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Resolution
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File Number: OS-00275 Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZING AND
SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM; URGING GOVERNOR
CHARLIE CRIST AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
CREATE AND FUND A SUCCESSOR PROGRAM TO THE FLORIDA FOREVER
PROGRAM; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF SAID
RESOLUTION TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AS STATED HEREIN.
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 more than one million acres throughout Florida since
2000 and allocated $300 million annually to purchase environmentally sensitive and other lands,
through numerous successful partnerships with cities, counties, state agencies, water management
districts, nonprofit organizations, private landowners, and others in achieving its conservation
purposes; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through its partnerships with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Water Management Districts, 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, park lands, forests, and water bodies; and
WHEREAS, Florida Forever, through the Florida Communities for Trust, has assisted Florida's
cities and counties in protecting their cultural and historical resources, meeting the challenges of
growth management, directing development away from coastal high hazard areas and floodplains;
fostering a healthier lifestyle for Floridians; 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 70 million visitors each year; and
WHEREAS, fifty Florida local governments have enacted land acquisition financing programs in
the past decades, which 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 green space, access to
water, pastoral settings 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
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 Printed On: 3/4/2008
File Number. 08-00275
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
WHEREAS, research by the Florida Forever Coalition has found that more than $20 billion is
currently needed to purchase parks and recreational facilities, wildlife and wilderness areas, and open
space for our state's increasing population; 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 COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by
reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission recognizes and supports the Florida Forever program and
urges Governor Charlie Crist and the members of the Florida Legislature to create and fund a
successor program to the Florida Forever program.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Charlie
Crist, the President of the Senate Ken Pruitt, the Speaker of the House Marco Rubio and all the
members of the Florida Legislature.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor.{1}
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
J(QILC u:CA11 ,-'
MARIA J. CHI1 RO.
INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY
Footnotes:
(1 } If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. if the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shaft become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami
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