2010-252A (09) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element In 2007, the status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), was changed from endangered to threatened, while the gopher tortoise was upgraded from a state -listed species of special concern to a threatened species in 2008. o Florida Scrub -Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) In March 2000, Indian River County, in coordination with the City of Sebastian, adopted a Sebastian Area -Wide Florida Scrub -Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The HCP allows the construction of homes on platted single-family lots in the Sebastian Highlands; in exchange, Indian River County agreed to manage county -owned scrub conservation lands to maximize scrub jay habitat. In 2006,15 scrub jay families were documented within the HCP area. o Manatee Protection Plan Indian River County adopted the Indian River County Manatee Protection and Boating Comprehensive Management Plan (MPP) in 2000. The purpose of the MPP is to establish a strategy that equitably balances manatee protection, habitat protection, and boating safety with recreational and commercial marine interests. The MPP identifies "high use" manatee areas within the Indian River Lagoon, taking such areas into account in regulating the location new boating facilities as well as the expansion of existing boating facilities. Based on the level of manatee use identified in the MPP, boating speed zones were established throughout the Indian River Lagoon. The speed zones range from "no maximum speed" in low manatee use areas to "no wake zones" in high use areas. To ensure that recreational and commercial watercraft are in compliance with speed zone regulations, the FWC regularly patrols the Indian River Lagoon. The MPP also establishes siting criteria for locating marinas and docks and protects habitats vital to manatee survival in the lagoon. Since MPP adoption, the average manatee mortality rate has been 6.8. Prior to MPP adoption, the percentage of manatee deaths caused by watercraft collision, the greatest single cause of manatee mortality, averaged 1 per year, while watercraft mortality has averaged 2 per year post MPP adoption. o Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan In 2005, Indian River County adopted a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for sea turtles. The focus of "the sea turtle HCP is to manage the impacts of sand renourishment and shoreline armoring on federally protected sea turtles nesting on County beaches. Prior to adoption of the Sea Turtle HCP, there were no comprehensive data collected regarding sea turtle nesting on county beaches. Community Development Department Indian River County 37