97-05 v s
RESOLUTION NO. 97-5
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH,
FLORIDA, URGING THE 1997 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
TO CREATE A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR
STATEWIDE BEACH MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORTING
HOUSE BILL 103
WHEREAS, beaches are Florida's number one tourist attraction, generating more than
$16 billion annually to the state's economy, and
WHEREAS, wide sandy beaches are the first line of protection against hurricanes and can
reduce damage to coastal properties by more than 50%, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Protection estimates that at least 276
miles of Florida's sandy beaches are experiencing critical erosion, a situation which is hurting both
tourism and storm protection along both coasts, and
WHEREAS, when the state's beach management program was enacted in 1986, the
Legislature declared an intent to "appropriate at least $35 million annually"to implement this
program, an amount reinforced by DEP's FY 1997-98 legislative budget request, and
WHEREAS, average appropriations over the last five years have been less than $9
million, resulting in long delays in urgently needed beach preservation projects, and
WHEREAS, House Bill 103 in the 1997 Legislature will create a dedicated funding
source for statewide beach management of approximately $30 million annually from cruise ship
passengers embarking and debarking in Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. This Commission strongly urges the Florida Legislature to enact HB 103 or
any other legislative effort to provide long-term dedicated funding for Florida's beaches.
Section 2. A copy of this resolution shall be provided to all members of the Duval
Delegation in the Florida Legislature and to the Florida Shore& Beach Preservation Association.
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Page Two
Resolution No. 97-5
ADOPTED by the City Commission of Atlantic Beach, Florida, this /U d y of February, 1997.
Al'
Lyman T. Fletcher
Mayor/Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
-1111
Ma een King, CMC
City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
an C. JenA, Esquire
City Attorney