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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1079 |
| Sponsorship of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (11th ICRS) |
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| Requester: |
Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D. |
Organization: |
Local Organizing Committee 11th ICRS |
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| Project Title: |
Sponsorship of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (11th ICRS) |
Date Submitted |
1/3/2008 2:48:44 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Atwater |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) meeting to be held in Fort Lauderdale in July 2008 will bring more than 2,500 attendees from around the world. This will be the first time in more than 30 years that this international conference has been held in Florida or the mainland U.S. The resulting direct economic impact will be nearly $7 million to the State (formula of the International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus). Florida is home for this nation�s largest amount coral reef ecosystems (published in Rohmann, et al. 2005, Coral Reefs) possessing, for example, nearly ten times the potential coral ecosystem of Hawaii. Florida has an estimated 85% of the nation�s coral reefs. Florida�s coral reefs have been shown (Johns, et al., 2001, Final Report Socioeconomic Study of Reefs of Southeast Florida) to provide $8.5 billion annually to Florida�s four southeastern-most counties. The Symposium will provide Florida with unparalleled opportunities for leadership in coral reef understanding, conservation, and management to ensure the health and survival of this precious resource. |
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| Recipient: |
Nova Southeastern University |
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Contact: |
Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D |
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8000 North Ocean Drive |
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Contact Phone: |
(954) 262-3617 |
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Dania Beach 33004 |
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Contact email: |
dodge@nova.edu |
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| Counties: |
Broward |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Every four years, the world�s top coral reef researchers, resource managers, conservationists, economists, educators, and policy-makers meet together for the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS). The goal for the Symposium is better understanding of coral reef ecosystems and consequently effective conservation and management strategies. The ISRS, the largest society focused on coral reefs worldwide, sanctions the Symposium. In July of 2004 in Okinawa, ISRS awarded the 2008 meeting to the United States and Florida (over competition from Australia and Mexico). Our winning Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was represented by a group of 15 coral reef scientists, educators, and resource managers (90% from Florida). As part of the bid package, letters of endorsement from Governor Jeb Bush and NOAA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Tim Keeney were presented. A significant local contribution has been made by Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide all facilities free of rental charge by the for the 5-day meeting. Expenses for the entire event, including announcements, programs, proceedings, web site, registration and management staff, audio visuals, office supplies, furniture rentals, refreshments, receptions, and cultural entertainment are expected to be over $2.5 million. Income is budgeted to meet expenses and expected to be: 50% from registrations, 25% from federal agency support, 15% from private fundraising, and 10% from Florida. We are requesting $50,000 in 2008-2009 from the State to promote and operate the meeting and for related expenses to be incurred preceding the event. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| The State will directly benefit from output from this meeting. State, county, and federal resource managers with jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems that extending from Jupiter Inlet to Tarpon Springs. They will benefit from the knowledge and management strategies gained and shared at this meeting to develop the world�s best practices aimed at reef knowledge, sustainability, and resilience. Additionally, the opportunity to develop and showcase Florida�s tourism to attendees from such far-away places as Fiji, Marshall Islands, Tahiti, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia as a result of this meeting, will pay dividends for generations to come. With over 2300 abstracts submitted, the 11th ICRS will be the largest International Coral Reef Symposium in ICRS history. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$50,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$250,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private, Federal |
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Cash Amount |
$350,000 |
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In-kind Amount |
$1,160,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2007-2008 |
Amount: |
$100,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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Yes |
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Agency |
Environmental Protection, Department Of |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
Yes |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
No |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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No |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
