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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Department of General Services Parks & Conservation Resources CONSENT AGENDA BCC Meeting 10/1512019 Date: To: October 8, 2019 The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Through: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator Michael C. Zito, Assistant County Administrator Kevin Kirwin, Director Parks & Conservation Resources From: Beth Powell, Assistant Director. Parks & Conservation Resources Subject: Funding Award from the Indian River Lagoon Council — National Estuary Program for the Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area DESRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS The Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area (LTICA) was purchased in 2003 with funds from the Florida Communities Trust. The 508 -acre site is located in the Central Indian River Lagoon (IRL) approximately 0.75 miles north of the SR 60 boat launch on the barrier island. In 2002 the Town of Indian River Shores and the City of Vero Beach entered into an interlocal agreement with the County for the purchase and maintenance of the site. The LTICA is the second largest publically-owned island system that is protected in Indian River County, and includes more than 10 miles of shoreline habitat. The LTICA ecological enhancement project will be the largest lagoon -based enhancement project undertaken by Indian River County. The deliverable for the project will be a fully designed and engineered plan that will be ready for submittal of the required construction permits. The County will submit for permit approvals upon completion of the design. Engineered plans will include preparation of technical specifications to be used for project bidding purposes. The design will be produced to allow for flexibility in construction timeframes; thus the construction may be completed in phases based on logistics, and funding opportunities. The County will generate a Request for Qualifications, advertise, select, and award the project agreement upon Board approval. The project objectives for design and engineering of the LTICA habitat enhancement plan are briefly summarized as follows: • Site design that is resilient and versatile, and by its nature will be adaptable during extreme weather events and climate change • Water quality benefits through creation and enhancement of wetland communities • Establishment of endemic habitat, including, but not limited to: o High marsh habitat which is a rare resource in Indian River County o Strategically located mangrove wetlands o Maritime hammock habitat o Salt flats and open sandy beaches for shorebird nesting o Seagrass habitat (based on appropriateness and feasibility) 18