The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners today approved two important resolutions advocating for environmental programs in Florida.  The first resolution urges support for the Florida Forever Program and asks the Florida Legislature to reinstate funding for the Program in the amount of $15 million in the 2010-2011 state budget. The $15 million would enable $300 million in Florida Forever bonds to restart important conservation land purchases. This is in line with the bipartisan effort of four former Florida Governors, who are jointly calling on the Legislature to approve this funding in the upcoming year. Read the Florida Forever resolution.

Miami-Dade County also approved an important resolution supporting the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) with specific mention of the C-111 Spreader Canal and Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands restoration projects in Miami-Dade. The resolution urges authorization of these two key projects by the U.S. Congress, and asks the Florida Legislature to fully fund the CERP program. Read the Everglades restoration resolution.

We are thankful for Miami-Dade County’s support of these important programs and their work to help protect and restore Florida’s unique natural treasures.  Special thanks go out to Commissioners Sorenson, Heyman, Sosa and Jordan for sponsoring the resolutions.