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<br />'SEP 141981
<br />Boom ._
<br />the project situ occudies the westerr Portion ur a 639 acre impoundment
<br />"hich was construLted in US via placeuuht, of a dile at the edge of
<br />?pen Wher along the river. This impounOnd Se herbaceous salt marsh,
<br />salt ponds, tidal creeks, tidal iii tc:hes, dud areas of mangrove growth,
<br />clocking sheetflow into the river and tidewater access into the impoundment.
<br />The site is now vegetated with a Ma cure red mangrove forest with a 25 to
<br />30 foot canopy. Approximately erne -fourth of the site is shallow open
<br />water area within the forest.
<br />Although the Indian River -marsh waterho me nutrient exchange has
<br />igen blocked by Spoundment and the vegetative diversity of the site has
<br />Dien reduced, it still has considerable value as a fish and wildlife
<br />Mabi tat, In fact, when such areas are impounued only during the mosquito
<br />-ceding season and dowater•ed with t.iSI exchange via culverts during
<br />the cooler months, Choy become highly pr•c uct.ive units of the estuarine
<br />scosystem.
<br />Large populations of resident and MK-Aury birds utilize this and
<br />er impoundments adjacent to the Indian Viver for feeding, nesting,
<br />rnd loafing, Nesting species include the careen heron;, common gallinule,
<br />ileaied woodpecker, red -bellied wocdpuclar, great -crested flycatcher,
<br />prairie warbler, and cardinal. The heroun, egrets, white ibis, wood
<br />srork (endangered), and other resident watar birds are commonly observed,
<br />in these areas. Migratory waterSial AM On the open water areas within
<br />his inPoundwent, especially AmeriLan Wigi n, blue -winged teal, green -
<br />090d teal, and r,nrc:rican coot. This par'L-cular impuund lenL is also
<br />L r i 1 i zed by the endangered peregr r nrr t a l c oo during Kv winter months.
<br />(""Yon Mammals include_ river otter alit:, on We dikes, raccoon, bobcat,
<br />tl ,rsh rabbit, acid various rodents. The principal forage fishes within
<br />tars impoundment are urosquitofish and- sal s i in molly while the top carnivores
<br />are tarpon and snook.
<br />Completion of this project as proposed would destroy this tract's
<br />waLue as wetland habitat and eliminate the potential for improved ecosystem
<br />function through management. The area waL historically a salt marsh
<br />with certain wetland values and is now a mangrove forest with different,
<br />bun equally defineable values. Any attempt to objectively classify one a�
<br />bystem as superior to the other is both difficult and academic, for
<br />although the removal of the dikes may be cesirable in certain cases, the
<br />tlawan population will never again tolerate the hordes of saltmarsh
<br />m—squitoes these areas produce in their natural state. With enlightened
<br />"Anagene:nt, mosquito control impoundments provide good mosquito control,
<br />�.,tland wildlife habitat, and seasonal exchange of nutrients and biota
<br />th the adjacent estuary. The value of these wetlands makes them
<br />j >oitable for development, and we recommend against the issuance of
<br />Pis permit.
<br />hledwe call if are car„ he of furLhi , dgnintan o,
<br />. 1 nCt'► c� , ; ,
<br />r.•ulunc'I uf.f�l't M. l,rantly �
<br />EAPLUBW hirectnr•
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