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<br /> BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
<br /> Caroline D. Ginn Fran B. Adams
<br /> Chainnan `VG District 1
<br /> District 5 4
<br /> Kenneth R. Macht
<br /> Ruth M. Stanbridge * - * District 3
<br /> Vice Chairman
<br /> District 2 2oR1op' John W. Tippin
<br /> District 4
<br /> January 24 , 2001
<br /> The Honorable Jeb Bush
<br /> Office of the Governor
<br /> The Capitol
<br /> Tallahassee , FL 32399-0001
<br /> Dear Governor Bush :
<br /> The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners has learned of some disturbing details in the legal
<br /> dispute over sovereign lands and the development of the river islands claimed by the Lost Tree Village ( LTV)
<br /> Corporation . It is our understanding that a new "settlement agreement" has been proposed and may be
<br /> scheduled before the Governor and Cabinet as early as February 6th .
<br /> In a unanimous vote , the Board of County Commissioners is objecting to this settlement agreement, given the
<br /> information available . It should be painfully obvious that the State of Florida must protect the sovereign lands ,
<br /> which belongs to all of the people . To cause an agreement to happen that would do irreversible harm and
<br /> degrade the Indian River Lagoon would be unconscionable . The legal questions on the sovereign lands are
<br /> very pertinent with long-range implications , and this matter should not be reduced to a political decision . We
<br /> are also disappointed that any settlement agreement of this magnitude would even be considered without
<br /> dialogue and input from the county government.
<br /> Almost a year ago during the Legislative session , another settlement agreement was circulated . This was
<br /> supported by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and allowed development on some of these river
<br /> islands , with a commitment of "up to $ 14 million dollars" of Indian River County bond money. That settlement
<br /> agreement was slated to be introduced by a Cabinet member without the county's knowledge or input . We,
<br /> again , voted to object and remove the funding source , and that proposal was withdrawn .
<br /> The specific details of this Department of Environmental Protectiori agreement are sketchy . Enough
<br /> information has been forthcoming about the proposed residential development and dockage on three of the
<br /> islands , and golf courses on the other three , to cause alarm about the dangerous and detrimental impacts to
<br /> the Lagoon . This absurd proposal not only effects the fragile ecosystem of the Lagoon , but the surrounding
<br /> landowners , the general public, and the ability of local , state , and federal government to protect the Lagoon .
<br /> The Indian River Lagoon is extremely important to Indian River County and to the quality of life that
<br /> has
<br /> protected and sustained an economy that continues to grow, in both good times and bad . Our county , along
<br /> with the other counties along the Lagoon , has diligently worked to restore , rejuvenate , and protect the natural
<br /> resources of this remarkable river - a river that is called a National Treasure and an Estuary of International
<br /> Importance .
<br /> The citizens of Indian River County are purchasing hundreds of acres of wetlands , are successfully managing
<br /> development through local regulations , and are launching comprehensive and very expensive stormwater
<br /> management plans to drastically reduce the pollutant loading from the already existing developments and golf
<br /> courses . To have a settlement agreement put forth , especially before the Governor and Cabinet, that would
<br /> place residential development and golf courses directly in the middle of this estuary contradicts the policies of
<br /> both the State and Federal agencies , and flies in the face of all local efforts .
<br /> Recently, Indian River County became one of only five counties in the State , and the only one along the
<br /> Indian River Lagoon , to have an approved Manatee Protection Plan . The impact of a single dock may be
<br /> considered minor, but the cumulative impacts of a multitude of docks is documented and can constitute a
<br /> disaster for manatees and surrounding seagrass beds . Most of the time single-family docks are under the
<br /> threshold for regulations , so there would be no protection from the dockage of numerous powerboats and the
<br /> guaranteed consequences .
<br /> 1 1 Q Poe"' 877
<br /> JANUARY 30 , 2001 - 3 -
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