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Contract# IRL2022-07 Encumbrance# GLO 1- 1895/GLO 1-2205 ATTACHMENT A — STATEMENT OF WORK �. PROJECT TITLE: Phase 4 Restoration for the Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area (LTICA) — Earman Island II. INTRODUCTIONBACKGROUND: The Lost Tree Islands form part of the 508 -acre Lost Tree Island Conservation Area (LTICA) that includes upland, wetland and submerged land forms. This conservation area is located in the central portion of the County's section of the IRL. The northern section of the LTICA lies within the Indian River Malabar to Vero Beach State Aquatic Preserve. Mapping from 1883 shows that the larger islands and the wetlands within the LTICA were formed through natural processes. Dredging of the nearby Intra -Coastal Waterway resulted in the deposition of spoil on all three islands. These past management activities have significantly affected the composition of the plant communities on the three larger islands (Duck Head Island — 60.4 Acres; Joe Earman Island — 68.6 Acres; and Hog's Head Island — 48.4 Acres). The placement of spoil altered the topography and removed any wetland communities that were within the interior potions of the islands. Additionally, much of the native vegetation on the islands has been out -competed by non-native invasive species such as Australian pines (Casuarina equisetifolia) and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). The islands are approximately 0.75 miles north of the Merrill Barber bridge, in Vero Beach. 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 conservation area was purchased in 2003 with funds from the Florida Communities Trust. The LTICA is the second largest public - owned island system that is protected in Indian River County, and includes more than 10 miles of shoreline habitat. Three wetland mitigation projects have been permitted on the three largest islands to date. The first project is located on the northern end of Joe Earman Island. This project was permitted and designed as a coastal wetland mitigation project. The project plan involved clearing Australian pine and Brazilian pepper from the northern end of the island, and allowing native wetland vegetation to recruit on-site. Maintenance activities were limited to eliminating seedling Australian pine and Brazilian pepper, as well as other nuisance native species. Desirable wetland vegetation immediately colonized the shoreline areas, and the wetlands exceeded 90% cover by desirable species within three years of construction. The two other mitigation projects were constructed on the northern end of Duck Head Island between 2008 and 2011. These projects mulched the Brazilian pepper and smaller Australian pines in place. The aerial photograph to the left shows the northern portions of Duck Head & Earman islands where mitigation was completed. The Duck Head plan included re -grading to create submergent and emergent wetlands, and upland hammock. The project site was vegetated using a combination of planted nursery stock and natural recruitment. Desirable cover of vegetation was achieved on this site within 3-5 years (the longer duration for upland communities). The challenges and successes that the County experienced through the implementation of these projects provide a solid basis for the design of a comprehensive plan for restoration of the larger islands. In 2019, Indian River County received a grant from the Indian River Lagoon Council (IRLC) to partially fund the design of a restoration plan for the three large islands within the LTICA. The County worked with an engineering consultant to develop the design plans. As part of the IRLC grant, several meetings with stakeholders, regulatory personnel, and the public were held to solicit feedback on the restoration design. In early 2022 the design will be submitted to obtain required permits for construction. Phase 4 of the LTICA restoration includes the mechanical treatment of exotics within uplands on Earman Island. This work is planned to begin in late 2022, and will be completed by a contractor experienced with Page 13