Agenda Item Name:
Title
Redefining the Role/Mission of the Joint Water Policy Committee
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Presenter:
Chris Bird and Stacie Greco, EPD
Description:
This is a response to a Board request the existing "Joint City/County Water Policy Committee" be renamed to "Joint City/County Climate and Water Policy Committee" to better coordinate local climate change and water policies and practices.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Direct City and County staff to return to their respective Boards with any instruments necessary to establish a Joint City/County Climate and Water Policy Committee.
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Prior Board Motions:
On January 14, 2020 the BoCC voted to request the Joint City/County Water Policy Committee expand its purpose to include climate change policy.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
None
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Background:
An emerging local concern is preparing and planning for climate change. Forecasts for North Central Florida suggest that we can expect more frequent and extreme flooding and drought. To adapt to these more extreme weather events, our local adaptation framework is going to require us to continue to protect our drinking water, watersheds, wetlands, and natural resources through the continued support of our land conservation programs and strong local regulations and further strengthening and development of collaborative planning efforts. The expanded roles of the Joint City/County Climate and Water Policy committee will better position us locally to strategically identify policy implications and opportunities for intergovernmental and regional collaboration.
The Joint City/County Water Policy Committee was reinstated on April 13, 2015 with Commissioners Cornell and Pinkoson from Alachua County and Commissioners Warren and Carter from the City of Gainesville. Alachua County Environmental Protection Department staffed the committee, while Commissioner Cornell served as the Chair until February 6, 2017. GRU is currently serving as ...
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