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TURTLE RESEARCH PROPOSAL <br />aoox 453 PA,,,458 <br />Community Development Director King reviewed the following <br />memo recommending approval of the request made by Caretta <br />Research, Inc.: <br />TO: The Honorable Members DATE: April 25, 1983 FILE: <br />of the Board of <br />County Commissioners <br />DIVISION HEAD CONCURRENCE <br />Poo!OBJECT: TURTLE RESEARCH PROPOSAL <br />Patrick Bruce King, I P <br />A <br />THROUGH: Bob Keating,`AICP <br />Planning & Zoning Dept.,Manage <br />FROM: Art Chal acombe, REFERENCES: <br />Environmental Planner <br />It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal <br />consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at their <br />regular meeting on May 4, 1983. <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS <br />During the summer of 1982, Caretta Research, Inc. was hired by. <br />Dock Masters of Ft. Pierce to patrol and relocate turtle eggs <br />on John's Island in conjunction with a beach erosion control <br />program. At that time, it was realized that a formal study <br />should be made concerning the impact of the sand filled nylon <br />bags being placed in turtle nesting grounds. The purpose of <br />the study would be to determine if interference with <br />successful nesting by marine turtles occurs because of the <br />installation of this type of erosion control technique. <br />On April 19, 1983, Indian River County received a letter from <br />Mr. Edward J. Phillips of Caretta Research, Inc. requesting <br />favorable consideration by the Commission to allow initiation <br />of the study and to authorize patrol of the subject beach area <br />with two Honda ATC 90 three -wheeled motor bikes. <br />ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS <br />Upon receipt of the letter from Caretta Research, Inc., staff <br />contacted the Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission, <br />Florida Department of Natural Resources, and the U. S. Fish & <br />Wildlife Service to inquire as to the background of the firm. <br />All three agencies reported that Caretta Research, Inc. was <br />very experienced throughout the State in conducting turtle <br />research. Mr. Ross P. Witham of the Department of Natural <br />Resources stated that utilization of the three -wheeled motor <br />bikes is common practice in marine turtle study and, if the <br />bikes are properly handled, they should not have an adverse <br />effect on the nesting turtle population. <br />101 <br />e <br />