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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element <br />In Indian River County, certain wetland issues warrant particular attention. For example, small, <br />isolated wetland systems located in the developing eastern portion of the county and in areas of <br />agricultural development are most susceptible to adverse impacts. Many of these wetlands are on <br />lands surrounded by urban development, and these wetlands have been impacted directly by filling or <br />indirectly through drainage pattern changes, pollution, and/or invasion by nuisance exotic species. <br />Questions arise as to the functional values of these isolated wetlands, and the benefits of preserving <br />them in light of impending encroachment. As population growth and development continues, <br />especially east of Interstate 95, pressure will inevitably be put on the natural functions of wetlands. <br />The County's policy should be to continue to require that developers avoid impacts to wetlands and <br />require that developers obtain jurisdictional agency wetland permits and mitigate such impacts where <br />wetland impact avoidance is not practicable. <br />Wetland Conservation Easements <br />Since 1990, approximately 1,723 acres of wetlands have been preserved under conservation <br />easements. Listed below in Table 8.12 are the total acreages of each type of wetland community that <br />has been preserved through conservation easements. Recorded conservation easements ensure that <br />the wetlands subject to those easements are legally protected from future development. Going <br />forward, the County should continue to require conservation easements on preserved, enhanced <br />and/or created wetlands associated with new development projects. <br />TABLE 8.12 <br />WETLAND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HELD BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY <br />(August 2009) <br />Wetland Community Type Acreage <br />Freshwater Wetlands 1,241 <br />Estuarine Wetlands 482 <br />TOTAL 1,723 <br />Public Acquisition of Wetlands <br />Since -1992, the County has acquired approximately 3,100 acres of palustrine and estuarine wetlands <br />through its Environmental Lands Program. In contrast to conserved wetlands on private property, <br />public acquisition of wetlands affords compatible public access and recreational use of such <br />wetlands. The County's policy should be to continue to acquire wetlands for conservation, when <br />funding is available, but only wetlands that are not otherwise protected under easements. <br />Community Development Department Indian River County 106 <br />