2003-25203 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2003-25203
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO PURSUE A PROGRAM TO
DEPLOY ARTIFICIAL REEFS WITHIN THE VICINITY OF
PROTECTED SWIMMING AREAS FOR THE REMEDIATION
OF NATURAL CORAL REEFS RECENTLY BURIED UNDER
BEACH SAND NEAR MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS
PARK AND WITHIN OR NEAR OTHER PROTECTED SWIM
ZONES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
WHEREAS, coral reefs are important, threatened, and legally protected natural
resources; and
WHEREAS, natural coral reefs off of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park between
the 200 and 500 blocks of Ocean Drive were recently buried under beach sand; and
WHEREAS, the reefs off of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park were located
within 100 yards from the beach, and were previously accessible within a protected swim
zone; and
WHEREAS, the reefs were enjoyed by many residents and visitors and provided
a habitat for a great abundance and variety of marine life; and
WHEREAS, coral reefs are legally protected habitats, and damage to coral reefs
in many cases requires mitigation; and
WHEREAS, providing opportunities to residents and visitors to view and enjoy
coral reefs within a protected swimming area off of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park
would restore a valuable natural marine environment and would greatly enhance the
quality of life, reputation, and attraction of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Authority of the City of Miami Beach unanimously
recommended that the City pursue the remediation of the buried coral reefs off of
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park and urged the City Administration to take whatever
action necessary to restore said reefs between the 200 and 500 blocks of Ocean Drive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The City Administration is hereby directed to pursue a program to deploy
artificial reefs within or near the protected swim zone off of Marjory
Stoneman Douglas Park between 200 and 500 blocks of Ocean Drive and to
restore and increase the area where natural coral reefs were recently buried.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
The City Administration is hereby directed to pursue the deployment of
additional artificial reefs within or near protected swim zones throughout the
City, wherever feasible, after artificial reefs are successfully deployed off of
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park.
The City Administration is hereby directed to pursue financial and technical
assistance from federal, state and county agencies that administer coral reef
mitigation programs for the purpose of funding the directives set forth in
Sections 1 and 2 above.
The City Administration is hereby directed to make quarterly reports to the
City Commission about the progress of this program, the first report being due
three (3) months from the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED and ADOPTED this30thday of
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
April /~ ,A2003.
fi~atto\turnh'esos~artificial reefs.doc
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
RESOLUTION NO.
[DRAFT]
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO COMMENCE A PROGRAM
TO DEPLOY ARTIFICIAL REEFS WITHIN THE VICINITY OF GUARDED SWIMMING
AREAS TO MITIGATE FOR NATURAL REEFS RECENTLY BURIED UNDER BEACH
SAND NEAR MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS PARK
WHEREAS. coral reefs are important, threatened and legally protected natural
resources;
WHEREAS natural coral reefs off of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park were recently
buried under beach sand;
WHEREAS the reefs off of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Park were located within 100
yards from the beach, and were accessible within a protected swim zone;
WHEREAS the reefs were enjoyed by many residents and visitors, and provided
habitat for a great abundance and variety of marine life;
WHEREAS coral reefs are legally protected habitats, and damages to coral reefs in
many cases requires mitigation;
WHEREAS providing opportunities to residents and visitors to view and enjoy coral
reefs within a protected swimming area off of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Park would
restore a valuable natural marine environment, and would greatly enhance the quality of
life, reputation, and attraction of the city,
WHEREAS, the Marine Authority of the City of Miami Beach unanimously
recommended that the City pursue the remediation of the buried coral reefs, and take
appropriate legal actions against responsible parties, if necessary;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
The City Administration shall do the following:
1. Pursue the deployment of artificial reefs within or near the protected swim zone off of
Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Park, to restore and increase the area where natural coral
reefs were recently buried;
2. Pursue financial and technical assistance from federal, state and county agencies
that administer coral reef mitigation programs;
3. Pursue deployments of additional artificial reefs within or near protected swim zones
throughout the city, wherever feasible, after artificial reefs are successfully deployed off
of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Park; and
4. Make quarterly reports to the City Commission about the progress of this program,
the first being due 3 months from today.
PASSED AND APPROVED this __ day of
,2003.
APPROVED:
By:
David Dermer, Mayor
ATTESTED:
By:
Robert Parcher, City Clerk
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
3orge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
Saul Gross
Commissioner
April 9, 2003
Commission Agenda Item
Please place on the April 30m Commission Agenda the attached resolution
asking the City Administration to take action and pursue deploying an
artificial coral reef within or near the protected swim zone off of Marjorie
Stoneman Douglas Park, to restore and increase the area where natural coral
reefs were recently buried.
SG/ml
Attachment
Agenda Item /~--
Date