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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Mapping Exercise <br />Conservation Preservation stickers made up 35% of all stickers placed on maps during the in-person mapping exercises. <br />Habitat Preservation received 12% of stickers, Rural Land Preservation required 11%, and Wildlife Conservation received <br />12%. <br />PublicCoordinate Interactive Online Map <br />Users had the opportunity to select between six themed icons: Commercial/Office, Conservation, Housing, Infrastructure, <br />Parks and Recreation, and Transportation. After selecting their theme, users were able to place the point anywhere on the <br />online map and provide an open-ended response relevant to the theme. Twenty-one percent of comments left on the map <br />discussed Conservation. <br />Online Survey <br />One question on the Online Survey asked, “What are the most important environmental issues in Indian River County?” <br />Respondents were permitted to select more than one of the provided options. The top answers were “The quality of <br />beaches, rivers, and lakes,” (87%), “Open space / habitats” (70%), “wildlife preservation,” (69%), and “drinking water <br />quality” (69%). <br />A second question asked, “What natural / environmental resources are most important to the County? How should these <br />resources be protected? A summary of the responses is as follows: <br />◊ Water is abundant and can be used for outdoor recreation and fishing, but it needs to be uncontaminated, and <br />chemicals should not be used. <br />◊ Protecting seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon can prevent biodiversity loss. <br />◊ Preserving land and water is important, and limiting housing development can reduce traffic, pollution, and water <br />problems. <br />◊ Protecting the waterways, particularly the Indian River Lagoon and Blue Cypress Lake, is of utmost importance for <br />the natural environment and the county's economic vitality. <br />◊ Development should be slowed, and no more housing developments should be built to protect the land and water. <br />◊ Wetlands, scrub jay, and gopher tortoise habitats should be preserved and conserved. <br />◊ Stricter boating and septic regulations are necessary to improve water quality. <br />PAGE 94