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BOOK 94 PAGL304 The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has identified protection of both the AGC industrial tract and the Sebastian Highlands Unit 17 lots as critical components of a county -wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Given the choice of public acquisition of one area sooner than the other, FWS staff has indicated that the Sebastian Highlands lots are a higher priority. This is because of the immediate land use conflict of endangered species habitat protection vs. residential development that applies to these lots. Future Cost -Share Funding Opportunity The next (5th -year) FCT application cycle begins in June, 1995. Projects submitted under the 5th -year cycle will be ranked in December, 1995. As such, the Sebastian Scrub component not chosen by the County for funding under the present FCT cycle - either the AGC industrial tract or the Sebastian Highlands Unit 17 lots - could be submitted for funding in June. Also, staff are investigating the opportunity of submitting a CARL application that would amend an existing highly ranked CARL project, "Brevard County Scrub Refugia", to include Indian River County HCP scrub acquisition sites. Such an amendment could be submitted this year for 50% cost -share funding. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board select one of the two components of the Sebastian Scrub application, the Sebastian Highlands lots or the AGC industrial tract, for cost -share funding under the present FCT program cycle. Chief of Environmental Planning Roland DeBlois advised that this has been back to the Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAO) for review and they voted 9-4 to recommend the Atlantic Gulf Communities industrial tract on the north end of Sebastian. Commissioner Eggert gathered from reading the minutes of the LAAC meeting that their choice in this particular selection was due to their having adopted a policy that platted lots should not be considered. She had a problem with their decision because the City of Sebastian has had a terrific problem with people trying to get the proper information in trying to develop their property. It occurred to her that since these properties are very close, and because we have another chance to submit the industrial tract in June, it would be better to go with the Sebastian tract first. In response to Chairman Tippin's question, Mr. DeBlois advised that the Sebastian Highlands site had the most scrub jays. He explained that the funding would be a 50-50 split with 50% coming from the LAAO funds and 50% coming from the State. FEBRUARY 7, 1995 86