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➢ Summary of Use Suitability of Natural Resources Overall, the natural features of the county :provide various constraints to development; many of which can be overcome through modern building and engineering techniques. In fact, one natural resource constraint that has been mitigated through engineering is drainage. With respect to drainage, large areas of the county would be underwater, if it were not for the county's extensive system of drainage canals and ditches. In some cases, modifications are relatively simple and provide minimal adverse impacts to the environment. Where only slight modification is required, areas are generally suited for most types of development. Other areas require extensive man made improvements to achieve even the lowest intensity of development. Often those improvements include the wholesale destruction of important and sensitive habitats. In those areas, development should be kept to a minimum and highly regulated to ensure the protection of natural features and resources. Figure 2.30 is a composite of the natural constraints in the county. In those areas which contain severe constraints, the county's policy should be to restrict development. A review of existing development and natural land uses reveals the following important facts: • destruction of natural areas is most evident in the eastern portion of the county, especially waterfront areas along the Indian River and on the barrier island; • continued reliance on septic 4affkses�tie systems increases the potential for pollution of the shallow aquifer; • the use of seg ie lfseptic systems in soils which. are not suited for septi£ tanks and development in areas with low elevations require large amounts of fill dirt obtained by mining; • the large amounts of runoff that result from development can lead to the need for expensive drainage improvements, pollution of natural water bodies, and localized flooding; and • development of wetlands, woodlands and other natural areas results in the destruction of natural habitat, upsetting the natural balance of the ecosystem. Wherever development occurs, the natural state of the land is altered, most of it without serious consequences. Certain areas, however, are of such a sensitive nature that their alteration can lead to serious problems for nature and humans alike. In the past, much of the land area of the county was drained and cleared for agriculture. While it is impossible to preserve all natural areas, development policies and land use regulations can and should protect sensitive areas and limit the destruction of the environment. Future Land Use Element 87 Appendix A