2/8/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r FEB m 8 1494 BOOKUk. '91 Fay,. 793 Environmental Planning Chief Roland DeBlois advised that Brevard County received a Federal grant to prepare a habitat conservation plan (HCP), and he thought there might be some funds available for our County. He advised that the work would be done under the guidance of County staff, and public workshops would be conducted. commissioner Eggert asked whether the unincorporated areas of the County have as many single -lot problems as the City of Sebastian. Mr. DeBlois responded that most of the scrub in the unincorporated areas of the county is on large, unplatted lots. Commissioner Adams agreed that we need a county -wide plan, and that we should contact the City of Sebastian about participating in development of a plan. Bill Koolage, 17 Vista Gardens Trail, was opposed to spending money on preservation of a species when the Federal government is deeply in debt and there are so many problems with our youth and the educational system. Commissioner Adams understood Mr. Koolagel's frustration, but she felt that we should not allow the scrub jays to become extinct and then learn too late that they were a vital part of our ecosystem. She agreed there are a lot of problems in our educational system, but she was opposed to taking money away from the environment. Chairman Tippin resented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service putting pressure on us, but he realized that it is a fact of life. ON MOTION by Commissioner Macht, SECONDED by Commissioner Adams, the Board unanimously (4-0, Commissioner Bird being absent) authorized staff to seek federal funding for development of a county- wide scrub jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and to contact the Sebastian City Council to determine whether the City of Sebastian would like to participate in the HCP development process, as recommended by staff. 24