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