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BOOK 95 PAGE 611 SECTION III STRUCTURES AND IMPROVEMENTS A. FAsting Improvements A locked chain link gate at the northwest corner of the property on 58th. Avenue is the single existing site improvement at this time. Chain link fencing installed by the John's Island Club West golf course runs along the property line shared with that property. The remainder of the Property is not fenced. This has allowed unauthorized dumping to occur over time, leaving several locations of debris along unimproved "woods roads" and along the east and west boundaries with adjacent residences. B. Proposed Improvements Resource management activities at Wabasso Scrub Conservation will require site improvements to secure the site from unauthorized dumping activities, introduction or reintroduction of nuisance exotic plants and feral animals, and fire protection. These improvements will include fencing the property boundary with 4' hogwire field fence, and the clearing and maintenance of a firebreak 12' to 15' in width at the perimeter inside the fence. These improvements will receive priority in County funding for operation of the Conservation Area. They should be accomplished within three to six months after purchase of the property. Where possible, the firebreak will incorporate existing woods roads. (See Figure _.) The preliminary estimate of clearing required to develop this feature is 1.78 acres. The firebreak will double as a vehicular access lane for patrols of the Conservation Area, and for access around the site during prescribed bum events. The location of fencing and firebreak clearing will be adjusted on site to avoid impacts on listed plant or animal species, with the review and assistance of GFC staff. The location of the firebreak will be adjusted as necessary so that no unreasonable physical or visual impacts occur to neighboring properties as a result of that clearing. Physical improvements to allow safe public access and use of the Conservation Area will be necessary in the future. In view of the primary and secondary purposes of the project, discussed above, only those facilities needed to support interpretive and educational activities on the site are recommended. The facilities of the Conservation Area will be constructed in compliance with all state and federal construction standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proposed improvements include a short access drive from Wabasso Road with a parking area designed for 10 automobiles (including 1 handicapped space) and two school buses. A small, pre fabricated metal shelter, a wooden observation overlook (approximately 200 square feet in area) on a representative wetland area, and interpretive signage comprise the structural improvements recommended for the Conservation Area. Two loop trails are proposed The accessible interpretive trail is a compacted limerock walk 5' in width and approximately 2,800 feet long. The trail will allow visitors of all physical abilities to move through each of the natural communities and ecotones of the site. Interpretive signs at the proposed shelter and along the trail will explain the natural resources and processes of the site, the species composition, dynamics and fire -dependent ecology of the scrub, scrubby flatwoods and pine flatwoods and wet prairie communities, and the restoration and enhancement activities occurring in the Conservation Area as a whole. The unimproved loop trail is a footpath approximately one mile in length to allow a broader view of the Conservation area, and to provide non vehicular access to the interior of the property for patrol, nature study and research. Figure _ depicts a preliminary location for these improvements, subject to additional site analysis. With the exception of the parking area, no trees will be removed to construct the facilities. The parking area will require clearing approximately 10,000 to square feet of pine flatwoods. It is recommended that pavement for the parking area be limited to the drive, and a pervious system be used to stabilize the parking bays in order to reduce the area required to be cleared for construction and stormwater management. A bicycle rack will be provided to encourage alternative transportation. Bicycle use within the Conservation Area will be prohibited as a measure to protect the site's natural resources and the experiences of other visitors. 45 JUNE 279 1995 M M M