HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 13-210 RESOLUTION NO.13-210
WHEREAS, Texans cherish our shared coastal heritage and recognize that
protecting and restoring coastal natural resources is essential to sustaining our state
economy and our way of life; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas Gulf coast generates more than $17 billion in tourism
activity every year by drawing visitors to our world famous birding and hunting areas,
bountiful fishing grounds and enchanting coastal towns; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas Gulf coast is home to robust commercial and recreational
fishing industries that together support over 23,000 jobs and generate more than $4
billion in revenue each year, enriching coastal economies while providing Americans
with access to fresh, safe seafood and world-class angling opportunities; and,
WHEREAS, Texas barrier islands and coastal wetlands are experiencing
significant erosion, which affects public beach access and fishery productivity; and,
WHEREAS, our bays, estuaries and wetlands are increasingly deprived of the
freshwater inflows needed to ensure their sustained diversity, functionality and
productivity; and,
WHEREAS, it is in our power to reduce these threats to our state's coastal
ecosystem and the economic drivers it supports by prioritizing natural resource
protection and restoration projects that include securing freshwater inflows, restoring
oyster reefs, improving coastal habitat and water quality, protecting our shorelines from
erosion, investing in sustainable fisheries management, protecting vulnerable and
endangered marine species, and enhancing research and monitoring on critical
ecosystems and species; and,
WHEREAS, the RESTORE Act presents Texans with an unprecedented
opportunity to make a significant investment in protecting, restoring and sustaining the
Texas coast and its economic vitality for current and future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the statements and findings set out in the preamble of this resolution are hereby,
in all things, approved and adopted; and,
THAT we respectfully urge Governor Rick Perry to make the protection and
restoration of our precious natural resources on the Texas Gulf Coast region a high
priority for the state's use of RESTORE Act funds.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 24th day of
September, 2013.
(.11ayor-Becky Kmes -
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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