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B 0 0 K ..U;t'w PAGE 44J"I <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS <br />In April, 1996, the Prange Islands (±27 acres)were purchased by the County with environmental lands <br />bond funds and a 40% cost -share grant from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). To fiM FCT <br />grant requirements, when the County Commission approved the Prange Island purchase, it also <br />approved a management plan for the Prange Islands. The management plan, as approved by the <br />County and the FCT, commits the County to restore habitat on the Prange Islands by removing exotic <br />plants (Brazilian pepper and Australian pine) and revegetating those areas with native vegetation. <br />Moreover, the Prange Islands management plan indicates that an experimental nesting habitat will be <br />created on "Little Prange" Island for Least terns and American oystercatchers. <br />The management plan estimates the cost of exotics removal, native revegetation, and nesting habitat <br />creation to be approximately $97,000 (not including miscellaneous equipment). Because the proposed <br />work is an initial management expense, Indian River County's bond counsel has indicated that such <br />improvements can be funded with environmental land acquisition bond funds. <br />In the interest of minimizing County costs for the habitat restoration, the approved management plan <br />indicates that the County will apply for cost -share funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) <br />and/or the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOS) for the habitat restoration work. In May, 1997, a <br />"window" opened for applicants to apply for FWS funding under the FWS"South Florida Coastal <br />Ecosystem Program." In order to meet the application deadline of May 31�, county staff submitted <br />an application, contingent upon subsequent approval by the Board of County Commissioners. <br />Based on discussions with FWS staff regarding available funding and past examples of what the FWS <br />has approved under the Ecosystem Program, staff submitted a proposal for +39% cost -share funding <br />from the FWS, equaling approximately $38,800. As proposed, the County's match (using bond funds) <br />would be +$60,200. <br />The FWS has informed staff that the Prange Island habitat restoration proposal submitted by county <br />staff has been approved for FWS cost -share funding, contingent upon the Board approving a <br />cooperative agreement with the FWS for the work. As such, this memorandum and the attached <br />proposed Cooperative Agreement are presented for the Board's consideration. <br />ANALYSIS <br />When it purchased the Prange Islands with FCT cost -share funds, the County committed itself to do <br />the herein explained habitat restoration. Notwithstanding the requirements of the FCT grant <br />agreement, restoration of the habitat on the Prange Islands is consistent with the objectives of the <br />County environmental lands program and the County Comprehensive Plan. <br />If the County chooses not to enter into the proposed cooperative agreement with the FWS, the <br />alternative is for the County to pay the full cost of the habitat restoration, or seek other funding. <br />StaTs position is that the Agreement serves the County's interest in reducing County costs for tasks <br />that the County has obligated itself to complete, in the public's interest. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize the Board chairman to execute <br />the attached Cooperative Agreement (and "Certification Regarding Proposal Submission") with the <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ( FWS). <br />32 <br />September 2, 1997 <br />