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contiguity through public Jay usage and habitat. The under this cycle for only project: either the +180 industrial tract. BOOK 94 PAGE 302 ownership from the standpoint of scrub FCT, however, voted to approve funding one of the two main components of the Sebastian Highlands lots, or the AGC The FCT Governing Body left the decision up to the County to determine which of the two components would be funded under this application cycle. At its meeting on January 25, 1995, the County Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC) considered this matter and voted 9 to 4 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners select the AGC industrial tract, not the Sebastian Highlands lots, for funding under the present 4th -year FCT program cycle. Staff requests that the Board of County Commissioners select one of the two components of the Sebastian Scrub application - either the AGC industrial tract or the Sebastian Highlands lots - for approved funding under this 4th -year cycle of the FCT. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS Evaluation Factors; Land Acquisition Guide Matrix In determining whether the AGC industrial tract or the Sebastian Highlands Unit 17 lots should be chosen for cost -share funding under the present FCT cycle, it is important to evaluate a number of factors. These factors include comparing the two areas from the standpoint of: • environmental importance • management issues • development threat/land use conflicts • opportunity for future cost -share funding These factors and others are addressed in the Evaluation/ Prioritization Matrix of the Land Acquisition Guide, which consists of 10 criteria used for evaluating sites for prioritization purposes (see attached). The matrix weighs certain criteria as more important than others, and is generally divided into two categories: qualitative issues and purchase/management issues. Criteria given the most weight are vegetative quality, wildlife value, and purchase need vs. other protection methods. Following is a comparative analysis of the AGC industrial tract and the Sebastian Highlands Unit -17 lots based on matrix criteria. Qualitative Issues The qualitative criteria of the Guide, matrix relate to native vegetation quality and wildlife value; contribution to wildlife corridors and biodiversity; contribution toward fulfilling comprehensive plan environmental land acquisition policies; social/economic value; and multiple use opportunity. Regarding vegetative quality and wildlife value, both areas have high value from the standpoint of scrub habitat. In contributing to a wildlife corridor, -the Sebastian Highlands lots are a critical linkage between the Wabasso Scrub property to the south and scrub habitat in north Sebastian. The AGC industrial tract is also important to the overall remaining scrub of the area, but is less of a critical "link" in and of itself. Both areas contribute equally to fulfilling comprehensive plan acquisition objectives. FEBRUARY 7, 1995 84