The Pasco County Commission on Dec. 11 signed the memorandum of understanding to be part of the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition.
The coalition has been formed to coordinate climate adaptation and mitigation activities across county lines to plan for economic and social disruptions that are projected to result from sea-level rise and storm surge, and to provide state and local agencies with access to technical assistance and support.
The coalition is made up of the counties of Citrus, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota, and the municipalities within those jurisdictions.
The memorandum of understanding notes that Tampa Bay has approximately 4 million residents, representing nearly one-fifth of Florida’s population, and is projected to have nearly 5 million residents by 2040.
The memo also notes the numerous ways that sea-level rise, storm surge and extreme weather conditions can threaten the lives of residents, damage property, disrupt business and destroy public infrastructure.
Coalition members have joined to coordinate their efforts and enhance their abilities to prepare, adapt and mitigate for the effects of sea-level rise, storm surge and climate change, both in their individual communities and throughout the Tampa Bay region.
Through the governing boards of coalition members, the coalition will pursue:
- Regional cooperation
- A regional resiliency action plan
- Science-based decisions
- A legislative strategy
- Community involvement
The memorandum also notes that by joining the coalition that members commit local resources and staffing, and acknowledge that the governing body of each coalition member retains its power and authority.
Published December 19, 2018
