Res. No. 229-99-10852RESOLUTION NO.229-99-10852
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,
FLORIDA,STRONGLY URGING THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS,THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
INTERIOR,THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS,THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA
WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO IMMEDIATELY
IMPLEMENT THE 1989 CONGRESSIONAL ACT
INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN DANTE FASCELL TO
PROVIDE FOR MODIFIED WATER DELIVERIES AND TO
INSTRUCT THE ARMY CORPS TO AMEND ITS
EXPERIMENTAL WATER DELIVERIES CRITERIA FOR A
LOWER GROUND WATER TABLE TO BE MAINTAINED
BY THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT
DISTRICT TO AVOID FUTURE FLOODING.
WHEREAS,the City of South Miami and many other South Florida
communities suffered from severe flooding asa result of the rainfall associated
with Hurricane Irene;and
WHEREAS,itis understood this was an unusual rainfall event,which was
aggravatedbythelack of adequatedrainagesystemsandahigh water table;and
WHEREAS,we recognize the importance of maintaining the delicate
balance between groundwater and saltwater andthe need to restore the Everglades;
and
WHEREAS,ithas become obviousthatthe Department of Interior is
requiring theSouth Florida Water Management District to maintain the water in
the canals and underlying water table at unnecessarily high levels;and
WHEREAS,the United StatesCongressin1989 recommended,approved
and funded the Modified Water Delivery Project,which would have solved the
problem of highcanallevels;and
WHEREAS,the United States Department of Interior has essentially
blocked this project so important to providing flood protection for the urban and
agricultural areas of South Florida.
Page 2of Res.#229-99-10852
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA:
Section 1.We call upon the Army Corps of Engineers to amend its
experimental water delivery criteriatoallowfor emergency procedurestobe
implemented by theSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrictduring exceptional
rainfall events in anticipation of flooding.
Section 2.We call upon South Florida Cities,Miami-Dade County,the
SouthFlorida Water Management District,theState of Florida,the Army Corps of
Engineersandthe United States Government to unify efforts toputanendtothe
urbanandagricultural flooding in South Florida.
Section 3.We urgethe President of the Unites States,the Unites States
Congress,the Governor of FloridaandtheFloridaState Legislature to investigate
thefailureto implement the Modified Water Delivery Projectoverthepastten
years,andtoholdthe Army Corps of Engineersandthe United States Department
of theInterioraccountablefortheout of proportionflooding experience associated
with Hurricane Irene in South Florida.
PASSEDANDADOPTEDthis 2ndday of Nrwemhpr ,1999.(As amended)
ATTEST:APPROVED:
CrtT CLERK ~II
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM:
^2=^.6>^ar
CITY ATTORNRNEY
MAYOR
Commission Vote:
Mayor Robaina:
Vice Mayor Russell:
Commissioner Bass:
Commissioner Bethel:
Commissioner Feliu:
5-0
yea
yea
yea
yea
yea
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To:Honorable Mayor Date:October 22,1999
and City Commission
From:Charles D.Scurr a Jj I Subject:Agenda Item #I &
City Manager/^///J (\u#/1 Commission Meeting 11/02/99
The"ModifiedWater Delivery
Plan"
This item was placed onthe Agenda atthe request of Mayor Julio Robaina.