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RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners request that the respondent pay a voluntary fine of $13,000.00, and plant twenty-six red mangrove seedlings along the shoreline of the subject property. In the event that the respondent does not agree to the fine and plantings, staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners grant staff the authorization to pursue available remedies in County Court. Chairman Scurlock advised that he encouraged Mr. Christou to come in today and explain what he has done and what he has attempted to do after being notified of the violation. He believed that Mr. Christou is sincere and genuine in his regret and concern over cutting the mangroves, and also believed that Mr. Christou really did not know the difference between a mangrove and a Brazilian pepper tree. Nick Christou expressed his regret at cutting down the mangroves in back of his home, and assured the Board that if he had known.what mangroves were, or the laws pertaining to them, he certainly would not have cut them and would not be in the mess he is right now. He reported that he purchased mangrove seedlings from a firm in Melbourne and has planted 52 seedlings, which is double the number he cut. He followed the planting instructions carefully and feels that they will take root and come back real strong. Commissioner Bird asked if it was likely that the mangroves would ever come back, and Environmental Planner Roland DeBlois explained that the more mature ones probably would come back, and approximately 50% of the ones cut were mature. Commissioner Bowman asked the size of the seedlings, and Mr. Christou advised that they were tuber seedlings. Chairman Scurlock wished to see the Board set a fine of $13,000, but waive $12,000 of that and allow him to pay a fine of $1000, and make sure the planting is a success and, in fact, does reestablish that shoreline. If he refuses to do that, then the 12'� B00F rp��E 105 JUN 2 8 `991