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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA AGENDA ITEM Assistant County Administrator / Department of General Services Date: June 26, 2017 To: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Thru: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator Thru: Michael C. Zito, Assistant County Administrator. From: Beth Powell, Conservation Lands Manager INFORMATIONAL ITEM 7-g Subject: Notice of Application for Division of Historic Resources Special Category Grant for the Kroegel Homestead Conservation Area DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS: The Kroegel Homestead Conservation Area was purchased in 2004 by Indian River County with grant funding provided by the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). The 2.61 acre Rodney Kroegel parcel contains the remnants of structures that belonged to a son of Paul Kroegel, first warden of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the nation's first NWR (established in 1903). In large part due to the efforts of Paul Kroegel, President Teddy Roosevelt established the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in 1903, marking the beginning of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's largest and most diverse assemblage of lands for wildlife. The project is adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon, an estuary of National significance, and is an integral part of the Pelican Island .National Wildlife Refuge, which is located directly east of the Kroegel Homestead. The purpose of the project is to preserve and open to the public the Homestead, which is of state and national significance in "completing the story" of the natural and cultural heritage of the federal refuge system and of the nationally significant Indian River Lagoon. Per the management plan, public access improvements will be designed to preserve the natural and cultural integrity of resources on the property. In order to leverage funding and maximize . cost effectiveness .for management and improvements to conservation areas, staff continues to seek funding through various applicable grants. The Division of Historical Resources Special Categories Grant provides matching funds to provide renovation, reconstruction, education and public access to historically significant sites. THE PROJECT: This grant application centers on the historical structures located on the conservation area. There. are five structures which include a large barn, garage/office, shed, photo darkroom and animal pen. The large barn is currently stable and houses many artifacts that have yet to be inventoried. The barn is not included at this time for renovation/stabilization and will be considered under a separate proposal. In order to further the management objectives of providing for public access, the garage/office, shed, photo darkroom and animal pen will be evaluated and reconstructed. Due to the age and condition of the structures, they are beyond the scope of renovation. Under the scope CAUsers\GRANIC-1 \AppDataU.ocal\Temp\BCL Technologies\easyPDF 7\@BCL@5C05B8F I \@BCL@5C05B8F 1.doc P5