Step to protect Florida coasts from oil exploration

Written by Miami Today on May 12, 2017

Miami-Dade County commissioners gave preliminary approval this week to the concept of Southeast Florida Coastal Ocean task force’s final report and its recommendations to work with others to improve the coastal ecosystem.

The task force was established in 2012 through legislation of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties to coordinate protection of habitats and marine communities at the regional level.

The counties formed an intergovernmental body, with one commissioner from each member county; elected officials; representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and stakeholders representing recreational fishermen, commercial ports, the dive charter industry and the marine industry.

The report includes recommendations related to inter-agency coordination, and protection of coastal resources from any oil exploration off the Florida coast; water quality, beaches, fisheries, coral reefs, management of marine debris; and strategies for technical investigations, policy, planning and projects.

Miami-Dade’s Economic Development and Tourism committee unanimously agreed May 11 to recommend the legislation to the full commission. The resolution was sponsored by Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava.