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DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS <br />As identified in the County Comprehensive Plan and as recognized by <br />the state and federal governments, the xeric (dry) scrub native <br />plant community is one of the most endangered natural habitats in <br />both Indian River County and the State of Florida. Generally <br />associated with the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge and the Ten Mile <br />Ridge on the east central coast of Florida, the xeric scrub plant <br />community supports many endemic flora and fauna species that are <br />listed as state or federally endangered (or potentially endangered) <br />species. The "keystone" indicator species of this endangered <br />habitat is the Florida scrub jay, a federally listed threatened <br />species. <br />Florida scrub jays, like other federally listed threatened or <br />endangered species, are protected under the Endangered Species Act, <br />administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (see <br />the attached letter). <br />Recently, particularly in Brevard County and northern Indian River <br />County, the USFWS has applied pressure on local governments to <br />develop comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) to protect <br />critical scrub jay habitat. Brevard County has received federal <br />funds for the development of a scrub jay HCP, and is in the midst <br />of developing a plan. <br />This matter is presented for the Board to consider authorizing <br />staff to seek federal funding to develop a county -wide scrub jay <br />HCP. <br />ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS <br />Indian River County is presently taking measures to protect xeric <br />scrub habitat by means of the County environmental land acquisition <br />program, and through native upland and endangered species <br />protection regulatory requirements (County Code Chapter 929). <br />However, a county -wide, intergovernmental Habitat Conservation Plan <br />is an important and necessary tool to provide comprehensive habitat <br />protection in balance with land development. <br />An important aspect of the plan would be to proactively identify <br />areas of critical habitat, and to identify practical strategies to <br />conserve these areas. These strategies are expected to include a <br />combination of public land acquisition, less -than -fee -simple <br />acquisition alternatives (e.g., conservation easements), and land <br />development regulation. <br />A locally developed HCP would provide an opportunity for the County <br />(and other participating local governments, as applicable) to be <br />actively involved in determining the most equitable means of <br />protecting scrub jay habitat in balance with private land <br />development rights. An HCP would also resolve the issue of <br />incremental, site -by -site required federal approval of scrub <br />habitat development, a requirement which is presently a burden on <br />affected private land owners. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize <br />staff to seek federal funding for the development of a county -wide <br />scrub jay Habitat Conservation Plan. Staff also requests that the <br />Board authorize staff to contact the Sebastian City Council to <br />determine whether the City would like to participate in the HCP <br />development process. <br />23 <br />BOOK 91 pnn 70 <br />