic terms to those who dwell on its margins, those who use it recreationally, and to the whole Dade community; and WHEREAS, the establishment of the Biscayne National Monument represented a grass roots effort which has saved a magnificent portion of the Bay for the enjoyment of generations to come; and WHEREAS,- further additions to Biscayne National Monument will increase its value proportionately; and WHEREAS, efforts are now being made to acquire additional uplands and submerged lands for the Monument, alb NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA: Section 1.. The Federal Government and/or the Government of the State of Florida is urged to acquire, by negotiated sale or condem- nation, the .privately owned uplands and submerged lands in that area known as the "Safety Valve" which is situated north of the. -present Biscayne National- Monument and north northwest of Soldier Key. Section 2. The Federal Government and/or the Government of the State of Florida is similarly urge,to acquire those submerged lands south of the line drawn East and West and passing through -the vicinity of Soldier Key, from the ten (10) fathom curve to the development line shown on the accompanying map. "SUPPO MiE DOM FOLLOW" 79-8'31 Amendr Agenda tem No. 5 (g) (6). Page No. 2 Section 3. The Federal Government and/or the Government of the State of Florida is similarly urged to acquire that strip of land, ;whirl: lies east of the proposed development line described as follows: l , . t;ci ! 1 1.3rl:Intlut ,) . 131;tcri;; tit:` National t•'.murc'n t• • Conmencim at the: 1F,i comer of Section 35, 'fowrtahtlu 55 ::'uut11, tau ';i• -40 East, thence i ent el , for u(�f)r "te•1y 1,n85 feet. �t]rli ; thy '� �, ,�; ,, 'r�xi * nt. I't h line of said ,Section 35 to r1 point on the centerline or 01d .Cutler Road, thence se)utiale:;t, rly foe rlrij i oximately 2,680 feet aloig the centerline of said Old Cutler Road to 1'i roint:, naid point,beitl;.; the inteenec.tion of t:ho ernterlinc of Old Cutler road with the centerline of S .W. 176 Street, thence easterly alornt; the extension or the centerline'' ef S.W. 176 .Street-' bearing N b ° 39' 08" i, for approximntely 700 feet: to the roint of .ber,irllliw. `I'hi.nr.e S 5° 9' 98" for approximately 2,900 feet to the south liile of L cction 35, Town- ship 55 South, Ranr,e 40 East, thence S 1° 35' 2" E for err oa-vllately 1,950 feet to a point on the nerti" rly property line of ; alcedo Subdivision, pion, thence S 39° 24' 43" W for approximately 250.feet, thence southerly alone; the proposed "ri^y':101 "leant; Line" fur Saul Subriivision thence S 57° 00' ,0" E for :1epr xinritel,1 250 feet to a point on the rlc•rth property line ot( 5;it,i� h y Subdivision,' thence southerly along the r't oposed 'DovoloVlent Lin:.°" for Sara Pay to a nednt on the h^,1!' line of Section 14, Township 56 S, Renrc 40 1s, Estate::; i1 #sO° 33' 25" ..;, point e' ,- ;, �,1:i.c.1 i in,. 1 s t - P1 r ...i... ly 1,350 feet east of the 1:r st line of said 'lcot:iatl 14, thence ce :i 1 '° , 38' 26" W for approximately 2,890 feet to a point on the north line of Section 23, Tot•'ri z ip 55 :1, i';.ult-,� 110 1?,, said point beitll., approximately 460 feet cast of the nprtn'rtest cornor of seed Section 23, thence.'ienterl;,: nlorlr; the north line of said :Seth), 23, to a point ap( eoxisnately 3,330 foot east; of the noethwe st corn'.:. of est i 'l a c'.�, '1'V'h'enh i 1} ' t). •c 1 1 ;,,) y .) ,, li:ul,,. It E. Lhtvace' uLIIC.I ], aim,* tl' r,r'ot•,oeed "i',e,ieln(rnc'rIt },irle" jot flack Point t;av1na to the northwest corner of Section 27, Township 56 S, }vu'It,e 40 L, thence ce . c.)ut h:•:es :r'rly along a line Leering, ct.'J 12' 15" Wfor approximately 3,520 feet, thence 34° �� 12' 15" :•' for approximitely 3,500 feet, teener S 2 ° 42' 15" ':' fey• approximately 2,730 feet, thence S 14rj 17' 45" L; for approximately 1,200 feet, thence :; 460 12' 15" ;'Jfor approximately Uutcl'y' 2,200 feet, thence `, 21°" 12' 15" 1'' fr)1' apt?roxi- r te1y 2,000 feet, thence S 0° 12' 15" ;'! for approximately 3,250 feet, thence 3° 42► 15" W for c,i;rt o; im...ttL1y 3,950 rest to the south line of Section 9, Township 57 S, R t;'r• 40 iT, said line being the north bQunda.tw lilac c") rJ0" e- ,Stead 1;-.cyfront P?ri'., thellce westerly along Said bcundary line to a point 1: roxi.•rately 3s0 feet east oi' the southwest corner of Section 9, To,..ns} ip 57 S, Ran ' 40 E, thenee e,rlt}te.'rly alntle, ",ale' ra'i'poeeti 1`e ell+pflit':tt Line" for Said 1{7:i,•:'et'''ad 13L1yf r )et ''•i.t 1•:." t° a point on the south boundary line of said :'ark{ said wllit t7'rlr;, t feet east of h� boundary park, thence �� � the west toe r.c}:u ,; of t'•h�. .:a.., easterly along the south br)ue lar;;, like of said Part: fora distance of approxi- mately 4,000 feet, thence .. 12° 0' 00" E for approximately 1,800 feet,, thence 1'1' 7;_`' 0' 00" Is for epprox unite];; 550 feet to the litWeter l: of i•.C;.rl iii it te'. on. the western shore of le i nca"r;e Pay, thence southerly rt i idaril alone: 'aid mean hitt, water Lino :ov el prexinutu1;, .1,600 feet, thence e aci'oss the mouth of a ran -ands b n i r'I lone e n line k r^•t'i t tr; " WI° 0' 00" i'All' : t di st nee . of approximately 300 feet, thence ^e soutl•lei'1y along the l.in'. uf` Nene 11' ' Water for :?e r'i)X'.11,.ltel`,r ja! l' C'1', 1.11"I:CC` t� ti.,C) 0' 00" W for approximately 930 feet, t !earl!. ', ,t) l r , for t,l t(.1',�': i r t;r.l . , e� , . t C. , � .. 00" 1 .�l `. 1,,(lfl f .t•i:, Menet, � ,i ,v for .r prcl..a^.etcl;; 1,4!,U feel, thence .1 120 30' 00" for a:(eoxit'. tcly 1,1150 feet, thence due ::' uti, 1'c.,t_ r,lep ) ,1 �2,050 t ,; t t c ::}nlilt:e � fce�t, t. It 1 .'.e. ut t r.'1': , "aloe the west lint' of 1,, ''1'; }d'I l I, bPoint tr t(tlt,s" r. t13 to its bitter ;e''CtiCn witn the '.le.::t'' '1y e r r e1 ' olt: e , f r :te.tl.ian 1' Ll, . It..l t•c u.at••.• line o the ! iscayee iIUt.ii'i!n1 i „'i'n rtt , th'_rlce eistoi'1 i :11Ut1,' the eXistinJ ' .'uth 1 •oun•' try of the l' i oc: t;; rle :Ia t i on' 1 ' i l:u' nt. thence northerly aloe.- t 1:e exi. tin e. erii p:Y)l,r.sed 1':�n1. 1,�.Yt1r1;:r'•' �I' n;taic} 1' ', .,. rtt; then t':$� ,,e•l l;: t11t'►•,' 1:orth bo•arr_:ar,, or : air 1',I:,c;r•, c :=tt 1 ;;e •irnir• "r, t� . � ior� l i 7rn�r.�r ,, t �i t� t �u irit of lrc' .� .. � :. James F. Redford, Jr. seconded by Commissioner Beverly B. Phillips put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Neal F. Adams Aye Clara Oesterle Aye William G. Oliver Aye Beverly B. Phillips Aye James F. Redford', Jr. Aye Harvey Ruvin Absent Barry D. Schreiber Aye Ruth,Shack Absent Stephen P. Clark Aye Section !1 Amended Agenda Item No. 5 (g) (6). Page No. 3 All local public official,, boards, municipal councils and commissions, civic associations, chambers of commerce; and_ private groups in Dade County are urged to join with the Board of County Commissioners of this County in this endeavor to protect Biscayne Bay now and in the future through the acquisition of the uplands and submerged lands referred to in this Resolution by the Federal Government or the Government of the State of Florida. The foregoing resolution was offered by Commissioner , who moved its adoption The motion was and upon being :.a The Mayor thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 2nd day of October, 1979. DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA BY ITS BOARD- OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RICHARD P. BRINKER, CLERK � .A" el n i* ni w a rms Approved by , CountyAttorney as By •to form and legal sufficiency.• Deputy clerk..., +4 4 "S.UPPORTIVP: • vLi FOLLOW)! 1 f03.o1-*4 MEMORANDUM Amended Agenda 'Item No. 5 (g) (6) f0 Honorable Mayor and Members, -mac Hoard of County Commissioners •u.Jta♦ Stuart L. Simon Dade County Attorney October 2, 1979 Resolution urging the Federal and/or State Governinents to acquire privately owned uplands and submerged lands north and west of the Biscayne National Monument Resolution No, R-1253-7,' The attached resolution was prepared and placed on the agenda at the request of:-Commissioner.Redford. SLS:se Attachment f Stuart L. Simon "SUPPORTIVE. DOCUMENTS FOLLOW". ATTACHMENT B. EXCERPT: PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN, Metropolitan Dade County Planning Department, December, 1978., pp-65-86 "Offshore Systems The relatively shallow portion of the continental shelf is about 2 miles wide east of the sedimentary barrier islands of Key Biscayne, Virginia Key and Miami Beach, and 4 to 5 miles wide opposite the coral rock islands which form the upper Florida keys. The shallow shelf edge or drop-off generally parallels the are prescribed by, these island chains. The shallower region of the shelf, landward of the ninety foot contour is characterized by coral reef communities interspersed with deep channels, barren rocky areas, sand banks and marine grass communities. Beyond the drop-off, the shelf extends further seaward along the Miami Terrace a broad, flat area of the deeper continental shelf. The landward edge of the Gulf Stream coincides variably with the seaward margins of the shallow shelf. "The outer reef extends from southern Dade County to Fowey Rocks' (see Figure 30). North of Fowey, the outer reef area is characterized by outcroppings of ancient reef structures of hardened limestone called hardgrounds. In this area, sparse growth of living corals, sponges and other reef fauna grow upon these limestone outcroppings. "From Fowey Rocks south, heavy wave action from the open ocean results in an extensive rubble zone over the top of the outer reef, live corals abound in rubble -free areas where limestone rock is exposed. Frequently large brain corals plus branching elkhorn and staghorn corals are:the dominant species and principal architects of these reef communities. In this region, waters are usually clearer than inshore and there is sufficient water movement to bring ample supplies of nutrients and oxygen to the. growing corals. "The back reef region is found generally between the outer reefs and the shoreline. North of Fowey Rocks, the back reef area is characterized mainly` by sand. From Fowey Rocks, to the south, the back reef consists of patch reefs which are usually separated from each other and from the mainland by areas of sand, mud -sands and grass beds. A halo of sand generally surrounds individual patch reefs. These bare sand areas are created and maintained by the foraging activity of reef fishes and sea urchins on adjacent grass beds. Large heads of star and brain corals plus sea fans,'plumes and sea whips are the dominant patch reef builders." (p.65) "Although coral species build and define the reefs, they comprise only a small part of the total reef community. Because they provide a diverse SUPPORTI t'E DOCUMEN ~S FOLLOW" 79-831 habitat, .coral reef communities are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Many sea fans and whips, tube worms, anemones, sponges,. and algae live attached to the corals and are positioned to filter tiny organisms and nutrients out of the waters which flow over and around the reefs. Thus, these creatures aid in preserving water clarity which is a prerequisite for reef growth. Other organisms tear down or burrow within the reef structure to find food and shelter. Numerous invertebrate and fish species feed within the reef community." (p.67) "A portion of the economic value of reef communities can be measured in terms of commercial and sport fishery landings, and the value'of recrea- tional equipment sold or leased for fishing, diving or other related activities. .Less easily measured are the attraction of these features to tourism, their value as a highly productive community, and their functioning as a natural breakwater and sand filter. "Uses of the Reef and Gulf Stream. There are over 200 commercial fishing boats which work Dade's coastline. Commercial fishing is done primarily by drift boats which fish the reefs for snapper, grouper or other bottom dwelling species. Approximately 25 percent of the county's'commercial boats are charter boats which specifically seek gamefish such as sailfish, marlin and swordfish. It is estimated that the Dade charterboat fleet grosses' over $l million in fees, plus $400,000 in mounting deposits, and almost $200,000 from fish sales. There are also thousands of trips made to the reef and stream each year by private boats registered within Dade County. "The waters along the continental shelf are also used'extensively for commercial crabbing and lobstering. Lobsters from the Biscayne Bay and Bahamian nursery areas are trapped in the patch and outer reef zones. In good weather, the average fisherman pulls about 300 traps per day in the reef areas of Biscayne National Monument.' (P.67) "North of the Keys the ancient reef tract is submerged beneath the shallow waters of the Pay -Ocean interface and is overlain alternately by bands of sandy mud and grass flats. This extensive sytem of shoals and channels, which includes the Biscayne Flats, is known collectively as the "Safety Valve. Further north, the ancient reef tract is covered with sand deposits which form the sedimentary barrier islands of Key Biscayne, Virginia Key, and Miami Beach." (p.69) 1079-831 "While major portions of the reef tract in Dade County lie within the boundaries of Biscayne National Monument, there are significant linkages between the reefs and the adjacent land or bay communities outside the Monument. Since many marine animals spend parts of their life cycles in more than one community, situations which affect one community may indirectly affect other coastal communities. While Dade. County has little direct control over the offshore reefs, many landside or bay activities (i.e. degradation of inshore nursery areas can affect the offshore communities). Conversely, offshore pressures on migratory species can adversely affect populations which seasonally enter inshore waters These relationships must be closely and carefully scrutinized in order that the coastal resources may survive as one of south Florida's most valuable recreational, aesthetic,. and economic attractions." (p.68) "Although the link between mangroves and coastal waters has been recog nized and maintained for the past few years, the hydrologic link between upland terrestrial systems and the landward margins of shoreline mangrove forests often has not. Mangroves may thrive in areas that receive nutrient rich surface runoff from terrestrial sources as they do in areas of tidal flow. However, construction activity, in Dade County has typically severed these forests from their upland runoff sources. As nutrient inflow from upland sources is maintained ,or increased, the vigor of tree growth can be expected to respond accordingly In addition, substantial inflow of freshwater from terrestrial areas is necessary to maintain a proper salinity regimen within the coastal mangrove forest where tidal flushing is infrequent. Most important however, is that the trees themselves are only a portion of a complex system. .Correspondingly, the required nutrient inflows must not be accompanied by herbicides, pesticides or other toxic chemicals which can disrupt food webs or other cycles within the system. "In sum, the mangrove communities create a dynamic system responsive to natural perturbations. Such responses may be changes in rates of leaf fall, the rates of colonization and distribution of species in the various zones, and changes in the rates and kinds of exproted material to surrounding bays. Acting together, these communitiesform a regional system where the quality of waters and ecosystems stability are maximized. (pp.85-86) r79 - 8 31 'au�•aiuumu'ur:lni.ugriur�.._.I w...t•. _ .. _. I I ♦- c.cc,. c,•-r «SUPPO wF DOCUML 'ITS FQLLO�./» �^ OUTER BANK REEFS HARDGROUNDS IhNS3 PATCH REEFS SANDS EZL3.EXPOSED LIMESTONE BEDROCK GRASSBEDS SOURCE: MARSZALEK,DR. D.,197B 79-831