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RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN IRLNEP/S.IRWMD INDIAN RIVER LAGOON BLUEWAY CARL PROJECT APPLICATION The Board reviewed a Memorandum of November 5, 1996: TO: James E. Chandler County Administrator DEPARTMENT HEAD CONCURRENCE: DATE: November 5, 1996 Robert M. Keating,ICP Community Developnt D' / ctor ��m FROM: Roland M. DeBlois,�AICP Chief, Environmental Planning RE: Request for a Board Resolution Supporting an IRLNEP/SJRWMD Indian River Lagoon Blueway CARL Project Application It is requested that the data herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at its regular meeting of November 12, 1996. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP), in conjunction with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), is sponsoring a Lagoon - wide application to the State Conservation and Recreation lands (CARL) Program for State acquisition of estuarine wetlands and undeveloped upland buffers along the Indian River Lagoon. IRLNEP and SJRWMD staff have coordinated with staff from Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties to identify wetlands and uplands buffers that warrant public acquisition for restoration and protection purposes. As part of the application, IRLNEP staff is requesting resolutions of support from local governments. As such, the attached resolution is presented for Board consideration. ANALYSIS The +156 mile long Indian River Lagoon, designated an "Estuary of National Significance," has more biodiversity than any other estuary in North America. In addition to its environmental significance, the Indian River Lagoon is a important economic resource. Restoration and protection of wetlands and upland buffers along the Lagoon are critical to the long term viability of the Lagoon as a natural and economic resource. The IRLNEP/SJRWMD sponsored Indian River Lagoon Blueway CARL project will complement County efforts and objectives to preserve the environmental and economic values of the Lagoon. More specifically, the CARL project will provide additional cost=share opportunities for county environmental land acquisition projects along the Lagoon. As with the County's acquisition program, the State CARL program is based on willing sellers, with priority given to those properties that warrant public acquisition as opposed to other alternatives (e.g., regulation, conservation easements) to restore and protect critical Lagoon resources. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the attached resolution in support of the Indian River Lagoon Blueway CARL application. ON MOTION by Commissioner Macht, SECONDED by Commissioner Eggert, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution 96-145 supporting an application to the State Conservation and Recreation Lands Program and acquisition of lands associated with the Indian River Lagoon Blueway Project. NOVEMBER 12, 1996 105 Boa 99 PAGE 770