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BOOK 99 ear E 199 <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by <br />Chairman Adams for discussion, that the Board <br />approve the purchase contracts for the 47 individual <br />lots as Phase II of the Sebastian Highlands Scrub <br />acquisition project; approve County payment, as a <br />cost of land acquisition, of applicable Utilities <br />water line assessments (including affected AGC lots) <br />with bond funds; approve exercise of the purchase <br />contracts; and authorize staff to proceed with <br />closing on the lots, including submittal of a <br />Project Plan amendment to the FCT to fulfill <br />requirements of the FCT cost -share Conceptual <br />Approval Agreement. <br />Commissioner Tippin emphasized that he had opposed the bond <br />issue to start with but believes in majority rule. He felt we have <br />got to draw a line in the sand. He commented that he is a native <br />of Florida and loves the "critters", but we never hear about the <br />successes and there is a limit to what we can do. He believed that <br />taking lots from people is unAmerican and said that he was going to <br />have to change his mind on this one; he could not support this <br />motion. <br />Commissioner Bird felt that this County is going out of its <br />way to buy large habitats and Fish & Wildlife should have enough <br />flexibility to recognize that lots created years ago should be <br />grandfathered in. He felt the County is more than mitigating with <br />the additional property being purchased elsewhere and is doing a <br />good job on behalf of Fish & Wildlife. He also felt he could not <br />support the motion. <br />Commissioner Macht commented that arguments he has heard in <br />LAAC meetings have been very helpful. The majority of the members <br />are people who are environmentalists who have a lot of knowledge <br />available. Some of the arguments were that individual lots should <br />never be purchased because of management problems. The difficulty <br />in management implies increased costs and the proposed water line <br />is another cost. He also believed it is time to draw a line in the <br />sand and use the bond money for something more meaningful and <br />contiguous so management will be easier. He did not believe the <br />scrub jay is in any danger whether we buy this project or not and <br />does not intend to support this motion. He felt this is not the <br />right thing to do and not the right place to do it. <br />SEPTEMBER 17, 1996 36 <br />