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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element For the State as a whole, the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) maintains a list of invasive exotic plants found in Florida. The EPPC classifies invasive exotic plants as Category I invasives when such plants are known to alter native plant communities by displacing native species, by changing community structures or ecological functions, or by hybridizing with natives. Category II invasive exotics are plants that have increased in abundance or frequency in natural areas but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become Category I if ecological damage is demonstrated. Since 1990, the County's upland habitat protection ordinance has contained requirements that certain nuisance exotic vegetation, including Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and melaleuca, be removed from development sites. In 2007, the County's landscape ordinance was revised to require that, in all new developments or redevelopments, all invasive exotic plants listed by the FLEPPC as Category I plants be removed from development sites. In the future, the County should continue its policy to require that nuisance exotic plants be removed from development sites and to require that such sites be maintained free of nuisance exotic plants. • Recommendations of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast In 2005, the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC) adopted recommendations to sustain quality natural systems in the region. Action steps recommended in the CSTC's final report include: o Identifying funding sources and supporting funding for implementation of the IRI, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan; o Identifying and implementing strategies to protect a regional network of connected natural systems; o Implementing programs to regionalize wastewater treatment and move away from reliance on septic systems where they are not appropriate; o Developing a comprehensive regional approach to ensure that air quality in the Treasure Coast remains high; and o Using innovative tools, such as land acquisition, development clustering requirements, conservation easements, transfer of development rights, and mitigation banks to conserve natural systems. Going forward, the County should adopt policies in its comprehensive plan to reflect CSTC's recommendations as they apply to natural systems in Indian River County. Community Development Department Indian River County 117