SARGASSUM HOT SPOTS

Board of County Commissioners · 2026-07-21 · resolution

The Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution R-690-26, directing the County Mayor or designee to coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to seek modification of Field Permit No. 8042676-DA, related to mechanical beach cleaning, to grant the County discretion to select additional sargassum hot spots within the permit's scope, as needed and whenever feasible, without requiring further FDEP approvals. The resolution was introduced on 7/7/2026, forwarded with a favorable recommendation by the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee on 7/14/2026, and adopted on 7/21/2026. The permit currently authorizes mechanical removal of sargassum at specified locations: between FDEP Monuments DA R-095 to DA R-101 (Crandon Park), DA R-074 to DA R-072 (Miami Beach Government Cut to 3rd Street), DA R-063 to DA R-061 (Miami Beach 22nd Street to 26th Street), DA R-061 to DA R-059 (Miami Beach 26th Street to 32nd Street), DA R-028 to DA R-27 (Bal Harbour Pier), and DA R-026 (Haulover Jetty). The County's Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department maintains 17 miles of County beaches. Sponsors include Micky Steinberg (Prime Sponsor), Natalie Milian Orbis, Raquel A. Regalado, and Anthony Rodriguez (Co-Sponsors). Chairman Rodriguez asked to be listed as a co-prime sponsor, and Commissioner Milian Orbis asked to be listed as a co-sponsor. No public comment or stakeholder sentiment is stated in the document.