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The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) recently announced its fourth year funding cycle for local governments to apply for environmental land acquisition funds. The deadline for applications under this new cycle is September 21, 1994. Approximately $2.1 million in state match is potentially available to Indian River County this cycle. County match for awarded funds would come from county environmental land acquisition bond referendum monies. Staff requests authorization from the Board of County Commissioners to submit an FCT application, for 50% cost -share acquisition funding, of xeric scrub habitat in the City of Sebastian. Sebastian Scrub/ Scrub HCP This past September, when the Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC) was receiving site nominations for the present fiscal year, Sebastian Community Development Director Bruce Cooper submitted a general LAAC site application to staff for xeric scrub acquisition within the Sebastian City limits. This submittal was done to address the potential need for scrubacquisition under a county- wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) being prepared by the County. The purpose of this HCP is to mitigate scrub jay habitat loss in accordance with the federal Endangered Species Act. At that time, and at the time that LAAO was ranking site nominations early this year, it was unclear whether the Sebastian City Council would authorize the City's participation in an HCP. On that basis, LAAC voted to table the project nomination review until the specific scrub properties were identified, and until the City Council expressed support of scrub acquisition within City limits. The Sebastian City Council has since voted to participate in a county -wide scrub jay HCP. In coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), scrub that has been identified for acquisition includes a +66 acre tract (that was previously submitted for FCT funding, but was withdrawn), and +180 undeveloped single-famlAy lots within Sebastian Highlands. _ LAAC Review & Recommendations The Land Acquisition Advisory Committee, at its regular meeting on July 27, •1994, voted to endorse re -submittal of an FCT grant application for the +66 acre scrub property owned by Atlantic Gulf Communities (see attached). At the meeting, however, LAAC requested more information concerning management issues relating to an expansion of the FCT application toinclude + in the Sebastian Highlands. _180 lots Se tember p 13, 1994 11 8009 93 F,gGE 254 TO: James E. Chandler County Administrator DEPNT HEAD CONCURRENCE: Z Rea q AICP/ Community Developm nt Df ector D FROM: Roland M. DeBlois, AICP Chief, Environmental Planning DATE: September 6, 1994 RE: Request for County Commission Authorization to Submit a Florida Communities Trust Grant Application for Cost -Share Acquisition of Scrub Habitat in the City of Sebastian It is requested that the data herein presented be given consideration by the Board of County Commissioners formal at its meeting of September 13, 1994. regular DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) recently announced its fourth year funding cycle for local governments to apply for environmental land acquisition funds. The deadline for applications under this new cycle is September 21, 1994. Approximately $2.1 million in state match is potentially available to Indian River County this cycle. County match for awarded funds would come from county environmental land acquisition bond referendum monies. Staff requests authorization from the Board of County Commissioners to submit an FCT application, for 50% cost -share acquisition funding, of xeric scrub habitat in the City of Sebastian. Sebastian Scrub/ Scrub HCP This past September, when the Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC) was receiving site nominations for the present fiscal year, Sebastian Community Development Director Bruce Cooper submitted a general LAAC site application to staff for xeric scrub acquisition within the Sebastian City limits. This submittal was done to address the potential need for scrubacquisition under a county- wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) being prepared by the County. The purpose of this HCP is to mitigate scrub jay habitat loss in accordance with the federal Endangered Species Act. At that time, and at the time that LAAO was ranking site nominations early this year, it was unclear whether the Sebastian City Council would authorize the City's participation in an HCP. On that basis, LAAC voted to table the project nomination review until the specific scrub properties were identified, and until the City Council expressed support of scrub acquisition within City limits. The Sebastian City Council has since voted to participate in a county -wide scrub jay HCP. In coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), scrub that has been identified for acquisition includes a +66 acre tract (that was previously submitted for FCT funding, but was withdrawn), and +180 undeveloped single-famlAy lots within Sebastian Highlands. _ LAAC Review & Recommendations The Land Acquisition Advisory Committee, at its regular meeting on July 27, •1994, voted to endorse re -submittal of an FCT grant application for the +66 acre scrub property owned by Atlantic Gulf Communities (see attached). At the meeting, however, LAAC requested more information concerning management issues relating to an expansion of the FCT application toinclude + in the Sebastian Highlands. _180 lots Se tember p 13, 1994 11 8009 93 F,gGE 254