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=I <br />PELICAN ISLAND <br />P. 0. <br />VERO BEACH, <br />AUDUBON SOCIETY <br />Box 1833 <br />FLORIDA 32960 <br />5 October 1981 <br />A STATEMENT TO THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSION REGARDING <br />THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND -USE PLAN <br />Pelican Island Audubon Society joins with other residents of Indian <br />River County who believe that planned or allowable increases in this <br />County's population should fit within a framework of services, currently <br />available, or which may readily be made available at affordable tax rates. <br />We agree that such services, and the estimated tax increases entailed, <br />should be predetermined through studies conducted by experts in the <br />fields of environmental resources management; potable water supply; <br />waste water management; transportation; disaster planning; demographics; <br />and fire, po-lice, and health services. We believe that in-depth planning <br />is required to maintain the life style of this county, one that is <br />unique on this coast of Florida. <br />Pelican Island Audubon Society is not opposed to a well-planned and <br />orderly growth pattern which can be readily assimilated into this life <br />style. We are, however, unalterably opposed to growth via haphazard <br />planning and the setting of unrealistic and uncontrolled goals, with no <br />regard for availability or affordability of required services. <br />Therefore, we endorse the reduction of maximum dwelling unit densities, <br />as proposed by the Vero Beach Civic Association, as an interim measure <br />until the Future Land Use Plan is revised to reflect the desires of the <br />residents of Indian River County as expressed in a referendum on future <br />population, and further adjusted to accommodate the findings and recommendations <br />of public service -related studies as outlined above. <br />Regarding preservation of the natural resources of Indian River <br />County including surface and ground waters, wetlands,k unique or endangered <br />uplands, and fish and wildlife populations, we offer the following <br />comments. <br />The Comprehensive Plan recognizes the value of these resources and <br />adopts an attitude of conservation, but we fear it falls short of implementing <br />that committment. The Plan is essentially dependent on regional, State, <br />and Federal agencies for resource inventory, land acquisition, and <br />regulatory functions. We believe it is the County's responsibility to <br />take this lead role in protecting our environment. <br />OCT 9 <br />8m 47 FAr,F% <br />