02/01/2022 (4) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Exhibit "D" LAND USE MANAGEMENT Access, Recreation and Outreach The Intergovernmental Management Agreement between Indian River County and the St. Johns River Water Management District provides that "recreational activities planned or conducted within the wetlands and other naturally vegetated areas shall be resource-based, and the development of recreational facilities within the wetlands restricted to trails, boardwalks, or other alterations which facilitates access for the passive/ non -consumptive recreational user". The Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area provides an excellent opportunity for resource compatible uses such as picnicking, walking and hiking, bird watching, nature appreciation, environmental education, and canoeing. Improvements were constructed on the original property in 1998 through funding by FIND and by the Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails. These improvements are depicted on the Conceptual Development Plan, and include limited paved parking, the Herb Kale Nature Trail with benches and interpretive sign displays, boardwalks to access wetlands, an observation platform and an observation tower to afford an aesthetic view of the Indian River Lagoon and wetlands, and a canoe landing to provide access to the conservation area from the lagoon. A short, universally accessible loop trail meandering through the maritime hammock is provided to accommodate persons with disabilities and anyone interested in an abbreviated tour of the property. An active ORCA Volunteers group conducts regular guided tours of ORCA and assists with pest plant control and other stewardship activities. The ORCA Volunteers are supported by the Pelican Island Audubon Society (PIAS) and by the FMEL, which offers free volunteer training classes to promote citizen stewardship at ORCA and at other conservation areas. In addition to the ORCA Volunteers, a cooperative effort has been established between the District, Indian River County, the FMEL, and the Indian River County School Board to utilize the Oslo Riverfront property to educate high school and middle school students about land management issues. Regional Envirothon school competitions are periodically hosted at the FMEL and ORCA properties. Over the next five years, public use facilities will be developed on the Flinn Tract to provide an appropriate level of access and interpretation to that property, and to support the Indian River Land Trust's efforts to establish the Lagoon Greenway connecting public lands between the South Relief Canal and the 17th Street Bridge (see Conceptual Development Plan). These improvements should include a parking area with a grassed surface or pervious pavement to accommodate 15 to 20 vehicles, a restroom and an accessible loop trail approximately 1 mile in length to carry visitors through the hammock to a 1,200 -foot boardwalk across the mosquito impoundment wetlands, to return along the existing impoundment dike trails. Interpretive signs should be installed at several points along the trail to interpret the natural resources, history and management of the area. 16