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rMAY 25 1983 (OCK Board policy which allowed density transfer to protect wetlands appears to have been effective. The recommended policy may have the effect of triggering additional fill permit applications. 2. The recommended policies generally lack any specific criteria for implementation. 3. Many of the recommended policies are based on perceptions of the subcommittee as opposed to facts. As an example the subcommittee has recommended policies on potable water and wastewater, based on the assumption that package plants are seriously harming the environment. In fact there has been no evidence presented that this is the case. A D.E.R. representative indicated that improperly functioning package plants were environmentally dangerous, a comment supported by the St. Lucie County Barrier Island Study. No other definitive study or statement has been made. As an additional example of this policy formation in lieu of facts, the subcommittee has indicated a need to measure traffic flow and extent of wetlands consistently from one jurisdiction to the next'in order to better understand the dynamics of the island. Since this data has not been converted to a common form, it appears that these policies are premature. _ x,,:587 1 We submit that more data is in fact necessary before final policies are written, that the Board is seeking this data with little cooperation from its most affected neighbors, and that St. Lucie County presently has and will continue to have a better understanding and control of its portion of this island than the Resource Management Committee is likely to have for some time. In summary, this document appears to be a "no growth" policy based on the preference of the majority of subcommittee members. Early indications from our consultants indicate that required traffic improvements may not be possible. If this is the case, then a "no growth" policy may be appropriate. • However, until such time as all facts are in, no final policy should be formulated. The Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County within the past year, has taken the following actions concerning the Barrier Islands, among others: 1. Adopted a moratorium on the consideration of approval of most site plans on the Barrier Islands. 2. Prepared an impact.study of Barrier Island development. 3. Based on the results of the impact study, ,imposed temporary limitations on the consideration and approval of Barrier Island site plans. 4. Commenced a needs analysis as a predicate to adoption of an impact fee ordinance. 5. Drafted and presented to the Florida legislature a bill _creating the St. Lucie County Expressway Authority. 16