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Funding Staff has looked into the approximate cost of hiring a consultant to develop the referenced HCP, taking into consideration the availability of data from the FWS and other agencies concerning scrub jay populations and habitat in Indian River County. Stafi's finding is that the proposed work could be done for approximately $20,000. The proposed HCP directly relates to the management of a number of properties acquired by the County under the environmental lands program . Those properties include: • the St. Sebastian PUD Property (+312 acres) • the AGC Industrial Tract Scrub (+76 acres) • the 34 AGC Scrub Lots (+10 acres) • the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area (+111 acres) When the County acquired the referenced properties with cost -share funds from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT), the County obligated itself to manage scrub habitat on the properties in coordination with the FWS as part of an overall HCP. Because of the direct relationship of the proposed HCP and the management of acquired environmental lands in fulfillment of cost -share grant agreements, environmental land bond monies can be used to fund the proposed HCP. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize staff to develop a proposed scope of services and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional services relating to development of a Sebastian area -wide scrub jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), at a cost not exceeding $20,000, to be funded by environmental land acquisition bond monies. ATTACHMENTS • City of Sebastian Resolution R-97-63 conceptually supporting an area -wide HCP. • Letter dated 10/02/97 from School Board staff concerning the proposed HCP. • Copy of 10/17/96 staff letter to FWS proposing county conservation scrub lands as mitigation for development of the Sebastian Highlands Scrub lots. • FWS letter dated 11/12/97 in response to the County's proposal. Commissioner Adams asked if this will be like the one done on the 111 acres, and Mr. DeBlois said similar data was necessary. That previous study was a good example of the level of detail necessary. Mr. DeBlois went on to describe the general process. Commissioner Adams then asked if Mr. DeBlois was comfortable that in doing this HCP the Sebastian Highlands lots will be released. Mr. DeBlois responded that he will not know for sure until we actually go through the permitting process, but he has a general feeling that the plan will result in the release of the lots. Chairman Eggert pointed out that if it is not done, the lots will not be released. 48 December 9, 1997 - M M