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INTRODUCTION 3 GENERAL OVERVIEW 4 5 The Environmental Lands Program Guide (ELP Guide) is to be used as the primary document that contains 6 the policies, standards, and procedures relating to environmentally significant land acquisition and 7 management activities. With respect to the ELP Guide, the Indian River County Board of County 8 Commissioners (BOCC) will have the ultimate approval authority on its adoption and revisions. The 9 Environmental Lands Acquisition Panel (ELAP) will maintain the ELP Guide and act in an advisory 10 capacity to the County Commissioners. 11 12 The ELAP will receive and review proposals for purchase and make specific land acquisition 13 recommendations. Notwithstanding any section of the ELP Guide to the contrary and except for matters 14 that are required to be confidential, such as appraisals, the ELAP shall review and make recommendations 15 with respect to all environmental land acquisition matters before said matters are presented to the BOCC. 16 County staff will be available at the direction of the County Administrator. Although the ELP Guide will 17 be the primary source for policy and procedural guidance, the Indian River County Comprehensive Plan 18 and the Indian River County Land Development Code, as well as the Comprehensive Plans of 19 municipalities in the County, will also be used as they contain goals, policies, and objectives relating to 20 land acquisition. 21 22 On March 8, 2022, the BOCC approved Resolution 2022-016 which called for an Environmental Bond 23 Referendum for the qualified electors to consider in the November 8, 2022 general election. The referendum 24 will determine whether an environmental bond should be pursued to provide for the funding towards the 25 acquisition of environmentally significant lands to restore the Indian River Lagoon, protect water resources, 26 drinking water sources, wildlife habitat and natural areas, and construct public access improvements related 27 thereto. 28 29 The BOCC committed to do the following in the event that the 2022 Referendum is approved by the voters: 30 31 A. Seek matching funds in connection with the acquisition of the Projects (as defined in the 32 Resolution) to the maximum extent such matching funds are available; 33 34 B. Make specific provisions for annual independent audit of the uses of the proceeds of the Bonds. 35 36 The BOCC committed also to revise the 2004 ELP Guide to provide criteria and guidelines for the 37 acquisition process under the 2022 Bond Referendum. The original ELP Guide was developed in 38 conjunction with the County's 2004 Environmental Bond Referendum, of which all funds have been 39 allocated. 40 41 The purpose of the ELP Guide includes the following: 42 43 1. To provide the policies and procedures involved in land acquisition and long-term management in 44 one document that may be modified over time. 45 46 2. To provide a uniform process for land acquisition and management that will be utilized throughout 47 the county. 48 49 3. To provide the public, county staff, and parties involved in the acquisition process with a document 50 that outlines this process in a format that is readily available and clear in its presentation. 51 2 9/6/2022 6:36:42 PM 321