Laserfiche WebLink
BODS, 1.0i PAGE 36 <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Tippin, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Adams, the Board unanimously authorized <br />staff to issue a Request for Qualifications for the <br />County to select a qualified archaeologist to survey <br />acquired conservation lands and to provide <br />consulting services relating to private land <br />development on an as -need basis, contingent upon <br />available funding, as recommended by staff. <br />CONGRESSMAN DAVE WELDON - REPORT ON FEDERAL <br />LEGISLATIO <br />Congressman Dave Weldon gave a brief report on the status of <br />the beach clean-up and advised that he had to step in to prevent <br />the contractor from- leaving before the work was finished. However, <br />an additional $341,000 originally allocated to other projects has <br />been diverted to this project in an effort to make sure it is <br />completed. <br />Congressman Weldon then reported briefly on the status of the <br />proposed space station and problems arising from the Russian <br />involvement in that project. <br />Discussion then followed on several environmental issues, <br />particularly the Indian River Lagoon clean-up. <br />Commissioner Macht commented on the Wabasso scrub jay issue <br />and noted that often federal and state agencies require the County <br />to institute rigorous monitoring of these issues at great cost to <br />the County. He would like to have some feedback from the reports <br />submitted to these agencies as to what they do with the information <br />submitted. <br />Congressman Weldon felt the federal government should be <br />paying for the consultants and reports involved and supported <br />attempts to modify the Endangered Species Act which he believed is <br />not handled well, particularly as it relates to individual property <br />owners. <br />Commissioner Tippin stressed that over 30% of Indian River <br />County lands are now environmentally classified, while St. Lucie <br />and Martin Counties have less than 3%. <br />Commissioner Macht felt the major problem is a matter of <br />legislative oversight in that the laws are interpreted in a way <br />that is not reflective of what Congress originally had in mind. <br />Commissioner Adams felt that Congressman Weldon has been very <br />supportive of the County, especially with regard to the Archie Carr <br />funding. However, she did note that most of the environmental <br />lands manage very well without any management from humans. <br />APRIL 19 1997 30 <br />