HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-25935 Reso
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-25935
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,
FLORIDA URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS (ACOE) TO SELECT, AS
AN ALTERNATIVE IN ITS MODIFIED WATERS
DELIVERY PROJECT, AN ELEVATED 11 MILE
"SKYWAY" OVER THE T AMIAMI TRAIL TO
SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF THE
EVERGLADES AND DIRECTING CITY
REPRESENTATIVES TO SUBMIT LETTERS TO
THE ACOE AND TO THE MIAMI-DADE
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
RECOMMENDING THE CITY'S POSITION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach supports the restoration of America's
Everglades; and
WHEREAS, the 70 mile two-lane stretch of the Tamiami Trail that links the east
and west coasts of South Florida from Miami to Naples cuts through the heart of the
Everglades, interrupting the natural flow of water to America's most threatened wetlands
wilderness; and
WHEREAS, in order to protect and enhance the natural flow of water to the
Everglades and Florida Bay, the Tamiami Trail, built in 1928, must be transformed into
an environmentally-sound elevated roadway or "skyway" that would allow the
unrestricted flow of water and restoration to Shark River Slough, the central artery of the
Everglades; and
WHEREAS, the proposed II-mile "skyway" would be similar to what has been
built in Louisiana, where visitors to its majestic bayous can proudly view these natural
treasures on elevated highways while imposing minimal impact on water flow and
wildlife movement; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, the Science Coordination Team of the South Florida
Restoration Task Force recommended, in a consensus letter to the Army Corps of
Engineers, that the preferred alternative is to raise the entire II-mile section and stated
that, only by building the "skyway" in the Modified Waters Delivery Project could full
restoratjon be achieved; and
WHEREAS, the II-mile Skyway over the Everglades would provide a
substantial economic benefit to the City of Miami Beach by promoting eco-tourism.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DUL Y RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
Section I: That the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach hereby
urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to choose the preferred environmental
alternative, an II-mile elevated skyway over Tamiami Trail in the Modified Waters
Delivery Project; and
Section 2: That the Miami Beach City Manager is hereby directed to send a letter within
30 days to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommending the II-mile skyway
alternative; and
Section 3: That the City of Miami Beach's representative to the Miami-Dade
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hereby directed to send a letter within 30
days to the MPO endorsing the II-mile skyway.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this firn
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
Robert Parcher
(Requested by Commissioner Matti H. Bower)
APPROVED ft-S TO
FORM & lANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
~~ 6-~f-~
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F:\atto\TURN\RESOS\Skyway Restoring Everglades - Matti Bower.doc
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CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO:
MURRAY H. DUBBIN
CITY ATTORNEY
MATTI H. BOWER ~ -
COMMISSIONER
FROM:
DATE:
June 21, 2005
RE:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING 11 MILE "SKYWAY" FOR
RESTORATION OF EVERGLADES
Please draft a resolution supporting the 11 mile "skyway" for restoration of the Everglades and
include such a resolution on the July 6th Commission meeting.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact my office at ext. 7107.
Thank you.
MHB/dm
Agenda Item ~ q E
Date i-Co -O~
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING 11 MILE "SKYWAY"
FOR RESTORATION OF EVERGLADES
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach supports the restoration of America's Everglades,
and
WHEREAS, the 70 mile two-lane stretch of Tamiami Trail that links the east and west
coasts of South Florida from Miami to Naples cuts through the heart of the Everglades,
interrupting the natural flow of water to America's most threatened wetlands wilderness, and
flow
^
WHEREAS, Miami Beach recognizes that in order to protect and enhance the natural of
water to the Everglades and Florida Bay, the Tamiami Trail, built in 1928, must be transformed
into a modern "skyway," an. environmentally-sound elevated roadway that would allow
unrestricted flow and restoration to Shark River Slough, the central artery of the Everglades, and
WHERAS, the proposed 11-mile "skyway" would be similar to what has been built in
Louisiana, where visitors to its majestic bayous can proudly view these natural treasures on
elevated highways while imposing minimal impact on water flow and wildlife movement, and
WHEREAS, in 2001, the Science Coordination Team of the South Florida Restoration
Task Force recommended in a consensus letter to the Army Corps of Engineers that the
preferred alternative is to raise the entire 11-mile section and stated that only by building the
"skyway" could full restoration be achieved, and
WHEREAS, the 11-mile Skyway over the Everglades would provide a substantial
economic benefit to Miami Beach by promoting eco-tourism.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH:
SECTION 1: That the City of Miami Beach recommends that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
choose the preferred environmental alternative, an 11-mile elevated skyway over Tamiami Trail in
the Modified Waters Delivery Project
SECTION 2: That the City Manager shall send a letter within 30 days to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers recommending the 11-mile Skyway alternative.
SECTION 3: That the City of Miami Beach shall deliver a letter through its representative to the
Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) endorsing the 11-mile skyway.
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Build the Skyway
Build the Skyway
Home
. Modernizing the Trail
Background Information
How You Can Help
Page 1 of 4
MODERNIZING TAMIAMI TRAIL
More than 75 years ago, Miami
businessman James Franklin Jaudon
had a dream-to build a road through
the impenetrable swamp from Tampa
to Miami. His quest took 15 years and
stressed the limits of man and machine.
But in 1928, the road opened to
parades, a caravan of cars and beaming
civic leaders. Today, Jaudon's legacy,
the Tamiami Trail, still provides
passage across the Everglades, but it is
also severely harming one of America's
greatest wetlands.
Let the Water Flow
Tamiami Trail is not just a road. It is
also a dam. Tamiami Trail blocks the
flow of fresh water into Everglades
National Park and the world-class
fisheries of Florida Bay. Scientists say
the solution is to build an elevated
roadway, or "skyway," to restore 98
percent of the natural flow into the
Everglades. This elevated road would
span 11 miles over the Shark River
Slough, the main water passage into
Everglades National Park and Florida
Bay.
Already in Use
Elevating a road is not a new idea. In
Louisiana, highways have been elevated
over wetlands for decades. Interstate 10
provides safe travel and breathtaking
views for travelers while avoiding the
water and wildlife crossing below.
Opportunity is now
http://build-the-skyway .com! _ wsn/page2.html
6/27/2005
Build the Skyway
In 2005, the Everglades can have what
Louisiana has known for years - an
elevated roadway. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers will consider
several options for restoring flow across
Tamiami Trail. They range from a
smaIl3,000-foot span to a fullIl-mile
Skyway. Because their decision can
affect the health of the Everglades
forever, it's important to get it right.
Best for Everglades
The Everglades Skyway is already the
environmentally preferred alternative
of the government agencies. A
committee of federal and state scientists
working on Everglades Restoration has
also endorsed the Skyway. The Federal
Government will hold public hearings
and receive public comment in the
summer of 2005 and issue a final
decision by year's end. Supporters of
the Skyway are not limited to
environmental groups. They cover a
wide range of interests from businesses,
to civic organizations.
Benefit to the Community
The estimated cost of the Everglades
Skyway is less than 3 percent of the $8.4
billion Everglades Restoration project.
Estimated at $250 million, the II-mile
elevated roadway is estimated to
provide a sizeable return on investment
to South Florida for decades. The
project's engineering contracts could
generate a massive infusion of jobs, new
tourism and economic development.
The II-mile elevated roadway is also
the best financial long-term choice of all
the options. The skyway costs $20
million per mile compared to the
estimated $30 million per mile for a 4-
mile bridge or $50 million per mile for a
half-mile span.
http://build-the-skyway . coml_ wsn/page2.html
Page 2 of 4
6/27/2005
Build the Skyway .
Restoration needs a Symbol
The Skyway is not only a vital
restoration project, it is a visual symbol
of America's commitment to restore the
Everglades A recent internal
government memo complained that the
Corps of engineers had nothing to show
for five years of work. An elevated
Skyway could change that downward
spiral. Driving over the Skyway,
visitors lured by international press will
see what restoration is.
The Future
If the Skyway isn't built, the future for
the Everglades is dim. Florida Bay's
health will deteriorate. The landscape
of the Everglades will become an
unrecognizable mass of unconnected
vegetation. Animals and birds will die.
But the same human ingenuity that
built Tamiami Trail can modernize it so
that the Everglades can thrive. Our
children and theirs deserve no less.
I._("~'
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http://build-the-skyway .com! _ wsn/page2.html
Page 3 of 4
6/27/2005
Build the Skyway
Build the Skyway
Home
Modernizing the Trail
. Background Information
How You Can Help
Page 1 of2
Tamiami Trail-the 70-mile, two-lane road that links the
east and west coasts of south Florida from Miami to
Naples-cuts through the heart of the Everglades,
interrupting the natural flow of water to America's most
threatened wetlands wilderness.
In order to protect and enhance the natural flow of water
to the Everglades, the Tamiami Trail, built in 1928, must
be transformed into a modern "skyway": an
environmentally sound elevated roadway. A skyway
would allow unrestricted flow and restoration to Shark
River Slough, the central artery of the Everglades.
The proposed skyway would be similar to what has been
built in Louisiana, where visitors to its majestic bayous
can proudly view these natural treasures on elevated
highways while imposing minimal impact on water flow
and wildlife movement.
Congress approved a $7.8 billion plan to restore and
preserve the Everglades for Floridians and the nation.
The Tamiami Skyway would provide one of the greatest
benefits for water and wildlife in the entire Everglades
restoration plan.
In 2001, the Science Coordination Team of the South
Florida Restoration Task Force recommended in a
consensus letter to Colonel May that the entire 11-mile
section should be raised. They said that only by building
the Skyway could full restoration be achieved.
http://build-the-skyway .com! _ wsn/page3.html
6/27/2005
Build the Skyway
http://build-the-skyway .com! _ wsnJpage3.html
Page 2 of2
6/27/2005
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