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Background On April 2-1, 1997, the Board approved hiring Bellomo-Herbert and Company, Inc. (subcontracted by FloridAffinity. Inc,) to draft a management plan for the Cairns tract. The ±104 acre Cairns trt. located on south Jungle Trail, was purchased in October, 1996 under a 50150 cost -share agreement ac with the State Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program, whereby the State obtained title to the property. On January 14, 1997, the Board of County Commissioners approved a lease agreement with the State for the County to manage the Cairns tract. The County and State have since purchased the ±8 acre oceanfront Irwin tract contiguous to and south of the Cairns tract, and the leasetmanagement agreement has been extended to include the Irwin tract. The combined Cairns and Irwin tracts are now referred to as the "Jungle Trail Conservation Area." Bellomo-Herbert has completed a draft management plan that is currently under review by county staff. County staff expect the draft will be finalized in the next few weeks for review and consideration by the Board and the general public. State Advisory Group Requirement State legislation enacted in 1997 (amending Section 259.032(10) F.S., attached) requires that individual management plans for properties purchased under the CARL program be developed with input from an advisory group. Moreover, Section 259.032(10) provides that: "Members of this advisory group shall include, at minimum, representatives of the lead land managing agency, co -managing entities, local private property owners, the appropriate soil and water conservation district, a local conservation organization, and a local elected officiaL" Section 259.032(10) further provides that the advisory group must conduct at least one advertised public hearing, with a management prospectus made available to the public for a period of 30 days prior to the public hearing. This matter is herein presented for the Board to consider appointing an advisory group for input on the development of the Jungle Trail Conservation Area Management Plan, in fulflUment of state states- requirements. Bellomo-Herbert, thus far in the course of its development of the draft management plan, has coordinated with residents adjacent to the subject property (e.g., Sea Oaks residents), as well as with county residents with expertise on various subjects (i.e, County Historian Ruth Stanbridge; ELC Director Holly Dill; Native Plant Society President Janice Broda). In fact, the contract with Bellomo- Herbert specifically states that the consultant will meet with the following people (see attached): • Sea Oaks [Condominium] Association representative(s) • Holly Dill, Director, Environmental Learning Center • Janice Broda, President, Florida Native Plant Society • Jim Thomas, Biologist • Ruth Stanbridge, Indian River County Historian • General Manager of the Disney Resort • Roland DeBlois, County Chief of Environmental Planning (staff advisor) The informal group listed above nearly fulfills the state advisory group criteria, absent a representative of the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District and an elected local official (county commissioner). Another adjacent property owner who has expressed interest and has been consulted is Mr. Chad Kelly, who owns property to the south of the Cairns Tract along Jungle Trail. Staff suggests that the above referenced list be built upon to fulfill the state advisory group requirement, by adding the following representatives: • County commissioner • Jim Romanek, County Parks Superintendent (staff advisor) • Representative of the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District Representative of Island Club Homeowners Association Representative of the Pelican Island Audubon Society • Chad Kelly Dr. "Skip" Barkett (owner ofJungle Trail Apartments) Although this suggested advisory group is fairly large (12 members plus two staff advisors), appointment of the group would ensure appropriate representation of interested parties. SEPTEMBER 1, 1998 -83- BOOR PAGE d