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further stated that this is not wilderness - it is junk wetlands. <br />Mr. Clark explained that the developer plans to incorporate his <br />plans for a marina into a functioning system of wetlands that <br />will connect to the river and improve fishing and habitat, and if <br />he did not believe this, he would not stake his reputation as a <br />conservationist on this project. He did believe this project is <br />an exceptional opportunity for the county and will add a great <br />deal of positive environmental benefit. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked whether Mr. Clark works for the <br />developer or serves on a committee, and Mr. Clark stated that he <br />is paid by the developer. <br />Bob Snyder, Professional Engineer, reviewed the existing <br />conditions in more detail, referring to a chart made up from <br />aerial photos and topos. He noted that one thing all wetlands <br />documentation always stresses is the importance of the aesthetic <br />qualities of wetlands. Mr Snyder referred to studies which <br />demonstrate the compatibility of marinas and wetlands. He <br />confirmed that the strip along the river's edge, shown as dark <br />green on the chart, is functioning; it is connected to the river; <br />the shoreline is in excellent shape; and they do feel it is worth <br />preserving. The shoreline to the north around the entire basin <br />was never finished; even the shoreline on the river has been <br />impacted and is vegetated with Brazilian pepper and Australian <br />pine, and that they intend to mitigate into fully functional <br />condition. The area shown as pale green is the least impacted of <br />the historical wetlands. They have not been able to find out <br />when it was isolated, but the sea level has been rising for <br />some time and the tidal range is quite small; so it is impossible <br />to say if this were reconnected and nothing else done what would <br />result. The yellow area is actually abandoned agricultural <br />lands, and they do not consider that a rehabitable piece of <br />land; it is a series of fairly deep ditches with a mixture of <br />vegetation on the banks. They would hope to use all that plant <br />material in reestablishment of some of the other areas. Mr. <br />73 <br />OCT 3 1985 GE 522 <br />