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Robert Reider of 1150 Reef Road wished to read into the record an editorial from the PRESS JOURNAL dated January 25, 1982, entitled " Preserve Jungle Trail as Historic, Scenic Road." Said Editorial is as follows: Editorials 1% r s �Jungle I I U11 v e MON I Wsw A QM0R N ,y yN. :b(c. g n i %-w Jungle Trail is a narrow dirt road that meanders along the eastern edge of the Indian River for several miles south of County Road 510. Tall, ageless trees drape over the roadway. It is a unique spot in the county because its beauty and tranquility are unaffected by man- made improvements. - Jungle Trail was a foot path in the early 1900s. It became a horse path, and then a buggy trail, according to long-time Indian River County residents and local history buffs. To this day, it remains a narrow, dirt road traveled mostly by people who fish along the banks, a few homeowners and workers servicing the citrus groves in the area. This pastoral spot has in- congruously become the center of attention Tecently. A large Florida development company has proposed to install a drawbridge _in the road. It will span a channel the developers want to cut through the trail to the river from a 96 -slip marina. With the news of the proposed marina and drawbridge, many local residents ,have called for the county and state to formally designate it a scenic and historic road. This is not a new effort, conjured up to thwart the Jungle Trail development. For at least 10 years, the formal designation has been requested. In 1972, four residents of the town of Orchid, just north of the trail, requested the Indian River County Commission to declare it a scenic road. An application at the state level for special designation a few years ago was turned down Because the road did not carry a more -than -local historical import. Last week the county's Tran- sportation Planning Committee voted to request the County Com- mission proceed with a scenic designation. The committee members, comprised of representatives from the county and its municipalities, intended for the roadway to retain its natural state. Jungle Trail occupies an im-' portant historic and sentimental place in the minds and hearts of many people newcomers and old- timers, young and old — and not just the conservationists. We join with those who believe its natural beauty should be preserved. We urge the County Commission to officially designate Jungle Trail an historic and scenic trail. Ray Fernald, president of Pelican Island Audubon Society, encouraged the Board to remember that much of this morning's testimony had been geared toward proving a marina would not be degrading to the environment; the Society, however, has experts who will testify otherwise, and he felt it might be necessary to look at other alternatives such as dry storage of boats which would not disrupt the trail. Lomax Gwathmey, of 23 Sea Horse Lane, president of the Vero Beach Civic Association, felt the erosion problem on Jungle Trail can be solved without any help from Florida 29 you 8 PAGF �� d JAN 2 71982