2007-2008 Budget strengthens protection for FLORIDA’S oceans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2007
CONTACT: Sarah Williams, (850) 245-2112 or (850) 519-2897

--Budget includes $5.2 million for coastal projects--

TALLAHASSEE – In the newly passed Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget, the Florida Legislature appropriated $5.2 million to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to increase protection for Florida’s marine resources. The appropriations include $3.2 million for the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council and $2 million for the Osborne Reef tire removal project.

“We appreciate the support of Governor Crist, Lt. Governor Kottkamp and the Florida Legislature in expanding environmental protection for our state by providing more than $5 million to protect this state’s oceans,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “This commitment will ensure that Florida remains a leader in managing ocean and coastal ecosystems.”

The Florida Legislature set aside $3.2 million for the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council, a group established by the Legislature in 2005 to develop priorities for ocean and coastal research and establish a statewide ocean research plan.  The research plan will focus on water quality research, ocean and coastal systems research and tools and technology research.

Priorities will include:

• Real-time statewide information that guides water quality management, navigation and hazard response, and marine resource management. 
• Monitoring programs that relate nutrients and living resources to human activities, to provide cost effective resource management programs improving oceans and human health.
• Map and characterize the seafloor and coast, including the distribution and abundance patterns of coastal marine organisms.
• Understand linkages between ocean and coastal habitats and the living marine resources that they support.
• Evaluate, improve and implement more effective strategies for protecting and restoring ocean and coastal habitats.
• Develop integrated coastal and ocean observing systems and integrated data management and prediction programs.

“Protecting Florida’s marine resources requires accurate assessment, continuous monitoring, and real-time ability to predict changes to the physical, chemical, biological, geological, and socioeconomic components of our marine ecosystems.  It also requires a fully-integrated information handling system to allow resource managers to use science-based data in decision making,” said Stephanie Bailenson, Director of DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas.  “This funding, along with the Council’s ocean research plan, will enable us to increase knowledge and protection of our coastal waters.”

The remaining $2 million is dedicated to the project removing waste tires from the Osborne Reef off the coast of Broward County.  This innovative project combines support from local, state and federal agencies to remove and recycle or dispose of tires from the artificial reef.  Approximately two million tires covering 34 acres were placed in 60-70 feet deep water about 1.3 miles off the beach of Ft. Lauderdale in the 1970s to create artificial reefs.  Under the direction of Broward County, the U.S. Navy will dive to recover tires and DEP will explore available recycling opportunities for tires, including being used as fuel for power plants.

With the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, Florida is home to 41 aquatic preserves, three of the nation’s National Estuarine Research Reserves and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest underwater protected areas in the world. Drawing more than 29 million visitors each year, Florida’s clear waters, world-class beaches and stunning coral reefs support a $402 billion ocean and coastal economy, which includes a $53 billion tourism industry, a $14 billion marine industry and a fishing industry that brings more than $8.5 billion a year into Florida’s communities.

For more information about Florida’s marine protection efforts, visit www.dep.state.fl.us <http://www.dep.state.fl.us/>