9/13/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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800K 93 FAGS 255 Subsequently, at the August 31, 1994 LAAC meeting, Brian Toland of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented information on the importance and manage -ability of' the identified lots for scrub jay habitat. After review and discussion, however, LAAC voted 8 to 7 not to endorse inclusion of the +180 Sebastian Highlands lots in the FCT grant application. City of Sebastian Since the August 31, 1994 LAAC meeting, City of Sebastian representatives have contacted staff to express concern about the potential exclusion of the Sebastian Highlands lots from acquisition funding. This concern stems from the fact that the subject +180 lots represent the crux of negotiations between the City and the Fish and Wildlife Service, as to the minimum number of lots needing protection to pro -actively allow single-family lot development, without substantial delays, in compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS The County Commission has directed staff to coordinate with the City of Sebastian to develop a county -wide scrub jay HCP. Under this plan, scrub acquisition, particularly within Sebastian, will be an essential part of the HCP. Applying for FCT funds under the present grant cycle will guarantee the availability of state matching funds to assist in fulfilling HCP requirements. Although the Habitat Conservation Plan has not yet been finalized, it is expected to be completed in the coming year. Moreover, an FCT application for the +66 acre "Sebastian Scrub" Tract is already substantially completed, due to the previous submittal that was withdrawn. Given FCT project acquisition time frames, staff expect the HCP will be completed prior to a closing on any acquisition of Sebastian scrub. Therefore, the County would have the opportunity to withdraw an FCT Sebastian scrub application, if the application is for some reason found to be inconsistent with acquisition needs specified in the finalized HCP. Management Issues LAAC's split vote - on the issue of whether or not to include the +180 Sebastian,Highlands lots in the FCT application - hinged on the issue *of management and protection of scrub within a developing platted subdivision. Although some of the identified lots are intermixed with sparse development, most of- the lots are consolidated in the vicinity of Pelican Island Elementary School. As presented to LAAC, management would occur with cooperation from the Division of Forestry and the Fish and Wildlife Service, and would largely consist of periodic (annual or less frequent) mechanical clearing, to "open up" scrub vegetation to provide Optimum habitat for scrub jays. Any prescribed burning of habitat, as applicable, would be done on an incremental small scale basis, in close coordination with the Division of Forestry and Fire Division to address safety concerns. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize staff to re -submit the "Sebastian Scrub" FCT application for this year's FCT cycle for 50% cost -share, expanding the application to include the 180 single-family lots in Sebastian Highlands. September 13, 1994 12