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Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element St. Sebastian River and Associated Wetlands The South Prong of the St. Sebastian River, which extends from approximately C.R. 510 (85th Street) to the IRL at Sebastian Inlet, has deepwater covering approximately 500 acres. The river is a freshwater riverine system in its upper reaches and becomes an estuarine subtidal system as it approaches the IRL. As briefly described in the "surface water" portion of this element, the St. Sebastian River plays host to transient fish normally associated with estuarine systems. While the upper reaches of the South Prong are freshwater, marine fish such as mullet, spot, lady fish, tarpon, and snook nurse in the river and have been found as far up the creek as the C.R. 512 over -pass. The four species of tropical marine fish that inhabit the St. Sebastian River that are considered rare in Florida waters include the opposum pipefish, river goby, slashcheek goby, and the bigmouth sleeper. River otters, alligators, and a variety of wading birds are often present on the St. Sebastian River. The river also provides "ecotone" or edge between upland ecological communities, wetlands, and deepwater, resulting in a diversity of flora and fauna. Fauna, such as osprey, river otter, and bald eagle, that thrive on a balance of upland habitat and water access, benefit from the association. Also, manatees frequent the St. Sebastian River and can be found in substantial numbers year round. A report by the federal Marine Mammal Commission identifies the St. Sebastian River as an important manatee habitat for feeding, resting, cavorting, and freshwater access purposes. The Indian River Lagoon and Associated Estuarine Wetlands Unimpounded and impounded estuarine wetlands associated with the IRL are listed in Table 8.5 and graphically depicted in Figure 8.19. While the majority of unimpounded estuarine wetlands occur on the mainland side of the IRL, several large unimpounded wetlands exist on the barrier island near the Town of Orchid and near the Indian River -St. Lucie County line. Unimpounded estuarine wetlands also occur on islands located throughout the IRL. The largest areas of unimpounded estuarine marsh are located on Horseshoe Island (173 acres) and the southern portion of Pine Island (107 acres). The Winter Beach Marsh, the largest unimpounded estuarine wetland on the mainland, comprises 100 acres. Community Development Department Indian River County 56