96-09 v RESOLUTION NO. 96-9
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
REQUESTING THE 1996 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE
FUNDING FOR THE PRESERVATION AND REPAIR OF THE STATE'S
BEACHES, TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR FUNDING NON-FEDERAL
PROJECTS, AND TO IDENTIFY A LONG-TERM DEDICATED FUNDING
SOURCE
WHEREAS,Florida's beaches are an important part of the quality of life of the community,
providing enormous aesthetic, environmental, hurricane mitigation and recreational benefits for our
residents and tourists; and
WHEREAS,beaches continue to be Florida's number one tourist attraction and are thus vital
to our economic well-being, generating over $9 billion in beach-related sales annually and
contributing to a ripple effect to the Florida economy of over $16 billion; and
WHEREAS,the City of Atlantic Beach recognizes that severe beach erosion continues to be
a major problem in Florida,with coastal development threatening this important natural resource; and
WHEREAS, federal funding for beach and inlet projects is declining, resulting in delays in
implementing needed erosion projects and putting more pressure on state and local sources; and
WHEREAS, since navigation inlets cause some 80% of beach erosion in Florida, the most
cost-effective way to reduce erosion is to recapture sand from inlets and place it on the eroded
downdrift beaches; and
WHEREAS, as a matter of long-standing policy,the Legislature has given priority to funding
those beach and inlet projects which have substantial federal matching money; and
WHEREAS, the state legislature has historically demonstrated a commitment to the
preservation of Florida's beaches, and now must recognize the critical environmental and economic
need to maintain or repair our beaches, with our without the financial assistance of the federal
government.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ATLANTIC BEACH AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City of Atlantic Beach requests that the State Legislature provide adequate
annual funding to carry out a statewide comprehensive beach management program to protect
Florida's remaining pristine beaches and repair those that are severely damaged, and consider the
Department of Environmental Protection 1996-97 budget request of$36.8 million;
Page Two
Resolution No. 96-9
Section 2. The City of Atlantic Beach requests that since navigation inlets are the primary cause
of beach erosion in Florida, that the Legislature, in its beach management funding strategy, give equal
priority to inlet sand bypassing as it does to traditional beach nourishment projects;
Section 3. The City of Atlantic Beach requests that in cases where federal government has not
yet appropriated matching funds for projects, and where local governments are willing to "loan"the
federal share in order to deal quickly with an urgent erosion problem, the Legislature, as a matter of
policy,will consider such"loans"by local governments to be the equivalent of the federal matching
share for the project.
Section 4. The City of Atlantic Beach requests that the State Legislature give serious
consideration to identification of and dedication of a fair and stable source of long-term funding to
fully implement a statewide beach management program for preserving and restoring Florida's
threatened sandy beaches.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City
Commission.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION this 1 lth day of March. 1996.
LYMAN T. FLETCHER
Mayor/Presiding Officer
Approved as to form and correctness:
l/ AN C. ). SEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
ATTEST:
r) tL c
MA EN KING, C C
City Clerk