03/15/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

�G INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Parks & Recreation —Conservation Resources / Department of General Services Date: February 28, 2022 To: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator Thru: Michael C. Zito, Assistant County Administrator Devin Virwin, Director Parks & Recreation From: Beth Powell, Asst. Director Parks & Conservation Resources Subject: Informational Update Regarding the Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area Restoration/Enhancement Plan DESRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS The LTICA was purchased in 2003 with funds from the Florida Communities Trust and the County's environmental lands bond referendum with additional funding assistance provided by the City of Vero Beach and the Town of Indian River Shores (2002). 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. The LTICA is the second largest publicly -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 providing water quality benefits, habitat for native wildlife species, and opportunities for public passive recreation and environmental education. On October 15, 2019, the Board authorized the Chairman to execute a Cost -Share Agreement with the Indian River Lagoon Council (IRLC) for the purposes of completing the design and engineering plans for the restoration of the three outer islands at Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area (LTICA). Subsequently, on March 10, 2020, the Board approved an Agreement with Carter Associates, Inc. to provide design and engineering services for the project. Since that time, two additional grant applications have been submitted for funding with the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Coastal Partnership Initiative to further the enhancement and restoration objectives of the site. A public meeting was held on October 27, 2021, at the Indian River County iG Recreation Center where approximately 60 members of the public attended to provide comment and learn more about the efforts to enhance the three large outer islands within the LTICA complex. To date, County staff and the design engineer have completed the draft design and engineering plans for the enhancement of the three outer islands consistent with the IRLC grant funding and 4