9/29/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I SSP 2 9 199? BOOK 87 FACE 723 vegetation, but the main objective is to work toward a Habitat Conservation Plan with the land acquisition program. That will contribute substantially to alleviate some of the regulatory concerns on private land. Commissioner Bird was concerned about putting the County in the position of middle man between the property owner and the federal agencies. He did not want to be put in the position where we must tell a property owner that in order to get a County permit they must satisfy whatever requirements the Fish and Wildlife Service may impose. Mr. Deblois explained that we do not issue land clearing permits, but there may be a question of County liability in issuing a building permit on these cleared properties. Commissioner Tippin felt that writing a letter to each property owner would do more to save scrub jays. Vice Chairman Bowman stated that the only way to save scrub jays is to buy at least 80 to 100 acres of solid scrub and in -that way we would save all the other animals that are indigenous to *that habitat as well. Mr. DeBlois stated that we are focussing on scrub jays because they are the headline species right now, but this ordinance is directed to endangered species that may occur in future years that have not been surveyed yet, and this is a mechanism for review coordination. Nancy Offutt responded that Mr. DeBloisf last remark is exactly the point her organization is trying to make. Today we are talking about scrub jays, then it will be eagles and who knows what it is going to be next week. She pointed out that this ordinance refers to the publication of a list from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. She asked at what point do you stop harassing the individual property owners? At what point do you say, "Okay, this is your land, use it's? She urged the Board to use the $26 million bond fund to conserve habitat and not pit man against fuzzy things. Commissioner Tippin thought that public education would do more for endangered species. Vice Chairman Bowman cautioned that we are not really doing much just by saving the animal. The bottom line is the habitat must be saved or we will not have the plant or the animal. Commissioner Bird thought that in unplatted areas where there is habitat, we should keep moving to try to acquire that property. Where we have platted single-family lots, and the people have paid the taxes all these years, it is not necessary for us on the county level to subject them to additional levels of permitting requirements. _ 6