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The Management Agreement provides that the County has the primary responsibility for drafting a management plan relating to non - wetland areas of the property, as well as for the development and operation of any recreational and educational facilities on the property. The SJRWMD is primarily responsible for the management and restoration of the wetland area. The draft management plan was developed with input from representatives of the FMEL, the Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD), the Environmental Learning Center (ELC), the local chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FLAPS), and the County Planning and Engineering Divisions. Once the draft receives preliminarily approval from the Board of County Commissioners, it will be forwarded to the SJRWMD for their review and concurrence. FIND Grant Among its other activities, the Florida Inland Navigation District provides grants to local governments for waterfront improvements along the Intracoastal Waterway. Certain improvements proposed for the Oslo Riverfront property potentially qualify for FIND grant funds. At this time, FMEL and Mosquito Control District staff are finalizing a -draft of a FIND grant application (attached) for the property, and propose that Indian River County sponsor the application in cooperation with their agencies. The application would result in no cost to.the County. The FIND grant application deadline is May 1, 1993. The County Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC) has reviewed the draft management plan and FIND grant application, and recommends that the Board approve the plan and authorize staff's submittal of the grant application. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS Improvements Description Site improvements proposed at the Oslo Riverfront property generally consist of walking/hiking trails, with wooden bridges and boardwalks to traverse wetlands and drainage ditches. On the east side of the mosquito impoundment area along the Indian River Lagoon, an observation platform and canoe dock are proposed. Limited parking and a rest room facility are proposed in an area presently dominated by Brazilian pepper, thus minimizing native plant community impacts. Also planned is the removal of nuisance exotic species such as Brazilian pepper. Exotics throughout the property will be removed via the use of the herbicide Garlon. Costs and Funding It is anticipated that funding for site improvements will come from state grants, such as the FIND grant described herein. Also, upland habitat mitigation funds are available as a potential funding source for site restoration and management. Overall site improvements are estimated to cost between $150,000 and $200,000. The FIND grant application proposed herein would account for +$66,000 of that amount. Once the property is developed, annual maintenance costs are expected to be incorporated into the operating budget of the County 37 APRY M3 I