MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Ryan, Janus, Peranich, Fredericks, Simpson, Barnett (116th), Ishee, Dedeaux, Guice

House Resolution 20

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION URGING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO ISSUE THE PUBLIC TRUST FOR TIDELANDS LEASES NECESSARY TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSED MULTI-CASINO DEVELOPMENT AT THE BROADWATER MARINA SITE. 

WHEREAS, the Public Trust for Tidelands, since statehood in 1817, has held lands that are the property of all the citizens of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Secretary of State, as trustee of the Public Trust for Tidelands, has broad authority and discretion over the management and leasing of such lands; and

WHEREAS, the Secretary of State properly has taken a conservative approach to the development of the Public Trust for Tidelands; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives supports the Secretary of State's policy of making absolutely certain that any development on the Public Trust for Tidelands must not adversely affect the survival of Keesler Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives supports the Secretary of State's policy of caution concerning the filling of new lands in the Mississippi Sound and alteration of the publicly funded sand beach for commercial purposes; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives believes that any changes in or exceptions to the Secretary of State's policies

concerning new fill and the sand beach should be made on a case-by-case basis, only after thorough consideration, balancing the economic development of the Gulf Coast with the preservation of the natural environment and the tourism industry, and also should take into account the financial viability and impact of any proposed project to be located on Public Trust for Tidelands property; and

WHEREAS, the property commonly known as the Broadwater Marina site is unique in character and configuration on the Gulf Coast in that there has existed at the site, for at least four decades, approximately 18 acres of artificially created fill used for private commercial purposes which has bifurcated the sand beach; and

WHEREAS, the proposed multi-casino development at the Broadwater Marina site in Biloxi, if carried out to a successful completion, will result in an investment of more than Two Billion Dollars in Mississippi and the creation of 25,000 new jobs on the Gulf Coast, will aid significantly in making the Gulf Coast a major national and international tourist attraction, and could substantially increase the assets of the trust:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, As the duly elected representatives of the beneficiaries of the trust, that we do hereby urge the Secretary of State, if in his opinion the proposed multi-casino development project at the Broadwater Marina site is financially sound and viable and otherwise protects and promotes the interests of the citizens of Mississippi, to issue the Public Trust for Tidelands leases and/or other agreements necessary to allow this project to be constructed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Secretary of State and the Capitol Press Corps.