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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element <br />Generally, though, a minimum of 10-15 acres should be set aside for areas intended as botanical <br />preserves, 15-30 acres per territory for Florida scrub -jay preserves, and 50 acres for scrub community <br />preserves to provide for rotational controlled burns. Prescribed burning, a controversial management <br />issue, is discussed under the "Conservation and Recreational Use of Natural Resources" section of <br />this Element. <br />Since 1992, Indian River County, with funding assistance from the state's P2000 and Florida Forever <br />land acquisition programs, has acquired or contributed to the acquisition of lands containing <br />approximately 653 acres of xeric scrub. Large acquisitions include: The Carson Platt Estate <br />quadrant of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, the North Sebastian Conservation Area and <br />the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area. <br />Other publicly owned lands containing scrub communities include: the Sebastian Scrub <br />Conservation Area; Donald McDonald Park; South County Park; the Sebastian Municipal Airport <br />site; the Vero Beach Municipal Airport site; the Winter Beach landfill transfer station; and Sandridge <br />Golf Course. Located on the St. Sebastian River, Boy Scout Camp Oklawaha, a privately -owned <br />tract containing scrub habitat, is considered protected from immediate development. The generalized <br />locations of Xeric Scrub communities in Indian River County are depicted in Figure 8.15. <br />South Florida Flatwoods <br />The South Florida flatwoods ecological community occurs throughout south and central Florida, and <br />covers a substantial portion of Indian River County. Flatwoods, as the name suggests, occur on <br />nearly level land. While individual communities may comprise several thousand acres, flatwoods are <br />typically interspersed with smaller communities of other types, especially wetlands. Within <br />flatwoods, water movement is gradual to the natural drainageways, swamps, marshes, and ponds <br />associated with this community. <br />Community Development Department Indian River County 46 <br />