8/23/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OBJECTIVE 6 UPLAND VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES Sufficient upland vegetative communities to maintain viable populations of all native plant and animal species, and representative stands of each habitat type in Indian River County, will be preserved. Commissioner Bird had a question on Policy 6.4 on Page 82. He noted that he is all in favor of acquiring habitat for sea turtles, but is it really necessary to buy property 600' deep from A -1-A to the primary dune and take that off the tax rolls of the county to preserve a place for sea turtles to lay their eggs. He noted that right now sea turtles are laying their eggs along every stretch of the beach. Commissioner Bowman did not feel that is the sole purpose, and Director Keating agreed it is like the manatees, which even though they are primarily concentrated in one area, there are other impacts, i.e., with more development you will get more raccoons in the garbage, and they will wipe out the sea turtle's eggs. Planner DeBlois also felt another aspect of the possible acquisition has to do with additional species which are in that area other than just the sea turtle. Commissioner Bowman advised that she had walked through part of the coastal hammock with an expert, and it has many, many species of flora and fauna. It is a treasure. She felt we don't have enough passive parks in this county, and this could be one. It is actually a living laboratory. Mrs. Offutt later referred back to Policy 6.12 on Page 84 whereby projects of 5 acres or more shall set aside a minimum of 25% of each native plant community which occurs on-site unless such set aside areas would _not _be feasible_ given_ site specific characteristics_ She realized the last phrase had been added, but wondered if this is not an unreasonable request even at that. Director Keating noted that we have minimum open space AUG n eooK 17 77CS'