All Lee County commissioners worked together at Lee County Commission today to move forward the water issue here in Southwest Florida. They passed an extension of the original state of emergency.
Democrat Bill Taylor, one of the candidates running for Lee County commission, speaking out on the algae crisis says:
“Our elected officials need to be doing everything they possibly can to convince the state to purchase the land south of Lake Okeechobee in order to send the water south. We can no longer afford to have polluted toxic water forced down our river killing our wildlife and feeding the red tide off our coast. This is a failure of our government of epic proportions. This is a fight for our jobs, our environment and quality of life. It is a fight that must be fought even after the rainy season ends. “
The extension approves a state of local emergency for clean up of dead fish and marine life caused by Red Tide.
I. MOTION REQUESTED
- Adopt a resolution declaring a State of Local Emergency, effective immediately, for all unincorporated and incorporated areas within the local boundaries of Lee County, Florida;
- Authorize staff to waive Procurement Procedures in order to commence clean up of Lee County river, inland lakes and beaches;
- Ratify all actions taken to date regarding the clean up.
II. ITEM SUMMARY
- Allows for the clean up of Lee County beaches littered with decaying fish and other marine life.
III. BACKGROUND AND IMPLICATIONS OF ACTION
- Board Action and Other History An increase in the amount and duration of Red Tide has caused a large number of fish and marine life to wash up dead on Lee County river, inland lakes and beaches. Decaying fish and other marine life litter beaches and waterways causing an odor and further deplete water quality.
Florida Statutes Section 252.38(3)(a)(5) provides authority for a political subdivision to declare a State of Local Emergency in order to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
The Board finds that a State of Local Emergency exists and takes action to protect and safeguard the health and welfare of the citizens of Lee County.
