2010-252A (17) - Laserfiche WebLink

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➢ Water Bodies and Floodplains In Indian River County, naturally occurring freshwater streams are limited to the St. Sebastian River in the northern part of the county and several less defined sloughs and creeks in the western part of the county draining into the St. Johns Marsh. The estuarine system includes the Indian River Lagoon and associated wetlands. Besides those waterbodies, the county also has 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach. In addition to providing ecological and aesthetic resources, those areas are among those most prone to flooding. Currently, Indian River County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP provides the county with Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) which depict the various flood zones within the county. Two categories of zones are of special concern: those within the 100 year flood plain and those in velocity zones (subject to wave action). Figure 2.23 depicts the areas within the county that are subject to flooding using National Flood Insurance criteria. Those areas in the eastern portion of the county subject to flooding include most of the barrier island, the areas of the mainland abutting the Indian River (mostly estuarine wetlands), the St. Sebastian River wetlands, the drainage areas along I-95 in the northern part of the county, and a large portion of the south county between I-95 and 58th Avenue. In addition to limiting development within areas prone to flooding, county comprehensive plan policies should require that development in flood prone areas be consistent with NFIP standards. Despite being flood prone, areas along natural bodies of water are attractive for residential development, primarily for aesthetic and recreational reasons. Those areas are also likely to contain important ecological habitats. For those reasons, county comprehensive plan policies should limit development in those areas to only low density residential uses, while directing all other development to adjacent uplands. ➢ Woodlands Throughout the county, forest and woodlands are scattered in bands along the ridges and in the westernmost part of the county. Having no commercial value at this time, those woodlands serve as green areas and wildlife habitat. Compared to other natural areas, woodlands generally have fewer development constraints. The exception, however, is Xeric Scrub. That habitat is rare and supports several protected species of plants and animals. In the future, the county's policy should be to protect environmentally sensitive lands by limiting building densities, by requiring set - asides (or conservation areas), and by permitting the transfer of development rights. Depicted on Figure 2.28, wooded areas are discussed in greater detail in the Conservation Element. Future Land Use Element 83