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i S i vistas of the lagoon. Most of the existing Indian River views occur at sites already developed or where the shoreline has been eroded and is close to the trail. As such, preservation of existing 'native vegetation and encouragement to replace exotics with native plantings does not conflict with existing 'lagoon views, but helps to preserve some of the jungle -like quality of areas presently with buffer vegetation. Exotic/non-native vegetation along Jungle Trail consists Primarily of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) and Australian pine (Casuarina Spp). Bot are cons ere evader" species in that they out -compete native; plants. Particularly, Brazilian pepper has taken over substantial stretches of the Protected area. While these shrubby trees do provide a dense visual buffer along the trail, they prevent the colonization of new native plant growth and threaten existing native vegetation. Australian pines are not as detrimental to the establishment of native vegetation as are Brazilian peppers. A study by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGC) regarding native plantings on spoil island reveals that mature Australian pines provide a valuable nurse crop for- the establishment of native seedlings. They apparently contribute to organic content of the soil/substrate, and also protect seedlings from winter --freezes and excessive summer heat. Another note on Australian pines, however, is their suscep- tibility *to toppling in strong winds. As such, tall, mature Australian pines adjacent to roadways and/or structures may be considered a potential safety hazard. Negative points acknowledged, Brazilian peppers and Australian pines do contribute to the jungle -like character of Jungle Trail, by providing a densely vegetated visual buffer. When these exotics are removed in large swaths, the jungle -like quality of the trail is lost. To promote the establishment of native vegetation and allow for the continuance of the jungle -like buffer, it is necessary that the native plantings of the cleared exotic areas be of a density to provide a visual buffer. Proximi- ty of the planted vegetation to the trail's travel -way is a factor as viewed from Jungle -Trail; plantings close to the trail provide more buffer from the standpoint of pedestrian and vehicular sight -line vision. Berming in conjunction with native plantings has potential to add to the visual buffer from structures as viewed from Jungle Trail. Properly designed, berms can increase the visual percep- tion of vegetation density, and therefore, jungle -likeness. Care must be taken, however, in evaluating the location, design, and extent of berming if it is to be allowed within the Jungle Trail Protected area. Berming does take away from the natural/historic contour of the area, and if designed poorly, could create drainage and/or erosion problems. Moreover, berming that threatens exist- ing native plants within the protected area should not be allowed, in that it conflicts with the objective of native vegetation preservation. The 1985 Scenic and Historic Roads Ordinance sets forth restrictions (Sec. 18-23) that prohibit the erection of structures or overhead utilities within the protected area, with specified exceptions (See Appendix A). Any structures or utilities pro- posed in the protected area that fall under the allowable excep- tion category shall require community development department and planning and zoning commission approval. Also, such utilities and structures shall be reviewed for compatability with the objectives of the 1985 ordinance, with fences of no more than fifty (50) percent opacity allowed only in the outer 10 feet of the protected area, provided no native vegetation is disturbed. Jungle Trail's proximity to the Indian River Lagoon makes it a location with good potential for archeological sites. Indian and/or prehistoric civilizations may have used various locations -4-