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SEP 1 BOOK 69•: `?Aft 234 1987 WABASSO BEACH (Supplement to C.A.R.L.'Proposal) Wabasso Beach represents one of the longest stretches of relatively undeveloped, privately owned beachfront property remaining in Florida. Unquestionably, it is one or'the longest such stretches on the Atlantic coast, and statewide may be rivaled only by the Topsail Hill tract on the Gulf Coast. The primary goal of this proposal to protect Wabasso Beach is to assure the continued viability of one of the most important sea turtle nesting populations in the world (see below). Secondarily, the remainder of the tract would protect a large area of coastal strand and maritime hammock habitats and their associated biota, all of which are threatened by the enormous development of Florida's Atlantic coast. Preservation of the site would.• additionallyp'rovide a protective buffer to the marine worm reefs just offshore. Principally through the Save Our Coasts (S.O.C.) program, the state and county governments already own or are pursuing the acquisition of a substantial amount of land (approximately 3/4 mile) within the overall boundaries of this proposal. These ; lands would benefit greatly by the ecological buffer that would be provided by the addition of the remaining undeveloped contiguous lands along this stretch of beach. Commissioner Bird wished to make the point that Indian River Shores has six miles of beach which is all private property, and he believed the turtles may have a better chance of being unmolested there than at public beaches. We are getting the best of both worlds - we have all these great turtle nesting beaches, and we also have some millions of dollars worth of property value on the tax rolls to help carry the freight. In addition, we have a turtle protection ordinance. Chairman Scurlock's only question was that we requested state funds, and you have to set priorities. He just did not want this to affect the priority of something that we may possibly want more than that. Commissioner Wheeler noted that if anyone buys and develops that beachfront property, we will only have further problems with erosion, and if he had to choose, he would choose this over the sand ridge project. Commissioner Bowman did not agree. Commissioner Bird stated that he did not have any problem supporting this request, but just wanted to bring out his point about the private property. Commissioner Bowman was against it, and felt we were saying if the beachfront were privately owned, the turtles would have a better chance. 48