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Home My WebLink About2010-252A (09)Indian River County 2030 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 8 Indian River County Community Development Department Adopted: October 12, 2010 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE OF CONTENTS Community Development Department Indian River County u Page PURPOSE 1 INTRODUCTION 1 EXISTING CONDITIONS 2 Abiotic Features 2 Geology 2 • Commercially Valuable Minerals 2 Soils 5 Soil Series 6 • Soils of the Sand Ridges 6 • Soils of the Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes 6 • Soils of Flatwoods, Low Knolls and Ridges 6 • Soils of the Sloughs, Hammocks and Drainageways 10 • Soils of the Freshwater Swamps and Marshes 10 Soil Erosion 10 • Shoreline Erosion 12 • Erosion Control on Development Sites 12 Water Resources 12 Surface Water 13 • Upper St. Johns River Basin 14 • Indian River Lagoon 15 • Intracoastal Waterway 16 • St. Sebastian River 16 • Surface Water Quality 17 • Wetlands 23 • Wetland Regulations 24 • Floodplains 25 Groundwater 28 • Surficial Aquifer 28 • Floridan Aquifer 29 Water Use 30 Water Conservation 31 • St. Johns River Water Management District 31 • Indian River County 32 Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species 32 Florida Scrub -jay Habitat Conservation Plan 37 Manatee Protection Plan 37 Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan 37 Gopher Tortoise Protection 38 Community Development Department Indian River County u Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Ecolop-ical Communities 38 South Florida Coastal Strand 41 Sand Pine Scrub/Xeric Scrub 43 South Florida Flatwoods 46 Tropical/Coastal Hammocks 49 Freshwater Wetlands 51 • Wet prairies 51 • Freshwater marshes 51 • Sloughs 53 • Forested wetlands 54 • St. Sebastian River and Associated Wetlands 56 The Indian River Lagoon and Associated Estuarine Wetlands 56 • Exposed Sand -Shell Bottom 61 • Drift Algae Communities 61 • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation 62 • High Salt Marsh 67 • Mangrove Swamp 67 • Spoil Islands 68 • Lagoon "Reefs" 69 Nearshore Atlantic System 69 • Sebastian Inlet 69 Commercial Uses of Natural Resources 69 Conservation and Recreational Uses of Natural Resources 73 Upper St. Johns River Basin 74 • Blue Cypress Conservation Area 74 • Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area 75 Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge 75 Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge 75 Conservation Lands Acquired By Indian River County 76 Recreational Parks 76 • Oceanfront Parks 79 • Riverfront Parks 80 Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves 80 Spoil Islands 83 Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast 87 Indian River National Estuary Program CCMP 88 Air Ouality 88 Hazardous Wastes 89 Abandoned Dump Sites and Illegal Dumping 90 Community Development Department Indian River County iii Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE OF CONTENTS Community Development Department Indian River County iv Page ANALYSIS 91 Soil Erosion 91 Water Resources 94 Surface Water 94 • Upper St. Johns River Basin 95 • Indian River Lagoon 96 • St. Sebastian River 97 Groundwater 97 • Surficial Aquifer 98 • Floridan Aquifer 99 Water Conservation 99 • Flow Well Program 101 Floodplains 101 Flora and Fauna Communities 102 Native Upland Communities 102 • Upland Set -Asides 104 Wetlands 105 • Conservation Easements 106 • Land Acquisition 106 • Wetland Regulations 107 Comprehensive Wetlands Management Program 107 • Intergovernmental Coordination 108 • Conservation Zoning 108 • Conservation Easements/Fee-in-Lieu Payments 108 • Land Acquisition and Management 109 • Transfer of Development Rights 109 Rare and Endangered Species 110 Florida Scrub -jay Habitat Conservation Plan 110 Manatee Protection Plan 111 Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan 112 Gopher Tortoise Protection 113 Commercial Use of Natural Resources 113 Agriculture 113 Commercial Fisheries 114 Sand Mining 114 Conservation and Recreational Use of Natural Resources 115 Nuisance Exotic Plant Control 116 Recommendations of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast 117 Green Building 118 Community Development Department Indian River County iv Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Air Ouality 118 Hazardous Waste Management 119 Intergovernmental Coordination 120 GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 122 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 142 EVALUATION AND MONITORING PROCEDURES 143 APPENDIX A: Summary of Draft IRL NEP CCMP 2008 Update 150 LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page 8.1 General Geologic Profile of Indian River County 3 8.2 Generalized Stratigraphic Cross -Section 4 8.3 Active Mining Locations in Indian River County 5 8.4 General Soil Map Units 7 8.5 Shoreline Critical Erosion Areas 11 8.6 Hydrologic Cycle 14 8.7 Class II/Class III Waters in Indian River County 20 8.8 Outstanding Florida Waters in Indian River County 21 8.9 St. Sebastian River 22 8.10 Floodprone Areas in Indian River County 27 8.11 High, Moderate and Low Wellfield Potential 29 8.12 Habitat Priority Areas in Indian River County 36 8.13 General Ecological Community Setting 40 of Indian River County 8.14 South Florida Coastal Strand (Generalized Location) 42 8.15 Sand Pine/Xeric Scrub (Generalized Location) 44 8.16 South Florida Flatwoods (Generalized Location) 47 8.17 Tropical/Coastal Hammock (Generalized Location) 50 8.18 Generalized Wetlands Densities in Indian River County 52 8.19 Indian River Lagoon and Associated Wetlands 57 8.20 Location and Coverage of Submerged Aquatic 63 Vegetation 8.21 Species of Seagrass 66 8.22 Conditionally Approved Shellfish Harvesting Areas 72 in Indian River County 8.23 County Environmental Lands Program Acquisitions 77 8.24 Recreational Parks in Indian River County 78 8.25 Aquatic Preserves in Indian River County 82 8.26 Spoil Islands in Indian River Lagoon 84 Community Development Department Indian River County v Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 8.1 Acreage and Extent of Soils in Indian River County 8 8.2 Wetlands and Deepwater Resources of Indian River County 23 8.3 Estimated Water Withdrawals By Use Categories (2005) 31 8.4 Status of Species of Flora and Fauna in Indian River County 33 8.5 Estuarine Wetlands in Indian River County 60 8.6 Publicly Owned Conservation and Recreational Lands 73 in Indian River County 8.7 Publicly -Owned Oceanfront Property in Indian River County 79 8.8 Spoil Islands of Indian River County 86 8.9 Conservation Easements and Privately Owned Conservation and 87 Recreational Lands Held in Indian River County 8.10 Pollutant Removal Effectiveness of Common Non -Structural 91 Best Management Practices (BMPs) 8.11 Socioeconomic and Environmental Values of Wetlands in 105 Indian River County 8.12 Wetland Conservation Easements Held By Indian River County 106 8.13 Government Agencies Involved in Resource Management 120 8.14 Conservation Element Implementation Matrix 144 8.15 Conservation Element Evaluation Matrix 149 Community Development Department Indian River County vi Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element PURPOSE The purpose of the Conservation Element is to identify the natural resources in Indian River County, to analyze natural resource issues and problems, and to establish applicable goals, objectives, and policies. INTRODUCTION Indian River County is an area that is rich with a variety of natural treasures, from the Atlantic coastal beaches to Blue Cypress Lake and the Upper St. Johns River Basin, as well as the Indian River Lagoon, the waterbody from which the County derived its name. Within the county, natural upland areas are a diverse assemblage of plant and animal communities, ranging from the jungle -like hammocks of the barrier island and the coastal mainland to the scrubby sand pines of the sand ridge and the pine flatwoods and prairies to the west. Because of its geographic location, Indian River County has a mixture of subtropical and temperate flora unique to the Treasure Coast region. When pioneers first came to Indian River County, many of the natural features of the area were considered obstacles to habitation. Consequently, extensive digging of drainage canals, dredging and filling of wetlands, and diking of salt marshes for mosquito control occurred in an effort to enhance the quality of life. Now, however, resources once considered hindrances are recognized as invaluable assets to be carefully managed and preserved. Regional Context Although this element focuses on natural resources within the political boundaries of Indian River County, it is important to note that such resources are part of larger ecological systems that extend into the region and the state well beyond county boundaries. For example, the Upper St. Johns River Basin in western Indian River County is the headwaters of the St. Johns River, which extends 310 miles north to Jacksonville. By the same token, the Indian River Lagoon extends 156 miles from Ponce De Leon Inlet in Volusia County, through Indian River County, south to the Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County. As such, the conservation of natural resources in Indian River County serves the interest of not only the County but of Florida as a whole. The Existing Conditions section of this element describes the existing conditions of the county's natural resources, while the analysis section identifies natural resource issues and concerns that need to be addressed. Finally, the plan section of the element sets forth a goal, objectives, and policies to guide the county in specific actions to be taken to preserve, enhance, and appropriately use the county's natural resources in order to ensure the continued viability of these resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Community Development Department Indian River County 1 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element EXISTING CONDITIONS Abiotic Features Geology The land surface of Indian River County is underlain by nearly 10,000 feet of sedimentary rocks (carbonates, sands, and clays) which overlay a "basement" complex of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Within the upper 1,000 feet, sediments consist of limestone, dolomite, sand, clay, and shell beds. These sediments are comprised mainly of unconsolidated clastic material (sand and clay) termed the "clastic zone". This area is known as the Tamiami formation or the Fort Thompson formation. The Anastasia formation, found along the coastal area, consists of quartz sand and shell material (Coquina). Within 200 feet of the surface lies the surficial aquifer system. Overlying sediments are predominantly composed of clastic material (sand and clay) and contain the surficial aquifer. Below the surficial aquifer lies the Hawthorn formation. This formation consists of inter bedded limestone, dolomite, sand, and clay, and is about 250 feet thick in Indian River County. The formation acts as a confining layer between the Floridan and surficial aquifers. The Floridan aquifer system includes the Oldsmar, Lake City and Avon Park limestone formations, the Ocala Group, and the Undifferentiated Oligocene Rock layer. While the Lake City and Oldsmar limestone formations are found over 1,000 feet deep, the Avon Park formation consists of limestone and dolomite, and reaches a thickness of up to 250 feet. Immediately overlying the Avon Park formation is the Ocala Group, consisting of the Inglis, Williston, and Crystal River formations, all composed of limestone. The General Geologic Profile of Indian River County is depicted in Figures 8.1 and 8.2. • Commercially valuable minerals In Indian River County, minerals mined for commercial value are limited to sand and gravel. Historically, the primary location for sand mining in the county was the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, generally found parallel and proximate to U.S. Highway #1. Figure 8.3 depicts the location of active mining operations in Indian River County as of July 2008. Locally, the predominant use of sand has been for construction purposes, generally for fill related to building construction in low lying areas and locations where on-site disposal (septic) systems are installed. In the past, sand mined from the ridge has been used to renourish the beach area south of Sebastian Inlet. Due to past mining operations, most of the mining potential of the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge has been depleted. As a result, mining operations now occur in areas west of the U.S. Highway #1 corridor. Community Development Department Indian River County 2 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.1 � 1 l V? 1 . . 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About Limestone and dolomite 700 ga111min) \ Pliocene Taniami. Formation 0-60 FraBmeated to cemented Generally 100 to Shallow rock for injection wells coquina and limestone 700 gal./min zone Miocene Hawthorn Formation 70-520 Silty to sandy clay, thin shell and limestone Generally less than 100 gal/min IN1FUMMIATE OONFiNII� U11T beds, phosphatic Oligocene Suwannee Tim tore 0.190 Chalky to crystalline Generally less titian limestone 100 gal/min Ocala limestone 20-220 Limestone, dolomitic Varies widely, Upper Floridan near base in places from about 100 aquifer Water -bearing characteristics and descriptions of the geologic units in Indian River County Community Development Department Indian River County 4 Eocene Avon Park 100-500 20-120 Llaesmne and dolomite Dolomite, dolmtitiC to more than 700 gal/min Generally more then 700 gal/min Probably mrh less Middle send— - Formation limestone, limestome, than 100 gal/min fining unit act sone gypsum 600-700 Limestone and dolomite Generally 100 to more titiach 700 gal/min Oldsmar lower Floridan Formation aquifer About Limestone and dolomite Boulder zone used 1,000 as receiving unit for injection wells Water -bearing characteristics and descriptions of the geologic units in Indian River County Community Development Department Indian River County 4 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element 8.3 Soils Soil is produced by forces of weathering acting on the "parent material," or the unconsolidated mass, from which a soil is formed. The kind of soil that is formed depends on five major factors: (1) type of parent material; (2) climatic conditions; (3) plant and animal life in and on the soil; (4) topographic relief, and (5) the length of time of soil formation. The Soil Survey of Indian River County, Florida (1987) identifies 58 distinct soil types in Indian River County. These 58 soil types can be grouped into general associations that have distinctive patterns of soils, relief, and drainage. The associations or "general soil map units" range from the sandy, well drained soils of the sand ridges to the organic, very poorly drained soils of swamps and marshes. Figure 8.4 depicts the general location of soils with different drainage characteristics in Indian River County. The estimated acreage and proportional extent of each soil is contained in Community Development Department Indian River County 5 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Table 8.1. In the survey, each soil map unit is rated for various types of suitability, including cropland, pasture, woodland, on-site disposal (septic) systems, building sites, and recreation. Listed below is a general description of the soil series within Indian River County. Soil Series Soils of the Sand Ridges ASTATULA-ARCHBOLD-ST.LUCIE: Nearly level to gently sloping, excessively drained and moderately well drained soils that are sandy to a depth of 80 inches or more. Soils of the Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes CANAVERAL-CAPTIVA-PALM BEACH: Nearly level to gently sloping, somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained, and well drained to excessively well drained, sandy soils that contain shell fragments. MCKEE-QUARTZIPSAMMENTS-ST.AUGUSTINE: Level, very poorly drained, loamy soils that have very low soil strength; some nearly level, somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained soils, sand and shell fragments; and some level, somewhat poorly drained soils that are mixed sand and shell fragments. Soils of Flatwoods, Low Knolls and Ridges IMMOKALEE-MYAKKA-SATELLITE: Nearly level, poorly drained and somewhat poorly drained soils; some are sandy throughout, and some have dark sandy subsoil. EAUGALLIE-OLDSMAR-WABASSO: Nearly level, poorly drained soils that have a dark sandy subsoil; some have a subsoil that is underlain by loamy material at a depth of less than 40 inches, and some are sandy throughout and have a dark sandy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 30 inches. MYAKKA-IMMOKALEE: Nearly level, poorly drained soils that have a dark sandy subsoil. EAUGALLIE-MYAKKA-RIVIERA: Nearly level, poorly drained soils; some have a loamy subsoil at a depth of less than 40 inches, some have a dark sandy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 30 inches, and some are sandy throughout and have a dark sandy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 30 inches. Community Development Department Indian River County 6 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element RNfIr- pCSNN PV N LO M 0 Community Development Department Indian River County 7 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8.1 ACREAGE AND EXTENT OF SOILS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMUNITY SOIL NAME ACRES PERCENT Sand Ridges St. Lucie sand (0 to 8% slopes) 865 0.3 Archbold sand (0 to 5% slopes) 815 0.2 Astatula sand (0 to 5% slopes) 1,596 0.5 Paola sand (0 to 5% slopes) 283 0.1 Pomello sand (0 to 5% slopes) 2,710 0.8 Jonathan sand (0 to 5% slopes) 206 0.1 Orsino fine sand (0 to 5% slopes) 408 0.1 Barrier Island & Canaveral fine sand (0 to 5% slopes) 2,533 0.7 Coastal Marshes Palm Beach sand (0 to 5% slopes) 1,599 0.5 Quartzipsamments (0 to 5% slopes) 2,558 0.7 Captiva fine sand 1,739 0.5 St. Augustine sand 724 0.2 St. Augustine fine sand (organic substratum) 437 0.1 Mckee mucky clay loam 3,773 1.1 Beaches 487 0.1 Perrin Variant loamy fine sand 285 0.1 Riomar clay loam 515 0.1 Kesson muck 324 0.1 Flatwoods, Low EauGallie fine sand 21,974 6.4 Knolls & Ridges EauGallie-Urban land complex 1,357 0.4 Immokalee fine sand 16,494 4.8 hnmokalee-Urban land complex 454 0.1 Myakka fine sand (1) 20,917 6.1 Myakka fine sand (1) (depressional) 5,134 1.5 Oldsmar fine sand 11,342 3.3 Oldsmar fine sand (depressional) 841 0.2 Riviera fine sand (1) 30,858 8.9 Riviera fine sand (1) (depressional) 8,364 2.4 Wabasso fine sand (1) 23,971 6.9 Satellite fine sand 2,451 0.7 Pepper sand 1,004 0.3 Electra sand (0 to 5% slopes) 769 0.2 Community Development Department Indian River County 8 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8.1 ACREAGE AND EXTENT OF SOILS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMUNITY SOIL NAME ACRES PERCENT Sloughs, Poorly Riviera fine sand (1) 30,858 8.9 Defined Drainage Riviera fine sand (1) (depressional) 8,364 2.4 & Hammocks Winder fine sand 20,616 6.0 Pineda fine sand 22,004 6.4 Pineda fine sand (1) (depressional) 4,312 1.2 Boca fine sand 1,626 0.5 Boca -Urban land complex 287 0.1 Myakka fine sand (1) 20,917 6.1 Myakka fine sand (1) (depressional) 5,134 1.5 Holopaw fine sand (1) 5,718 1.7 Holopaw fine sand (1) (depressional) 3,192 0.9 Pompano fine sand 2,936 0.9 Manatee mucky loamy fine sand, 1,912 0.6 (depressional) Chobee loamy fine sand 2,024 0.6 Manatee loamy fine sand 3,028 0.9 Jupiter fine sand 1,001 0.3 Malabar fine sand 4,032 1.2 Lokosee fine sand 407 0.1 Pompano fine sand (depressional) 2,754 0.8 Freshwater Swamps Gator muck 12,767 3.7 & Marshes Canova muck 11,156 3.2 Terra Ceia muck 35,487 10.3 Floridan sand 2,660 0.8 Floridan mucky fine sand (depressional) 3,502 1.0 Holopaw fine sand (1) 5,718 1.7 Holopaw fine sand (1) (depressional) 3,192 0.9 Delray muck 3,119 0.9 Chobee mucky loamy fine sand (depressional) 410 0.1 Samsula muck 2,396 0.7 * Less than 0.1 percent (1) Located in more than one community. SOURCE: Soil Conservation Service Community Development Department Indian River County 9 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element - Soils of the Sloughs, Hammocks and Drainage -ways RIVIERA-PINEDA-WABASSO: Nearly level, poorly drained soils; some have a loamy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 40 inches, and some have a dark sandy subsoil underlain by loamy material at a depth of less than 40 inches. WINDER -RIVIERA -MANATEE: Nearly level, poorly drained and very poorly drained soils that have a loamy subsoil at a depth of 20 inches or at a depth of 20 to 40 inches; some are loamy throughout and have a dark surface layer. BOCA-WABASSO-RIVIERA: Nearly level, poorly drained soils; some have a loamy subsoil underlain by hard limestone at a depth of 40 inches, some have a dark sandy subsoil underlain by loamy material at a depth of less than 40 inches, and some have a loamy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. MYAKKA-HOLOPAW-POMPANO: Nearly level, poorly drained soils that are sandy to a depth of more than 40 inches; some have a dark sandy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 30 inches, and some have a loamy subsoil at a depth of more than 40 inches. Soils of the Freshwater Swamps and Marshes TERRA-CEIA-GATOR-CANOVA: Nearly level, very poorly drained soils; some are organic throughout, some have a moderately thick organic layer underlain by a sandy clay loam subsoil, and some have a thin organic surface layer underlain by a loamy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. FLORIDAN-DELRAY-HOLOPAW: Nearly level, poorly drained to very poorly drained soils; some have a loamy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 40 inches, some have a loamy subsoil at a depth of more than 40 inches, and some have a dark surface layer that is 10 inches or more thick. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture - Soil Conservation Service; Soil Survey of Indian River County, Florida (1987). Soil Erosion Erosion is a natural process whereby the effects of water and/or wind displace and transport soil particles. When vegetative cover is removed for urban land development and agricultural operations, soil erosion is exacerbated. Sedimentation is the process where displaced soils are deposited in an undesirable location, such as a receiving body of water. The effects of soil erosion and sedimentation on the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) system are discussed in detail in the surface water quality section of this element. Community Development Department Indian River County 10 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.5: Shoreline Critical Erosion Areas Sebastian inlet Brevard G Indian Sebastian Intel River Co; through Ambersand Beach Ambersand. (2.9 miles; R-1 to R-16) Beach ATLANTIC OCEAN Wabasso Beach..*.-. Wabasso Beach (0.6 mile; R-37 to R-40) N Vero Beach Vero Beach (3.1 miles; R-70 to R-86) w.rr.s Critical Erosion Indian River County St. Lucie County INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Community Development Department Indian River County 11 Comprehensive Plan - Shoreline Erosion Conservation Element Within Indian River County, soil erosion by water occurs as a result of the natural processes of the Atlantic Ocean on the shoreline beaches and dunes. Along the county shoreline, the Sebastian Inlet impedes the natural southerly downdrift of sand. While the littoral process continues to remove sand from this area, the physical boundary of the inlet prohibits new deposits, resulting in net erosion. Figure 8.5 depicts the FDEP-designated "Areas of Critical Beach Erosion" in Indian River County. One of these critically eroded areas is Ambersand Beach, a ±2.9 mile section of the unincorporated County that extends from permanent reference monument (PRM) R-1 to PRM R-16. The two other areas of critical erosion include: Wabasso Beach, a f0.6 mile segment in the unincorporated County extending from PRM R-37 to R-40, and the beachside central business district (CBD), a ±3.1 mile segment extending from PRM R-70 to R-86. In the past few years, Indian River County completed two large-scale beach restoration projects. One project was undertaken in 2003 when 500,000 cubic yards of sand were placed along 2.2 miles of beach in the northern end of the county. The other project was undertaken in 2007 when 375,000 cubic yards of sand were distributed along 2 miles of beach in the southern end of the county. - Erosion Control on Development Sites In 2006, the Indian River County Public Works Department created a new stormwater division. The stormwater division participates in the design of stormwater systems, educates the public on relevant stormwater topics, educates individuals involved in the design/construction of stormwater control systems, and enforces stormwater and erosion control standards. The stormwater division's objective is to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon system by reducing the amount of pollution reaching the lagoon. Water Resources Water resources in Indian River County consist of both surface water and groundwater systems. While water is an essential resource for the sustenance of people (and other living communities), an abundance of water is at times considered an obstacle to human habitation. In Indian River County and throughout Florida, alteration is evident in a history of land drainage, mosquito impoundments, and shoreline modifications. Water supplies in the form of surface water and groundwater have a common link as part of nature's overall hydrologic cycle. As precipitation occurs in the county, some water will evaporate directly back into the atmosphere. Other water is utilized by plants and returns to the atmosphere as result of Community Development Department Indian River County 12 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element evapotranspiration. Also, water will flow over land surfaces as "surface runoff," flowing into surface water bodies. That portion of the water that falls on land and is absorbed directly into the soil recharges the underlying groundwater system. The term "water table" refers to the minimum soil depth at which groundwater can be found at a given location, subject to seasonal fluctuation as a result of rainfall. Surface water bodies such as lakes, ponds, and palustrine (freshwater) wetlands represent areas where the water table is exposed at ground surface. As depicted in Figure 8.6, surface water and groundwater are integral parts of the hydrologic cycle. Surface Water Throughout Indian River County, surface water is found in the form of natural lakes, ponds, rivers, and associated palustrine (freshwater) and estuarine (brackish) wetlands, with some surface water bodies created or altered by man (i.e. canals, stormwater retention ponds and mosquito impoundments). Public benefits associated with surface waters include: floodwater control, groundwater recharge and pollutant removal; habitat for waterfowl, fish and other wildlife; and recreational, educational, commercial and aesthetic functions. Surface water can be classified into two main categories: wetlands and deepwater habitats. Generally, wetlands are lands where saturation with water is the dominant factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (1979) defines wetlands as follows: "Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. For purposes of this classification, wetlands must have one or more of the following three attributes: (1) at least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes [plants adapted to growing in wet soils]; (2) the substrate is predominantly undrained hydric [saturated] soils; and (3) the substrate is non -soil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year." Deepwater habitats are defined as permanently flooded lands lying below the deepwater boundary of wetlands. Deepwater habitats include environments where surface water is permanent and often deep, so that water, rather than air, is the principal medium within which anaerobic organisms live. The three predominant surface water systems in Indian River County are: the Upper St. Johns River Basin, which includes Blue Cypress Lake and the St. Johns Marsh; the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) system and associated estuarine wetlands (including mosquito impoundments); and the St. Sebastian River, a tributary draining into the IRL. In addition, isolated freshwater wetlands are located throughout the county. Following is a description of the major surface water systems in Indian River County. A more detailed description of associated vegetation and wildlife is presented under the topic heading of "Flora and Fauna." Community Development Department Indian River County 13 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE 8.6 ''''I 'i IIIIa EVAPOR TIbN LFROM tRANS' AND SURFACE BY PL EVAPORATION FROM ESTUARY HYDROLOGIC CYCLE • Upper St. Johns River Basin Blue Cypress Lake is the major natural open water component of the Upper St. Johns River Basin, which serves as the headwaters of the St. Johns River. Besides the lake, the Upper St. Johns River Basin includes the St. Johns Marsh and the Fort Drum Marsh. Presently, the C-54 Canal serves as the major drainage canal to release marsh flood waters into the Indian River Lagoon during extreme storm events. The area west of Interstate 95 is the natural drainage basin for the St. Johns River. While most of the water in the basin comes from rainfall that falls directly on the marsh, additional water enters the marsh via a number of small streams that flow into the Blue Cypress Lake system. It is estimated that the St. Johns Marsh is approximately one and a half (1'/Z) feet in average depth, extending over an area of approximately 75,000 acres. Blue Cypress Lake is located on the western edge of the St. Johns Marsh. The lake encompasses approximately 6,555 acres and is the only sizeable lake in Indian River County. The average depth is Community Development Department Indian River County 14 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element approximately eight feet over much of its area. During prolonged dry spells, lake water is sometimes used as a source for agricultural irrigation. The Upper St. Johns River Basin falls under the jurisdiction of the SJRWMD and is managed cooperatively by the SJRWMD and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The Basin serves a major function in floodwater control, and is of importance as a water source to a number of counties to the north of Indian River County. Recently, the SJRWMD completed a major restoration project for the Upper St. Johns River Basin. This project involved construction of a number of water control structures and reversion of agricultural lands to wetlands. A benefit of the project is that it reduces the need for freshwater discharge into the IRL via the C-54 canal. By reducing the amount of freshwater flow from the C-54 canal to the IRL, the restoration project has improved water quality in the IRL. From 1996 through 2006, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) acquired ±12,000 acres within the Upper St. Johns River Basin for water management purposes. In 2007, the SJRWMD acquired an additional 6,000 acres in the upper basin from Fellsmere Joint Venture as part of a 10,000 acre project called the Fellsmere Water Management Area (FWMA). According to SJRWMD staff, the FWMA project, once constructed, will provide improved water quality in the upper St. Johns River, as well as provide treatment for agricultural runoff, while reducing the occurrence of freshwater releases through the C-54 canal to the Indian River Lagoon. SJRWMD staff estimates that the FWMA project will reduce freshwater discharge through the C-54 to the Lagoon from about one discharge in 25 years to one discharge in 50 years. In addition to flood water control and irrigation uses, the Upper St. Johns River Basin is utilized for many recreational activities, such as hunting, fishing, camping, boating (which includes canoeing and airboating) hiking, and nature observation. The FWC manages the Upper St. Johns River Basin for wildlife and fisheries and is the principal regulator of recreational activities in the area. • Indian River Lagoon Combined with the Mosquito Lagoon and the Banana River, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is part of the longest estuarine system in the State of Florida, extending approximately 156 miles from the Ponce de Leon Inlet to Hobe Sound. Due to its geographic location, the IRL is the most ecologically diverse estuarine system on the North American continent. As such, the Indian River Lagoon has been given the distinction of being designated an "Estuary of National Significance". Within Indian River County, the IRL extends roughly 22.4 miles, and covers approximately 16,300 acres at an estimated average depth of three feet. Originally, the Indian River Lagoon's natural drainage basin extended westward to the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, which roughly parallels and is Community Development Department Indian River County 15 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element proximate to U.S. Highway #1 in Indian River County. In the early -1920's, however, three F. S. 298 Special Water Control Districts operating in Indian River County began constructing a network of drainage canals that artificially expanded the IRL watershed. Now, four major canals in Indian River County outfall into the IRL. These canals are: the North Relief Canal (located just north of the Gifford area); the Main Relief Canal (located just north of the Merrill -Barber Bridge); the South Relief Canal (located just south of 4th Street), and the C-54 Canal (located proximate to the Indian River -Brevard County line). Combined, these canals discharge approximately 188 million gallons per day (MGD) of freshwater to the IRL. • Intracoastal Waterway The deepest part of the IRL is a manmade channel, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). The ICW was dredged to provide safe passage for watercraft along the east coast. In 1881, the original construction was started by the Florida East Coast Canal Company. Later, the project was adopted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ALOE). In the mid-1950s, the ICW in Indian River County was dredged to a depth of 14 feet, but has not been dredged since that time. Due to sedimentation, the current depth of the ICW is approximately nine feet. When the ICW channel was dredged, 49 spoil islands were created within the Indian River County portion of the Indian River Lagoon. These artificially created islands are discussed under the heading "Spoil Islands". • St. Sebastian River Located in the northern portion of the county, the St. Sebastian River is a major source of freshwater inflow into the IRL. The South Prong of the St. Sebastian River extends from its headwaters near C.R. 510 (85th Street) to the Indian River -Brevard County Line, where it discharges into the Indian River Lagoon near the Sebastian Inlet. The deepwater portion of the South Prong covers approximately 500 acres. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Maps, the St. Sebastian River is classified as a freshwater riverine system, which becomes an estuarine subtidal system as it approaches its confluence with the IRL. Similar to the IRL, the natural watershed boundaries of the St. Sebastian River have been extended by connecting drainage canals to the river. The major canal influence is the east -west C-54 canal, extending from the Upper St. Johns River Basin to the St. Sebastian River, just north of the Indian River County line. Among its various functions, the St. Sebastian River plays host to transit fish normally associated with estuarine systems. While the upper part of the South Prong is freshwater, marine fish such as mullet, spot, lady fish, tarpon, and snook nurse as far up the river as the C.R. 512 over -pass. Four Community Development Department Indian River County 16 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element species of tropical marine fish occurring in the St. Sebastian River are considered rare in Florida waters. These are the opossum pipefish, river goby, slashcheek goby, and the bigmouth sleeper. The presence of these fish represent just one important habitat -value aspect of the river; a more detailed look at this ecological community is presented under the "Flora and Fauna" heading of this element. Approximately 500 acres of palustrine (freshwater) wetlands are present along the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River. These riverine wetlands are an integral part of the river and provide benefits such as pollution filtration, floodwater storage, and habitat diversity. In addition to its biological value, the St. Sebastian River is a natural scenic corridor that is utilized for recreational activities, including powerboating, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife observation. Along the river, stormwater from adjacent land uses, canals, and drainage ditches has been identified as a concern regarding pollution loading impact. Water quality concerns are addressed in the following section and are discussed in detail in the Stormwater Management Sub -Element. In 2006, the County adopted a conceptual management plan for the St. Sebastian River Greenway. The St. Sebastian River Greenway extends from approximately one mile south of CR 510 (85h Street), northward along the South Prong, to the river's intersection with the C-54 Canal at the north county line (approximately five miles). The purpose of the greenway plan is to conserve river resources while affording an opportunity for public access along the greenway's length. In implementing the greenway plan, the County has acquired conservation lands to provide a buffer to the St. Sebastian River and to enhance recreational access opportunities along the river. Surface Water Quality Surface waters of the State of Florida are classified according to designated uses. Class II waters are designated for "shellfish propagation or harvesting," while Class III waters are designated for "recreation, propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife." [Note: In 2009, the FDEP began a comprehensive review of the state's surface water classification system. Relating to that review, the State has initiated rulemaking to adopt quantitative nutrient water quality standards ("numeric nutrient criteria') to facilitate the assessment of designated use attainment for its waters and to provide a better means to protect state waters from the adverse effects of nutrient over -enrichment. Until those criteria are formally adopted, however, the Class II and Class III designations remain in effect.] Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Figure 8.7 identifies Class II and Class III designated waters in the IRL, as well as areas conditionally approved for shellfish harvesting. Also, waters of the IRL in the unincorporated county have been Community Development Department Indian River County 17 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element designated as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) and are afforded the highest levels of protection through the FDEP. The portions of the IRL with an OFW designation are depicted in Figure 8.8. Overall, water quality throughout the IRL system in Indian River County is good. In certain areas, however, water quality is degraded. These areas include lagoon waters in the vicinity of Vero Beach and the St. Sebastian River. According to the IRL National Estuary Program (IRLNEP), the overall lagoon experienced a net gain in seagrass coverage of nearly 4,000 acres from 1992 to 1999. In 2007, an EPA National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report noted that areas with good seagrass coverage tend to be located adjacent to undeveloped watersheds or close to inlets, with sparse seagrass coverage located adjacent to developed areas, tributaries, and major drainage systems. Consistent with that finding, seagrass coverage in Indian River County is sparsest in the Vero Beach narrows area. To lessen pollution impacts from stormwater entering the Lagoon from canal systems, the County, since 2000 has constructed sub -regional stormwater treatment facilities in Vero Lake Estates, Gifford and Roseland. The county has also approved the construction of two manmade treatment "marshes:" the Egret Marsh and the Spoonbill Marsh. While Egret Marsh will utilize natural biotic processes to treat stormwater, Spoonbill Marsh will treat brine effluent generated by county water treatment facilities. In 2008, the County constructed a pollution control facility in the Main Relief Canal. This facility uses "series screening methodology" designed to remove litter and debris from up to 300 million gallons per day that outflow into the Indian River Lagoon. Recently, a SJRWMD study found that one in 10 acres (10%) of the Indian River Lagoon bottom is covered in muck. In 22 of 72 sites tested (lagoon -wide), muck was found to be 39 inches or more in depth. According to the study, only one of these same 72 sites had muck 39 inches or deeper in 1989. • St. Sebastian River Water Quality In 2006 and 2007, approximately 800,000 cubic yards of muck were removed from the St. Sebastian River as part of a $20 million project conducted by the SJRWMD. The muck removal project is expected to be completed in 2009, at which time the muck removal will total approximately two million cubic yards. Despite the muck removal project, water quality in the St. Sebastian River, in 2007, failed to meet the designation of Class III (swimming and fishing). In 2007, the SJRWMD finished construction of the 166 acre Sebastian Stormwater Park, located within the City of Sebastian along the Collier canal and the Elkam waterway, two canals which discharge into the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River. According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, the Stormwater Park will reduce total suspended solids entering the South Prong by Community Development Department Indian River County 18 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element 173,280 pounds annually. The park is also projected to reduce annual nitrogen and phosphorous discharge into the South Prong by 3,749 pounds and 1,034 pounds, respectively. • Man-made Ponds According to county regulations, littoral zones, consisting of native vegetation planted on the edges of waterbodies, are required for ponds constructed on development project sites larger than 10 acres. Littoral zones contribute to water quality treatment as well as provide limited wildlife habitat. Community Development Department Indian River County 19 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Community Development Department Indian River County 20 FIGURE 8.7 9 d ! SURFACE WATER CLASSIFICATION ' SHELLFISHING AREAS Class 11 Waters g Class III Waters ®Conditionally Approved a Shellfish Harvesting Area s.h..aan i11'� 0 1 2 3 4 — MILES s No ri s I Ilan F 'Allar 'shoe.. w V.Io I M 7 B..dh 2 0 n m to I N 0 1 A N R I V E R C O U N T Y y S T. I. -O C I E C O U N T Y t S..rd.: FIoe104 O... ..d Fr..h W.t.r Fish Colnml..lon s.pt. 16. too? asOL.jlC :M��-N INDIAN RIVER COUNTY E a �,� cvoa aero .r nonb�as.r, a cawruNm YrYI.. FLORIDA Community Development Department Indian River County 20 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Sebastian Figure :: %.4 OUTSTANDING FLORIDA WATERS r- \Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area --,_Pellcan Island National Wildlife Refuge Malabar - Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve Indian #liver Shores 80urCo: Florida Came and Fresh Water Fish Commission Sept. 18, 1987 SoL4IG � OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY g a a �o oaanonBY AM& DEP(. O! COMMUN TY FLORIDA Community Development Department Indian River County 21 0 4 2 S MOMR Mlles SCALE AU Vero Beach - Ft. Pierce vera aea0Aqua t Ic cPreserve 80urCo: Florida Came and Fresh Water Fish Commission Sept. 18, 1987 SoL4IG � OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY g a a �o oaanonBY AM& DEP(. O! COMMUN TY FLORIDA Community Development Department Indian River County 21 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element 8.9 0 0.5 1 2 Miles St. Sebastian River - South Prong (Generalized Map) Community Development Department Indian River County 22 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Wetlands In addition to the County's three predominant surface water systems, isolated palustrine wetlands exist throughout Indian River County. The term "isolated" is used to refer to wetlands that are not hydrologically connected to waters of the state and that are hydrologically separated from other wetlands by upland areas. Several types of wetlands are found within Indian River County. Brackish (estuarine) wetlands, commonly referred to as salt marshes and mangrove swamps, are apparent along the Indian River Lagoon. Interior to the county, a variety of freshwater (palustrine) wetlands occur; these include cypress domes, swamp hardwoods, bayheads, wet prairies, sloughs, and freshwater marshes. Each of these wetlands have vegetation and wildlife typically found in association with them, as described in detail under "flora and fauna." Table 8.2 presents an acreage estimate of wetland resources in Indian River County. The county's Comprehensive Wetlands Management Plan (CWMP) is discussed in the analysis section of this element. Other surface waters include wet retention lakes and ponds created for stormwater control within development projects. In many cases, these are aesthetically pleasing, may be used for recreation, and add to the diversity of habitat for urban wildlife. TABLE 8.2 WETLANDS AND DEEPWATER RESOURCES OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Freshwater Wetlands St. Johns Marsh 75,000 Blue Cypress Lake 6,500 Freshwater Marsh 6,300 Wet prairie/pine Flatwood wetlands 4,700 St. Sebastian River 500 Openwater 500 Total Acreage 93,500 Estuarine Wetlands Indian River Lagoon 16,300 Mangrove scrub -shrub wetland 2,400 Salt Marsh 1,100 Mixed mangrove/salt marsh 1,200 Total Acreage 21,000 ESTIMATED TOTAL ACREAGE 114,500 (rounded to nearest 100 acres) SOURCE: FDEP Bureau of Geology Community Development Department Indian River County 23 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Wetland Regulations o Federal Regulations A number of agencies have regulatory jurisdiction pertaining to wetlands. At the federal level, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires anyone proposing to drain, fill or otherwise alter a wetland to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ALOE). While enforcement of federal wetland regulations is the responsibility of the ACOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may request to review Section 404 wetland permits issued by the ACOE. For its review, the EPA has adopted a policy which calls for "no overall net loss of the nation's remaining wetlands base, as defined by acreage and function, and to restore and create wetlands, where feasible, to increase the quantity of the nation's wetlands resource base". At the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serve in an advisory capacity. With respect to wetland losses that have been caused by agricultural drainage and related activities, the federal government has taken a tougher stance on wetland conversions to uplands. Known as the "swampbuster" provision, Section 1221 of the Food Security Act of 1985 denies federal farm benefits to farmers who convert wetlands to dry cropland. Also, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 altered previously favorable tax treatment afforded land clearing, drainage and filling of wetlands for farmlands. Moreover, the Act kept intact deductions for gifts of conservation easements. At the local level, Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD) staff identifies areas ofpotential wetlands losses and assist farmers in developing soil conservation plans. o State Regulations On the state level, the Warren S. Henderson Wetlands Act of 1984 enables the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to regulate impacts on tidal and non -tidal wetlands. Accepted mitigation measures at the state level that limit wetland losses include the protection, enhancement, or creation of a habitat similar to that expected to be affected by a proposed project. Within Indian River County, the FDEP - Melbourne District Office performs inspections, delineates jurisdictional wetland boundaries, and enforces state regulations on parcels of land less than five (5) acres in size. For parcels larger than five (5) acres, wetland delineations, inspections, and enforcement responsibility has been delegated by the FDEP to the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Other state agencies that are involved with the regulation and/or technical review of wetland values and functions include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Governor's Technical Subcommittee on Managed Marshes (SOMM). In 2004, The FDEP adopted the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM). The UMAM is used to determine the amount of mitigation needed to offset adverse impacts to wetlands and other surface waters. Community Development Department Indian River County 24 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o Regional Policies In its strategic regional policy plan, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) has established policies to protect wetlands and deepwater habitats associated with Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs). These policies restrict the alteration, degradation, or destruction of wetlands and deepwater habitats, except in specific instances; call for mitigation through creation, restoration and/or enhancement of wetland functions and values; and require the establishment or maintenance of a buffer zone of natural upland edge vegetation around constructed or preserved wetlands or deepwater habitat on new development sites. o Local Regulations In September 1990, Indian River County adopted a wetlands protection ordinance to implement policies in the County's 1990 comprehensive plan. Because state law pre-empts local governments from requiring wetland mitigation inconsistent with or in addition to state regulation of wetlands, the County defers to state and federal agencies in determining mitigation for wetland impacts regulated through the county wetlands ordinance. • Floodplains Flooding is a temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas. Generally, a floodplain is any land area that is susceptible to flooding from a 100 -year or more storm event (i.e., a storm event producing an amount of rainfall that has a one (1) percent chance of being equaled or exceeded during a given year). The occurrence of flooding is a concern for communities located in low-lying areas, near a waterbody, or along the coast. As depicted in Figure 8. 10, most of the land area of Indian River County lies within the 100 year floodplain. Although flooding can occur throughout the Indian River County area anytime during the year, flooding is most frequent during the rainy season from May to October. In Indian River County, streams and canals in the "inter -ridge" area (between the Ten Mile Ridge near Interstate 95 and the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge near U. S. Highway #1), as well as those that discharge into the St. Johns River, are subject to flooding from prolonged heavy rainfall. Many low inland areas, areas proximate to palustrine wetlands, and areas having soils with poor drainage characteristics and/or a high water table are also subject to flooding during wet periods. Generalized floodprone areas within the IRL watershed include: ➢ the Barrier Island, south of the City of Vero Beach; ➢ the Barrier Island, north of the City of Indian River Shores; Community Development Department Indian River County 25 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element ➢ the mainland, between the IRL and the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge (U.S. Highway #1); ➢ the mainland, proximate to the Ten Mile Ridge (Interstate 95); and, ➢ the St. Johns River watershed. While coastal areas of the county on the ocean are subject to storm surge flooding in the event of hurricane or tropical storm activity, areas near the IRL may experience flooding from a storm surge caused by hurricane winds piling water against the shoreline and/or the heavy rainfall that accompanies storms. According to a flood insurance study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), storm surge levels as high as 4.5 feet above mean sea level (MSL) have been recorded along the IRL. On the open coast, storm surge levels in the Atlantic Ocean have been as high as 5 feet above MSL in Indian River County and 6 to 8 feet at the Ft. Pierce Inlet. In Indian River County, heavy northerly or northeasterly winds are of particular concern. These winds can result in water piling in the "Narrows" section of the IRL. Community Development Department Indian River County 26 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element 8.10 Community Development Department Indian River County 27 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element While floodplains provide for the natural overflow of waterbodies during flood events, wetland floodplains also are valuable in their support of plant and animal resources, and provide for open space and recreation opportunities. As such, preservation of floodplains is beneficial both from an environmental and economic standpoint. Due to the desirability of property overlooking the scenic waterbodies of the Atlantic Ocean and IRL, coupled with the county's growing population, development in the County's floodplains is inevitable. Floodplain management techniques and regulations are discussed in further detail in the Stormwater Management Sub -Element and the Coastal Management Element. Groundwater In Indian River County, groundwater is utilized for water supply. Throughout the county, groundwater is present beneath the surface of the ground in the "zone of saturation," where every pore space between soil particles is saturated with water. This zone of saturation is an aquifer. An aquifer is a geological formation which is capable of yielding a useful amount of water to a well or spring, and has at least one horizontal confining (impervious) layer. Two distinct groundwater aquifers, the surficial aquifer and the Floridan aquifer, underlie Indian River County. The Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Sub -Element of the Comprehensive Plan describes these aquifers in detail. • Surficial Aquifer The surficial aquifer is located in the top stratum of soil, extending from the water table to the Hawthorn Formation (approximately 200 feet below the surface). Water quality in the surficial aquifer varies depending upon the location in the County. Although water from the surficial aquifer often contains high amounts of ingredients that produce "hard" water, water quality is generally considered good due to chloride concentrations that average less than 60 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Therefore, water from the surficial aquifer is suitable for drinking with minimal treatment and costs less to produce than water supplied by the Floridan aquifer. This aquifer serves as the principal water supply for the City of Vero Beach and for most of the domestic wells located throughout the County. The surficial aquifer is directly replenished by rainfall that does not return to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration or surface runoff. Due to the relatively high chloride content of water withdrawn from the Floridan aquifer, recharge of the surficial aquifer resulting from agricultural irrigation runoff is a concern. Depending upon soil percolation, rainfall, and the amount of impervious surface area, the recharge rate of the surficial aquifer is approximately 12 to 16 inches per year within Indian River County. In areas of the County having the greatest wellfield potential, the natural recharge rate averages 16 inches annually. Within the surficial aquifer, high yielding wells are located near the coast, south of Community Development Department Indian River County 28 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element the City of Sebastian, while wells with moderate yields are located proximate to the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, west of U.S. Highway #1 in the easternportion of the county. The western portion of the county exhibits lower yields. Figure 8.11 depicts the locations of high, moderate and low wellfield potential. FIGURE 8.11 POTENTIAL YIELDS OF WELLS TAPPING THE SHALLOW AQUIFER LEGEND LZ11y GREATEST POTENTIAL WELL YIELDS AS MUCH AS 250-1000 GAL/I M MODERATE POTENTIAL WELL YIELDS AS MUCH AS 100-250 GAL/Mm POOR POTENTIAL WELL YIELDS LESS THAN 100 GAL/MIN 0 S MILES t i i SOURCE; Water Resources of Indian River County,Fle., US Geological survey. 1075 According to the SJRWMD, extensive withdrawal of water from the surficial aquifer in the area of the Atlantic Coast Sand Ridge eastward to the IRL has resulted in salt water intrusion. Saltwater intrusion is evident in most sections of the county located east of U.S. Highway #l. • Floridan Aquifer The Floridan aquifer underlies the Hawthorn Formation at a depth from 250 to 2,700 feet below the surface. In contrast to the surficial aquifer, the Floridan aquifer is confined and generally uniform. Due to these characteristics, the potentiometric surface (the level to which water would rise if it were not confined) of the aquifer is above the land surface throughout most of Indian River County. While local recharge areas of the Floridan aquifer are limited to the extreme western portion of the Community Development Department Indian River County 29 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element county, these recharge areas in the County contribute less than two inches annually. Prime aquifer recharge areas of the Floridan aquifer are located northwest of Indian River County. For wells tapping the Floridan aquifer, the estimated yield averages approximately 650 gallons per minute (GPM). Except for the Sebastian Freshwater Lens, the water quality of the Floridan aquifer throughout most of the County is characterized by concentrations of chlorides and total suspended solids (TSS) in excess of FDEP standards for drinking water. As such, water must be treated before it is considered fit for human consumption. The preferred method of treatment in Indian River County is Reverse Osmosis (RO). A detailed discussion of the RO treatment process and the County's water treatment facilities is presented in the Potable Water Sub -Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The Sebastian Freshwater Lens is a naturally occurring pocket ofpotable water. This pocket extends from Floridana Beach in southern Brevard County to Wabasso Beach in the east central portion of Indian River County. Due to increased human consumption and irrigation, the areal extent of this pocket has experienced an ongoing decline. The largest ongoing decrease in the potentiometric surface has been documented in the Wabasso Beach area. This is cause for concern, since this water cannot be replenished. Throughout the county, discharges from the Floridan aquifer occur from abandoned flow wells. Since these discharges cause various detrimental effects, there is an emphasis on plugging abandoned flow wells and eliminating Floridan aquifer discharges. Plugging abandoned flow wells contributes to water conservation, reduces chloride contamination of the surficial aquifer, and in some cases reduces freshwater discharges to the IRL. Since 1989, Indian River County and the SJRWMD have jointly sponsored a cost -share program to plug or repair abandoned flow wells. During that time, over 375 abandoned flow wells have been plugged or repaired, saving millions of gallons per day in groundwater. Water Use Water use in Indian River County can be classified into the following categories: public supply, domestic self -supply (private residential wells), commercial/industrial self -supply, recreation, and agricultural irrigation. In 2005, ±95.81 million gallons per day (MGD) of groundwater were consumed in Indian River County. Of that amount, 18.44 million gallons, or 19.3% of total daily groundwater consumption, were consumed domestically, while 0.56 million gallons per day, or 0.5% of total daily groundwater consumption, were used in commercial/industrial applications. A total of 2.58 million gallons per day, or 2.7% of total daily groundwater consumption, was used for recreation. The 2005 breakdown of daily water consumption in Indian River County is as follows: Community Development Department Indian River County 30 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8.3: 2005 ESTIMATED WATER WITHDRAWALS BY USE CATEGORIES (MGD) Public supply 16.76 Domestic self supply 1.68 Commercial/industrial 0.56 Recreation 2.58 Agricultural 52.03 Estimated Abandoned Flow Wells 22.20 In 2005, per capita domestic water consumption averaged 143 gallons per day. According to an estimate by the St. Johns River Water Management District, there are currently 33,587 private wells in the county. Recently, the Indian River County Utility Services Department began work on an alternative water supply master plan to address future water demand. Besides currently utilized groundwater sources, alternative water sources, including desalination of seawater, surface sources, and alternative subsurface sources, are being studied. Water Conservation St. Johns River Water Management District The St. John River Water Management District (SJRWMD) is mandated by the Water Resources Act of 1972 to promote the conservation, development and proper utilization of surface and groundwater (Section 373.013, F.S.). For that reason, the District has incorporated water conservation in its policy development, and has public information available for water conservation techniques. Through its water conservation program, the SJRWMD actively promotes the use of xeriscape - drought -tolerant landscape - for residential and commercial developments. The SJRWMD also has the authority to declare water shortage warnings and to implement water use restrictions within the county during periods of water shortage. _ As previously mentioned, the SJRWMD has an on-going program to identify and plug abandoned free-flowing artesian wells, as mandated by Section 373.207 of the Florida Statues. Since 1989, Indian River County has been a participant in the joint cost -share well -capping program. Under the well -capping program, the County and the SJRWMD each contribute 50 percent of the annual cost of the program. As per Chapter 62-40.412, the SJRWMD restricts inefficient irrigation practices; requires the installation of water conserving domestic fixtures; and prohibits landscape irrigation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Community Development Department Indian River County 31 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Indian River County The County's Landscape Ordinance (LDR Chapter 926) requires the use of water conserving landscape for new developments. These regulations require: ➢ A minimum of 50 percent of all new landscape material to be "moderately" to "very" drought tolerant. ➢ An underground irrigation system for all new development, unless specifically exempt. ➢ All new irrigation systems to connect to wastewater effluent lines when available. In the event that wastewater effluent lines are not available, new irrigation systems must be designed for connection to proposed wastewater effluent lines. Presently, Indian River County does not have a water conservation program at the local level. Additional information regarding water conservation is contained in the Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Sub -Element and the Potable Water Sub -Element. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Largely due to sub -tropical climatic conditions, Florida is host to many species of flora and fauna that are not found in other areas of the United States. The survival of these flora and fauna species depends on many factors and living needs that vary with individual species. For example, some species, such as numerous amphibian and reptile species, are habitat "specialists," where resident species have small home range sizes with resource requirements that may be provided within a single isolated wetland. At the other extreme, large, frequently wide-ranging species, such as bald eagles, mink, or the Florida panther, may be no less dependent on wetlands for specific life needs, but they cannot be restricted to, nor contained within, a small tract of wetland. Species such as these utilize two or more specific habitat types within a regional landscape in order to meet their life requirements. As development continues and loss of natural areas and habitat fragmentation occurs, the survival of various species is threatened, with wide-ranging species becoming more vulnerable to automobile collisions or obstacles to migration. Area -sensitive or interior species that reproduce only in the interior of large tracts of wetlands or uplands are vulnerable to a reduction in the size of individual component wetlands/uplands as well as a reduction in total wetland/upland acreage. Some species, especially wide-ranging carnivores or raptors, have minimum areal needs to prevent loss of their population's genetic integrity. Fragmentation of ecological communities may also result in an increase of species common to disturbed environments (e.g. starlings, crows, raccoons, cowbirds). Community Development Department Indian River County 32 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element These species often compete with or feed upon native species. In Florida, official lists of endangered and potentially endangered flora and fauna have been developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Tables 8.4A and 8.5B are inclusive lists of the endangered and potentially endangered species of fauna and flora present in Indian River County. The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) has developed maps of habitat priorities in Indian River County and throughout Florida. These priority areas are based on biodiversity of flora and fauna species, with the more diverse areas being of higher priority. FNAI habitat priority areas in Indian River County are depicted in Figure 8.12. TABLE 8AA STATUS OF SPECIES OF FAUNA IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Designated Status SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME COMMUNITY FWC USFWS REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS: Alligator missippippiensis Caretta caretta Chelonia mydas mydas Dermochelys coriacea Drymarchon corais Eretmocheyl imbricate Gopherus poluphemus Lepidochelys kempi Neoseps reynoldsi Nerodia fasciate taeniate Pituophis melanoleucus BIRDS: Ajaia ajaia Aphelocaoma coerulescens Aramus guarauna Egretta caeruleau Egretta rufescens Egretta thula Egretta tricolor Falco peregrinus tundrius American alligator Atlantic loggerhead turtle Atlantic green turtle Atlantic leatherback turtle Eastern indigo snake Atlantic hawksbill turtle (1) Gopher tortoise Atlantic Ridley turtle (1) Sand skink Atlantic salt marsh snake Florida pine snake Roseate spoonbill Florida scrub jay Limpkin Little blue heron Reddish egret Snowy egret Tricolored (Louisiana) heron Arctic peregrine falcon SSC T(S/A) 7,8,9,10,12 T T 1,14,15 E E 1,14,15 E E 1,15 T T 2,3,4,5,6,10 E E 1,15 T T 1,2 E E 1,15 T T 2 T T 8,9 SSC - 2,6 SSC - 8,9,14,16 T T 2 SSC - 10,12 SSC - 12 SSC - 8,9 SSC - 12 SSC - 12 E - 1,3,8,9,12 Community Development Department Indian River County 33 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8AA STATUS OF SPECIES OF FAUNA IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME BIRDS: Designated Status COMMUNITY FWC USFWS Falco sparveriuspaulus Southeast American kestrel T - 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Grus canadensis pratensis Florida sandhill crane T - 3 Haematopus palliates American oystercatcher SSC - 1,8,9 Haliaetus leucocephalus Bald eagle T T 2,3,4,6,7,10,11,12,13 Mycteria americana Wood stork E E 7,8,9,10,12 Pelecanus occidentalis Brown pelican SSC - 9 Picoides borealis Red -cockaded woodpecker T E 3 Polyborus plancus Audubon's crested caracara T T 3 Speotyto Cunicularia Burrowing owl SSC - 3,4,13 Sterna antillarum Least tern T - 1 FISH: Acipenser oxyrhynchus Atlantic sturgeon SSC T 14,15 Centropomus undecimalis Common snook SSC - 9,14,15 Rivulus marmoratus Mangrove rivulus; rivulus SSC - 14,15 MAMMALS: Balaena glacialis Right whale (2) E E 15 Bahaenoptera borealis Sei whale (2) E E 15 Bahaenoptera physalus Finback whale (2) E E 15 Fells concolor coryi Florida panther (1) E E 3,4,6,7,10,11,12,13 Megapter novaeangliae Humpback whale (2) E E 15 Peromyscus polionontus Southern beach mouse T T 1 niveiventris Physter catodon Sperm whale; cachalot (2) E E 15 Trichechus manatus West Indian (Florida) manatee E E 14,16 Ursus americanus Black bear (1) T - 3,7,10,11 (1) The Florida black bear has not been documented in Indian River County in recent years, though some sources reference potential habitat in the western county. The Atlantic hawksbill turtle and the Atlantic Ridley turtle potentially utilize the coastal waters of Indian River County. (2) The listed whales potentially utilize Atlantic waters off coastal Indian River County. The Atlantic right whale is the species most often reported in nearshore Florida waters. Community Development Department Indian River County 34 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8AB STATUS OF SPECIES OF FLORA IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Designated Status SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME COMMUNITY DACS USFWS Asclepias curtissii Curtiss (sandhill) milkweed E - 2 Cereus eriophorus Indian River prickly apple E E 2 Cereus gracilis West coast Prickly apple E - 9 Dicerandra immaculata Lakela's (Olga's) mint E E 2 Ernodea littoralis Beach creeper T - 1 Myrcianthes fragrans Simpson's stopper/ironwood T - Ophioglossum palmatum Hand adder's tongue fern E - 4,5 Scaevola plumind Inkberry T - Tillandsia balbisiana Inflated (reflexed) wild pine T - 4,5,6,7 Tillandsia fasciculate Common (stiff -leaf) wild pine E - 5,6,7,10 Tillandsia flexuosa Twisted/banded air plant E - 5 Tillandsia utriculata Giant wild pine E - 5,6,7,10 Warea carteri Carter's mustard E E 2 Zamia integrifolia Florida arrowroot C - 2 Selaginella arenicola Sand spikemoss T - 2 Lechea cernua Nodding pinweed T - 2 Conradina grandiora Large -flowered -rosemary E - 2 Habenaria odontopetala Rein Orchid T - 2 FWC - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission SSC - Species of Special Concern USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service C - Commercially Exploited FDACS - Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services E - Endangered T(S/A) - Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance T - Threatened Source: Florida's Endangered Species. Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; April 1996. HABITATS 1 - South Florida Coastal Strand 9 - Mangrove Swamp 2 - Sand Pine Scrub 10 - Swamp Hardwoods 3 - Flatwoods Shrub Bogs/Bay Swamps 11 - Shrub Bogs/Swamps 4 - Cabbage Palm Hammocks 12- Freshwater Marsh 5 - Coastal/Tropical Hammock 13 - Freshwater Slough 6 - Oak Hammock 14 - Indian River Lagoon 7 - Cypress Swamp 15 - Nearshore Atlantic 8 - Salt Marsh 16 - St. Sebastian River Figure 8.12 Community Development Department Indian River County 35 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Community Development Department Indian River County 36 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element In 2007, the status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), was changed from endangered to threatened, while the gopher tortoise was upgraded from a state -listed species of special concern to a threatened species in 2008. o Florida Scrub -Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) In March 2000, Indian River County, in coordination with the City of Sebastian, adopted a Sebastian Area -Wide Florida Scrub -Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The HCP allows the construction of homes on platted single-family lots in the Sebastian Highlands; in exchange, Indian River County agreed to manage county -owned scrub conservation lands to maximize scrub jay habitat. In 2006,15 scrub jay families were documented within the HCP area. o Manatee Protection Plan Indian River County adopted the Indian River County Manatee Protection and Boating Comprehensive Management Plan (MPP) in 2000. The purpose of the MPP is to establish a strategy that equitably balances manatee protection, habitat protection, and boating safety with recreational and commercial marine interests. The MPP identifies "high use" manatee areas within the Indian River Lagoon, taking such areas into account in regulating the location new boating facilities as well as the expansion of existing boating facilities. Based on the level of manatee use identified in the MPP, boating speed zones were established throughout the Indian River Lagoon. The speed zones range from "no maximum speed" in low manatee use areas to "no wake zones" in high use areas. To ensure that recreational and commercial watercraft are in compliance with speed zone regulations, the FWC regularly patrols the Indian River Lagoon. The MPP also establishes siting criteria for locating marinas and docks and protects habitats vital to manatee survival in the lagoon. Since MPP adoption, the average manatee mortality rate has been 6.8. Prior to MPP adoption, the percentage of manatee deaths caused by watercraft collision, the greatest single cause of manatee mortality, averaged 1 per year, while watercraft mortality has averaged 2 per year post MPP adoption. o Sea Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan In 2005, Indian River County adopted a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for sea turtles. The focus of "the sea turtle HCP is to manage the impacts of sand renourishment and shoreline armoring on federally protected sea turtles nesting on County beaches. Prior to adoption of the Sea Turtle HCP, there were no comprehensive data collected regarding sea turtle nesting on county beaches. Community Development Department Indian River County 37 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o Gopher Tortoise Protection In 2007, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Gopher Tortoise Management Plan was revised. At that time, the gopher tortoise was upgraded from a species of special concern to a threatened species. As a result of the revised plan, gopher tortoises may no longer be entombed or buried on development sites. Now, gopher tortoises located in the path of proposed development are required to be relocated onsite or transported for relocation offsite under the guidance of the FWC. Ecological Communities Indian River County is enriched with a diversity of upland and wetland ecological communities, varying in composition as the county extends from the Atlantic Ocean and the IRL westward to the St. Johns Marsh and Blue Cypress Lake. A Soil Conservation Service (SCS) publication entitled "26 Ecological Communities of Florida" identifies at least 13 different ecological communities within the county, in addition to the IRL and the nearshore Atlantic Ocean. According to the SCS publication, 6 of the communities appear in significant concentrations, with approximately 7 other community categories appearing at sporadic intervals or in localized areas of the county. The ecological community concept utilized by the SCS is based on awareness that different soil types commonly support specific vegetative and wildlife species. Community Development Department Indian River County 38 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element i Sand Pines/Xeric Scrub s Also commonly found Inland from coast as relatively •mall communit lea Ecologloel community boundaries are generalized. Louth Florida Coastal Strand GENERAL ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY SETTING OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY I source: soil conservation Service `I '26 Ecological Communitles-of Florida' June 16, 1987 Community Development Department Indian River County 39 Xi >>'<` South Florida Flatwoods �'�, �Y�•'>.,'<�u iii? A� � tii2 �M1 ':W `�£�Q' :. ?,:{.. $ L GENERAL ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY SETTING OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY I source: soil conservation Service `I '26 Ecological Communitles-of Florida' June 16, 1987 Community Development Department Indian River County 39 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Coastal / Tropical Hammocks CosslaViropical hammocks can be found In tracts on the barrier Island; coastal mainland, and on natural Islands in the Indian River Lagoon I ' Swamp Hardwoods Ecological community 1,oundarles are generalized. !, GENERAL ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY SETTING OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY I Source: soli Conservatlon Service '26 Ecological Communities of Florida'. June 13, 1887 Community Development Department Indian River County 40 .i. Fresh Water Marsh Small, Isolated marshes and f ,ni ponds can be found throughout Gi��y��` ''>r� • •• Indian River County. GENERAL ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY SETTING OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY I Source: soli Conservatlon Service '26 Ecological Communities of Florida'. June 13, 1887 Community Development Department Indian River County 40 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element The major ecological communities in Indian River County are as follows: ➢ South Florida Coastal Strand ➢ Sand Pine Scrub/Xeric Scrub Communities ➢ South Florida Flatwoods ➢ Tropical (Maritime) Hammocks ➢ Hardwood Hammocks ➢ Freshwater Wetlands ➢ Indian River Lagoon and Associated Estuarine Wetlands ➢ Nearshore Atlantic Of particular concern are those ecological communities located in the eastern portion of the county, where development -pressures conflict with the preservation of diminishing habitats. Tropical hammock communities and coastal scrub communities are examples of habitats found almost exclusively in Florida that are in danger of disappearing or being drastically reduced, along with their unique flora and fauna. The generalized locations of the above mentioned ecological communities are depicted in Figures 8.13 (A -B). South Florida Coastal Strand The South Florida Coastal Strand community occurs on nearly level to strongly sloping land and is easily identified in Indian River County by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This community generally encompasses the area affected by ocean salt spray. Plants associated with the community are adapted to salt, intense sunlight, and strong winds. The Soil Conservation Service identifies a Canaveral -Captiva -Palm Beach soil association with the coastal strand in Indian River County. That soil association is described as nearly level to gently sloping, mostly well to excessively drained areas; the soils are coarsely textured throughout, containing shell fragments. The Canaveral -Captiva -Palm Beach soil association makes up about 6,308 acres, or about two (2) percent of the total county. The natural vegetation of the coastal strand consists of low growing grasses, vines, and herbaceous plants with a few trees or large shrubs. The trees and shrubs that do occur are often stunted due to wind action. While foredunes, the portion of the dune closest to the ocean, support flora with high salt and wind tolerance, backdunes often have vegetation similar to sand pine scrub or wetland hardwood communities. In County River County, vegetation typical to the coastal strand includes saw palmetto (serenoa repens), sand live oak (Quercus Virginiana var maritima), cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), inkberry (Scaevola plumieri), waxmyrtle (Myrica cerifera), beach bean (Canavalia maritima), Spanish - bayonet (Yucca alorfolia), seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), and sea oats (Uniola paniculata). Community Development Department Indian River County 41 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element SOUTH FLORIDA COASTAL STRAND (Generalized Location) ,_... _..... f._1 ........... ...... �. ., '1`1 [Coastalstrand communitiesare generallyfoundeastofSRA1A ;H ........... :on ......on the harder island. _...t,� sr : h 11 :J In : �> _J_ :............... ......... Mj.05 :.� ..........._. . z... -".kr,.. -7'3'1:.;,H°i• :a.;�`•.. 'r:: it it uk .............. ..............'................3,...i................i .....' ..IJ i Coastal Strand Soils Source: Indian River County Planning Division D 1.25 2.5 5 Miles based on SCS general soil map units Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) are exotic "invaders" that are often times present. As exotics, they compete with desirable native species. The coastal strand community provides nesting sites and an abundant food supply. As such, the community is utilized by a variety of wildlife. While small mammals can be found on the coastal dunes, larger mammals occur behind the foredunes. Mammals that may be found in the coastal strand include mice, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and occasionally bobcats. Birds found -in association with this habitat are the brown pelican (a species of special concern) as well as various species of gulls, terns, songbirds, and shorebirds. Several species of amphibians and reptiles also inhabit the coastal area. Species of sea turtles that regularly nest on Indian River County's beaches are the Atlantic loggerhead (Caretta caretta), the Florida green turtle (Chelonia mydas mydas), and Community Development Department Indian River County 42 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element to a lesser extent the Atlantic leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Crabs (i.e. ghost crabs) can be found burrowing into the sandy beach throughout the county. Several species of flora and fauna found in the coastal strand are recognized as endangered or potentially endangered. The Atlantic loggerhead (threatened), the Florida green turtle (endangered) and the Atlantic leatherback (endangered) are three such species documented as nesting in the county. In 1989, the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) was established as a joint venture between the USFWS, the State of Florida, and local government agencies. Segment 4 of the refuge extends from Golden Sands Park north to the Sebastian Inlet S.R.A. and contains nearly 2.9 miles of the most prolific beaches for turtle nesting in the world. Approximately 1.2 miles, or 41 percent of the area, is currently under public ownership. Passive recreation is allowed within the refuge. Studies of loggerheads in the ACNWR suggest that the density of female sea turtles that nest within or near the ACNWR is unsurpassed in the western hemisphere. Also, the beaches of the ACNWR are important habitat to green turtles, as they are more wary than loggerheads of nesting in developed coastal areas. Other endangered or potentially endangered species associated with the coastal strand habitat in Indian River County include the gopher tortoise (Gopherus poluphemus), Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais), the southeastern beach mouse (Permoyscus polionontus niveiventris), and the least tern (Sterna antillarum). Rare plant species such as Beach creeper (Erondea littotalis) and necklace pod are examples of threatened flora in the community. Along the coastal strand, land use consists almost entirely of residential development. In the unincorporated county south of the city of Vero Beach, most of the area is developed with single- family residences adjacent to the dunes, with multi -family present in the Moorings development. In northern Indian River County, the coastal strand is considerably less developed. Of the County's ±22.4 miles shoreline, Indian River County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) own and manage approximately 23,054 linear feet (4.37 miles), most of which contains coastal strand. Further discussion of publicly acquired properties is contained in the section entitled "Conservation and Recreational Use of Natural Resources." The generalized location of the Coastal Strand community in Indian River County is depicted in Figure 8.14. Sand Pine Scrub/Xeric Scrub The Sand Pine Scrub ecological community is almost exclusively found on well -drained and infertile sands of relict dunes and bars. In Indian River County, the Astatula-Archbold-St. Lucie soil association is generally the soil association found in xeric (dry) scrub communities. This soil Community Development Department Indian River County 43 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element association and scrub communities are found along the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, proximate to the St. Sebastian River, and along the Ten Mile Ridge west of and adjacent to the Interstate 95 corridor. In the past, historic areas of scrub habitat have been drastically reduced by urban development, especially scrub along the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, an area which is roughly parallel to and proximate to U.S. Highway #1. According to site plan information and estimates derived from the Planning Division's database, there are approximately 2,860 acres of scrub communities remaining in Indian River County. Over half of this acreage is located along the Atlantic Coast Sand Ridge. Approximately 900 acres of scrub are located along the South Prong of the St. Sebastian River, 300 acres of which are along east bank. These 300 acres are dominated by xeric hammocks and are undergoing sporadic development. Another 600 acre tract is located along the west bank of the river. Most of the remaining acreage of scrub habitat can be found in the area of the Ten Mile Ridge. In comparison to other habitats, scrub communities typically have fewer plant species. Scrub communities, however, have the greatest number of endemic species (i.e. species found only in a particular region). Generally, vegetation in the sand pine scrub community consists of sand pines occupying the canopy, and scrubby oaks and other shrubs, vines, and lichens comprising the understory. Little herbaceous understory exists, and large areas of bare sand can be commonly Community Development Department Indian River County 44 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element found. Typical understory plants include myrtle staggerbush, hog plum, prickly -pear cactus, muscarine grape, sand spikemoss, and several lichens. Many scrub plant species are considered "Potentially Endangered" by state or federal agencies. Scrubby flatwoods are comprised of predominantly the same species, but the sand pines are absent. Instead, they maybe replaced by slash pine or southern longleaf pine. Scrubby pine flatwoods may also possess a greater complement of species, such as threeawn, fetterbush, tarflower, dwarf huckleberry, gallberry, and wax myrtle, more characteristic of typical pine flatwoods. Delineation between these communities may be vague, as they are often intermixed. In fact, past timbering operations, drainage practices, land clearing activities, or fire frequency often determine which community occupies a site. In some cases, invasion by exotic species is common and may further complicate classification of an area as a scrub community or simply as a disturbed site possessing some vestiges of scrub vegetation. The fauna of these habitats is diverse and varies greatly depending on site characteristics and the nature of adjoining communities. Characteristic animals include bobcat, raccoon, gray squirrel, Virginia opossum, rufous -sided towhee, white -eyed vireo, Carolina wren, great -crested flycatcher, red -bellied woodpecker, eastern screech -owl, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, southern black racer, eastern coachwhip, southeastern five -lined skunk, six -lined racerunner, green anole, gopher tortoise, southern toad, and oak toad. Of particular interest are animals, including the Florida mouse, Florida scrub jay, scrub lizard, red widow spider (Latrodectus bishop), and others, which are endemic to scrub and associated xeric habitats. A significant number of scrub species, including the Florida mouse, Florida scrub jay (Aphelocaoma coerulescens), gopher tortoise (Gopherus poluphemus), Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais), Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), and gopher frog, are officially listed as Threatened or of Special Concern. Although ground vegetation is sparse and leaf fall is minimal, sand pine scrub is a fire -based community. Over time, mature sand pines retain most of their branches and build up a fire fuel supply. After a fire, sand pines reseed best, in that the associated heat helps to open and release the seeds of the cones. This fire -release method tends to create even -aged stands. In the absence of fire, a senescent, unburned sand pine forest will succeed into xeric hammock under some conditions, or degenerate into a sparsely vegetated open scrub on other sites. In a natural setting, wildfires normally occur every 20 to 40 years. Where scrub areas in the county are developed or adjacent to development, however, wildfires are suppressed. Consequently, overgrowth in these areas leads to less species diversity, and the build-up of fire fuel may lead to a potentially uncontrollable wildfire. In a study of xeric scrub communities, the FWC indicates that the minimum preserve size of scrub habitat for wildlife management purposes varies with the specific characteristics of a given tract. Community Development Department Indian River County 45 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Generally, though, a minimum of 10-15 acres should be set aside for areas intended as botanical preserves, 15-30 acres per territory for Florida scrub -jay preserves, and 50 acres for scrub community preserves to provide for rotational controlled burns. Prescribed burning, a controversial management issue, is discussed under the "Conservation and Recreational Use of Natural Resources" section of this Element. Since 1992, Indian River County, with funding assistance from the state's P2000 and Florida Forever land acquisition programs, has acquired or contributed to the acquisition of lands containing approximately 653 acres of xeric scrub. Large acquisitions include: The Carson Platt Estate quadrant of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, the North Sebastian Conservation Area and the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area. Other publicly owned lands containing scrub communities include: the Sebastian Scrub Conservation Area; Donald McDonald Park; South County Park; the Sebastian Municipal Airport site; the Vero Beach Municipal Airport site; the Winter Beach landfill transfer station; and Sandridge Golf Course. Located on the St. Sebastian River, Boy Scout Camp Oklawaha, a privately -owned tract containing scrub habitat, is considered protected from immediate development. The generalized locations of Xeric Scrub communities in Indian River County are depicted in Figure 8.15. South Florida Flatwoods The South Florida flatwoods ecological community occurs throughout south and central Florida, and covers a substantial portion of Indian River County. Flatwoods, as the name suggests, occur on nearly level land. While individual communities may comprise several thousand acres, flatwoods are typically interspersed with smaller communities of other types, especially wetlands. Within flatwoods, water movement is gradual to the natural drainageways, swamps, marshes, and ponds associated with this community. Community Development Department Indian River County 46 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FLORIDA ... (GENERALIZED LOCATION) /o Date: 1989 SCALE 0, 3 MP -4 rA ------------------- Source: Indian River County Planning Division based on S.C.S. general soil map units ti f; During the rainy season, south Florida flatwoods may have water on or near the surface. Consequently, soils of the community are generally deep, acidic, poorly to somewhat poorly drained, and moderately coarse textured. In Indian River County, soil types commonly associated with flatwoods are Boca, Eau Gallie, Electra, Immokalee, Myakka, Oldsmar, Pepper, and Wabasso. Typically, the natural vegetation of south Florida flatwoods is scattered pine trees with an understory of saw palmetto and grasses. Trees and shrubs which characterize this community include slash pine, longleaf pine, live oak, dwarf huckleberry, gallberry, saw palmetto, tarflower, shining sumac, and waxmyrtle. Herbaceous plants and vines include chalky bluestem, creeping bluestem panicum grasses, lopsided indiangrass, and pineland threeawn. In conjunction with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, the State Division of Forestry has identified approximately 15,400 acres of longleaf -slash pine forest in Indian River County. This type of forest is most commonly associated with the south Florida flatwoods community. In this county, the longleaf -slash pine forest is in areas 2.5 to 3 miles wide; these areas are west of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge extending the length of the county. Other areas are in the most western part of the county, west of Blue Cypress Lake. Community Development Department Indian River County 47 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Another forest type associated with the flatwoods community is the oak -pine forest. In Indian River County, oak -pine forest is generally found in a broad band around Interstate 95, varying in width from three to four miles in the southern part of the county to eight (8) to ten (10) miles wide in the northern part of the county. The total amount of this forest type is estimated at about 9,000 acres. The oak -pine forest type is generally characterized by upland oaks, but pines make up 25 to 50 percent of the stocking. Cabbage palm flatwoods, also found in association with the south Florida flatwood community, are similar to the pine flatwood community except for a higher percentage of herbaceous plants and the presence of cabbage palms. Throughout the western portion of the county, dry prairies occur in association with the South Florida flatwoods. These treeless plains, generally resembling pine flatwoods without the open overstory, are usually dominated by wiregrass, broomsege, and carpet grasses. Saw palmetto is the most abundant shrub. Hammocks, bayheads, and cypress domes are often scattered throughout this community. The South Florida flatwoods community is host to a diverse wildlife population. Much of the fauna can be found along the "ecotone" or edge of flatwoods and adjacent communities. Typical species include whit -tailed deer, bobcat, raccoon, opossum, nine -banded armadillo, gray fox, gray squirrel, Sherman's fox squirrel, cotton rat, least shrew, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, pine warbler, rufous -sided towhee, brown -headed nuthatch, pine woods treefrog, oak toad, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, black racer, pine woods snake, and box turtle. Introduced feral hogs and turkey are common in much of the community. Along rivers or estuaries, mature pine flatwoods provide nesting habitat for the bald eagle, and over- mature pine stands provide habitat for the endangered red -cockaded woodpecker. Several species, including the Florida burrowing owl, crested caracara, and the Florida sandhill crane, prefer to inhabit dry prairies; the box turtle, black racer, turkey vulture, common nighthawk, eastern meadowlark, least shrew, hispid cotton rat, eastern harvest mouse, and eastern spotted skunk are also often encountered. The forested wetlands and other habitats that are often dispersed throughout dry prairies contribute significantly to habitat diversity and are partially responsible for the abundant wildlife populations. Pine flatwoods are diverse, fairly resilient systems which can tolerate substantial use by man without significant endangerment. They are, however, sensitive to fire exclusion and water table fluctuations which can dramatically alter their vegetative composition and ecology. In the past, many acres of flatwoods were converted to cropland or improved pasture, grazed as native range, or supplanted by urban development. Use of rangeland for cattle operations, if properly managed, has only a minor effect on the community. While chopping and similar range practices result in more grasses and fewer shrubs, the result is an increase in diversity that usually leads to increases in types and amounts of wildlife. Community Development Department Indian River County 48 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Conversely, overgrazing or trampling by livestock can destroy habitat. On the other hand, urban development of flatwoods often reduces the value of adjacent wetlands or other habitat through reductions in vegetative diversity, increased erosion and sedimentation, or subsequent pollution of surface waters. The generalized locations of South Florida Flatwoods communities in Indian River County are depicted in Figure 8.16. Tropical/Coastal Hammocks The tropical/coastal hammock ecological community is confined to south Florida, and communities within Indian River County represent the northern extent of the range. In that the county is at the northern boundary of the subtropical zone, coastal hammocks in this area possess a diverse assemblage of tropical and temperate species. In this county, remaining tropical/coastal hammocks are generally found in the area of the coastal mainland and on undeveloped upland areas of the barrier island. Hammock species are also found on the natural and spoil islands in the IRL. Individual communities typically range in size from less than an acre to several acres. Tropical/coastal hammocks generally appear as thick clumps or strands of small to medium-sized trees. On sites where disturbance has not occurred for several years, a more jungle -like appearance is observed. The tropical/coastal hammock can vary from a mature canopy of live oaks and cabbage palms with a sparse understory of ferns and vines to a jungle -like community of tropical hardwoods, vines, and shrubs, with a fairly open canopy of oaks and cabbage palms. Community Development Department Indian River County 49 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE 8.17 TROPICAL / COASTAL HAMMOCKS (GENERALIZED LOCATION) fI---------- •--------•-------------•— ---- H Y l7 ✓ Date: 1988 ---I SCALE 0 1 2 3 4 Mlles I , -------------------- Source: Indian River County Planning Division ' based on S.C.S. general soil map units Mature coastal hammocks within the county are dominated by large live oaks. While laurel oaks (Quercus laurifolia) and scrub oaks (Quercus chapmand) are rare, these species are abundant west of the IRL. This may be due to the recent development of coastal hammocks and the relatively immature alkaline soils. In many hammocks, cabbage palms are codominant, while important canopy or understory plants include paradise tree, gumbo limbo, wild lime, Hercules club, wild mastic, myrsine, white stopper, Spanish stopper, twinberry, shore bay, though buckthorn, shining sumac, wild coffee, snowberry, poison ivy, greenbrier, wild grape, gopher apple, tread softly, ferns, and various grasses. Green pine, cypress rose pine, ball moss, golden polypod, shoestring fern, resurrection fern, and wild orchids are often found within the live oak -cabbage palm canopy. Within or adjacent to these hammocks, Brazilian pepper and Australian pine are commonly encountered, with Brazilian pepper often totally displacing the native understory. Many mammals and other non -wetland dependent animals of the barrier island are inhabitants of the coastal hammock community. Its vegetative diversity, food resources, and escape cover provide suitable habitat for raccoons, opossums, nine -banded armadillos, hispid cotton rats, least shrews, eastern moles, red -shouldered hawks, warblers, vireos, woodpeckers, southern toads, tree frogs, Community Development Department Indian River County 50 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element skinks, anoles, rat snakes, hognose snakes, and many additional species inhabiting the coastal strand community. Fire, the major natural threat to coastal hammocks, can set succession back to the early coastal strand stage which may then require at least 70 years to develop into a mature hammock. In terms of man - related threats, these include clearing for residential and recreational development, understory removal associated with landscaping, and introduction of exotic species which may displace native plants, especially those at the periphery of their native range. The generalized locations of Tropical/Coastal Hammock communities in Indian River County are depicted in Figure 8.17. Freshwater Wetlands The identifying characteristics of a wetland are generally: (1) the land predominately supports plants adapted to growing in wet soils ("hydrophytes)"; (2) the soil is predominately hydric; and (3) the land is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season each year. Ranging from small isolated marshes to large systems of contiguous wetland communities, including wet prairies, sloughs, riverine marshes and forested swamps, freshwater wetlands exist throughout Indian River County. Following is a general description of freshwater wetland habitats found in the county. A map of Generalized Wetland Densities in Indian River County is depicted in Figure 8.18. Wet prairies Wet prairies occur on low flatlands subject to periodic flooding and often grade imperceptibly into a freshwater marsh or dry prairie community. Wet prairies are generally dominated by shorter grasses and herbs such as maidencane, cordgrass, beakrushes, spikerushes, white -top rush, St. John's wort, and occasional patches of wax myrtle, coastal plain willow, or buttonbush. Freshwater marshes Freshwater marshes include a number of vegetative associations composed of grasses, rushes, sedges or broad-leaved herbs, where the ground surface is inundated with water for at least a few months of the year. They are found bordering lakes or streams, in shallow natural depressions, and on lowlands with little topographic relief. Ranging in size from small pockets within flatwoods or other communities to vast, uninterrupted wetlands, marshes often integrate into wet prairies or possess hammocks, cypress domes or strands, and deep water habitats. Sawgrass, lizard's tail, pickerelweed, cattail, arrowhead, spikerush, smartweed, bulrush, fire flag, cordgrass, bacopa, pennywort and maidencane are common dominant species of particular marshes or patches within a marsh. Natural depressions and sloughs often contain vegetation associated with deeper waters, including fragrant water lily, spatterdock, cattail, stonewort, milfoil, bladderwort, and pondweeds. Community Development Department Indian River County 51 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Wet prairies, isolated marshes and ponds usually have concentric bands of vegetation, marking zones of different hydroperiods (amount of time underwater). From one isolated wetland to another, however, the character of the plant community can vary widely. While the outermost band is often composed of grasses and St. John's wort, the innermost bands are typically dominated by taller grasses and flags, notably pickerelweed and arrowhead. Sometimes, cow lilies and bladderworts grow in a central pond. Generally, the central portion of these wetlands has a longer hydroperiod and a greater organic content to its soil than do the outer portions. Soils characteristic of freshwater marshes and ponds in Indian River County include Canova, Delray, Floridan, Holopaw, Manatee, Myakka depressional, Oldsmar depressional, Pineda depressional, and Riviera depressional. Freshwater marshes and ponds provide excellent habitats for many wildlife species. Among these species are numerous birds and waterfowl which use this community for wintering or on year-round basis. While animals that commonly occur in the freshwater marshes and ponds community include otter, mink, raccoon, white-tailed deer, and marsh -rabbit, birds frequenting the community are herons, egrets, bitterns, ibis, sandhill cranes, rails, limpkins, gallinules, snipe, killdeer, Florida duck, red -winged blackbirds, caracara, marsh hawk, red -shouldered hawk, and swallowed -tailed kite. Community Development Department Indian River County 52 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Reptiles found in association with freshwater marshes and ponds include salamanders, sirens, and a variety of frogs, turtles, snakes and the American alligator. Sloughs Sloughs are wetlands that generally appear as open expanses of grasses, sedges, and rushes in an area where the soil is saturated during the rainy season. Most sloughs are relatively long and narrow and slightly lower in elevation than surrounding flatwoods or hammocks. Grasses are the most common plants found in sloughs. Sedges and rushes also occur, with beak rushes, maidencane, bottle brush threeawn, bluepoint panicum, soft rush, sand cordgrass, sundew, marsh pink, milkwort, yellow -eyed grass, meadow beauty, slough grass and low panicum. The Soil Survey of Indian River County identifies four "map units" (soil associations) in Indian River County where sloughs and poorly defined drainageways occur. The four associations/units are Riviera-Pineda-Wabasso, Winder -Riviera Manatee, Boca-Wabasso-Riviera, and Myakka-Holopaw- Pompano. Generally, the soils of sloughs are classified as nearly level and "poorly" to "very poorly" drained. These soil associations are generally found in the central and eastern third of Indian River County. They extend from Brevard County to St. Lucie County and also extend east of the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge and are adjacent to the tidal marshes on the coastal mainland. Another area of these soils is immediately west of the St. Johns Marsh, extending from Brevard County to Okeechobee County. Sloughs are host to a diverse wildlife population. Where sloughs join flatwoods and hammocks, large animals occur. The plants associated with sloughs provide food for such mammals and birds as bobwhite quail, deer, and wading birds. While the low growing vegetation of sloughs provides poor cover for most wildlife species, this is often offset by the "edge effect" of adjacent flatwoods and hammocks. Other animals characteristic of the sloughs community include bobcat, gray fox, marsh rabbit, cranes, egrets, herons, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, and a variety of frogs and salamanders. In combination with other ecological community types, sloughs play an important role for species, such as the endangered Florida panther, whose range encompasses a multitude of communities. From the standpoint of flood control, sloughs serve as natural drainageways during high water periods. As such, they have great value in improving water quality by natural processes. Fire and artificial water level fluctuations are the major factors affecting these areas, with variations in the natural sequences of either event changing the slough's diversity and productively. With exclusion of fire or permanent water level reduction, the plant succession would be to a wooded community. Community Development Department Indian River County 53 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Forested wetlands The generalized category of forested wetlands includes several major habitat types. The common denominators of this ecological community are seasonal or permanent inundation and predominance of woody vegetation. Their species composition, ecology, and wildlife benefits vary with soil conditions, hydrology, and topography. Cypress swamps and Bayhead swamps are forested wetland community types found in Indian River County. The cypress swamp ecological community occurs along rivers and along the littoral shelf of lakes, sloughs and strands. This community may also be interspersed throughout other communities, such as flatwoods and sloughs. In Indian River County, cypress "domes" are found primarily west of Interstate 95, interspersed with flatwood and prairie communities in depressions and poorly defined drainageways. The diversity of trees is low in the cypress heads, with pond cypress being the dominant species. Other trees and plants that may be found in this community include red maple, coastal plain willow, black gum, buttonbush, wax myrtle, cinnamon fern, royal fern, Spanish moss, stiff -leafed wild pine, maidencane, and narrowleaf sawgrass. The substrate condition of cypress swamps is poorly drained, with water at or above ground level most of the year. Within this community, the low diversity of plant species is generally due to fluctuating water levels and low nutrient availability. As such, the cypress swamp plant community is sensitive to long term changes in the water level due to channelization, drainage, stabilization or impounding. Because natural regeneration of cypress requires fluctuation of water levels, flooding during the dry season prevents cypress trees from reproducing. Normally, water levels are highest in summer, and peak reproductivity occurs in early spring. Water availability is required to germinate cypress seeds; however, when seedlings start to grow, their tops must be maintained above water. The cypress swamp community plays an important role for wildlife, and is well suited for waterfowl and wading birds. Aquatic animals may also be found in large numbers. The permanent residents of cypress domes are few, but much of the wildlife of adjacent flatwoods and prairies depend on these ponds for breeding purposes. Species commonly associated with this community include deer, mink, raccoon, otter, barred owl, egrets, heron, pileated woodpecker, purple gallinule, prothonotary warbler, wood duck, wood stork, alligator, frogs, turtles, salamanders, and a variety of water snakes. The swamp hardwood ecological community is characterized by hardwoods, a high percentage of which are deciduous. Species composition in these areas is largely determined by the kind of soils that occur. Trees commonly associated with swamp hardwoods are red maple, black gum, water tupelo and cypress. Many of these areas in Florida were originally dominated by cypress, but when large cypress trees were cut out, other hardwoods became predominant. In conjunction with the Florida Division of Forestry, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) identifies approximately 6,500 acres of the oak -gum -cypress swamp hardwood Community Development Department Indian River County 54 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element community in Indian River County, primarily around the creeks leading to Blue Cypress Lake (i.e. Blue Cypress Creek, Padgett Branch, and Fort Drum Creek). Soils commonly associated with this community in Indian River County belong to the Floridan-Delray-Holopaw soil map unit. These soils are described as being nearly level, "poorly" drained to "very poorly" drained soils, having loamy subsoil at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. In addition to the referenced hardwood trees found in the swamp hardwoods community, other plants characterizing the system include wax myrtle, Carolina willow, buttonbush, dahoon holly, cinnamon fern, royal fern, lizard's tail, and wild pine. The swamp hardwood community hosts a large variety of wildlife. It is especially well suited for waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Gray squirrel, mink, raccoon, and river otter are the most commonly found mammals. Many birds, including titmice, wood duck, limpkin, owls, and woodpeckers, also inhabit this area. Swamp hardwood areas also afford good habitat for winter visitors such as warblers, vireos, thrushes, and woodcock, with hardwood vegetation providing good food and cover for these wildlife species. Bay swamps, or "bayheads," are forested wetlands that are dominated by mixtures of loblolly, red bay, and sweet bay evergreen trees. The bay swamp is considered a "climax" community with mature trees. This community occurs on wet, acidic, highly organic soils which are often seasonally flooded. Though often classified as a swamp habitat, bayheads usually have shallower standing water, shorter inundation periods, and less dramatic water level fluctuations than other forested wetlands. Bay swamps usually occur along the margin of flatwood ponds, or in shallow depressions in pine flatwoods, having succeeded from marshes, low pine flatwoods, and swamps through accumulation of organic matter. Usually, bay tree species form a dense canopy, with little sunlight penetration to promote understory or groundcover growth. For that reason, most understory tends to occur at the fringes of the forest, and consists of plants such as wax myrtle, gallberry and fetterbush. In association with other ecological communities, bay swamps provide escape cover for such creatures such as deer, turkey, and quail (where thick growth occurs). Bay swamps also provide habitat for a variety of frogs, salamanders and crayfish, snakes and raccoons. In Indian River County, small depressional pockets of bay heads exist in undeveloped areas between U.S. Highway #1 and the F.E.C. railroad. These small tracts of forested wetlands are isolated from other natural communities by the highway, railroad tracks, and urban development and may be sustained partially as a result of surface water runoff from these features. As such, wildlife utilizing these areas are limited to reptiles, amphibians, and urban wildlife (song birds, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, etc.) Community Development Department Indian River County 55 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element St. Sebastian River and Associated Wetlands The South Prong of the St. Sebastian River, which extends from approximately C.R. 510 (85th Street) to the IRL at Sebastian Inlet, has deepwater covering approximately 500 acres. The river is a freshwater riverine system in its upper reaches and becomes an estuarine subtidal system as it approaches the IRL. As briefly described in the "surface water" portion of this element, the St. Sebastian River plays host to transient fish normally associated with estuarine systems. While the upper reaches of the South Prong are freshwater, marine fish such as mullet, spot, lady fish, tarpon, and snook nurse in the river and have been found as far up the creek as the C.R. 512 over -pass. The four species of tropical marine fish that inhabit the St. Sebastian River that are considered rare in Florida waters include the opposum pipefish, river goby, slashcheek goby, and the bigmouth sleeper. River otters, alligators, and a variety of wading birds are often present on the St. Sebastian River. The river also provides "ecotone" or edge between upland ecological communities, wetlands, and deepwater, resulting in a diversity of flora and fauna. Fauna, such as osprey, river otter, and bald eagle, that thrive on a balance of upland habitat and water access, benefit from the association. Also, manatees frequent the St. Sebastian River and can be found in substantial numbers year round. A report by the federal Marine Mammal Commission identifies the St. Sebastian River as an important manatee habitat for feeding, resting, cavorting, and freshwater access purposes. The Indian River Lagoon and Associated Estuarine Wetlands Unimpounded and impounded estuarine wetlands associated with the IRL are listed in Table 8.5 and graphically depicted in Figure 8.19. While the majority of unimpounded estuarine wetlands occur on the mainland side of the IRL, several large unimpounded wetlands exist on the barrier island near the Town of Orchid and near the Indian River -St. Lucie County line. Unimpounded estuarine wetlands also occur on islands located throughout the IRL. The largest areas of unimpounded estuarine marsh are located on Horseshoe Island (173 acres) and the southern portion of Pine Island (107 acres). The Winter Beach Marsh, the largest unimpounded estuarine wetland on the mainland, comprises 100 acres. Community Development Department Indian River County 56 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE &19a Community Development Department Indian River County 57 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE 8.19b `6 \ O INDIAN RIVER LAGOON SYSTEM (SOUTHERN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY) 6' '`" •'4 Impounded Estuarine <az"> Wetlands i" Unimpounded Estuarine :. :?_ Wetlands Spoil Islands .......••••. Intracoastal Waterway (12 Foot Prolect Depth) 23rd f St. ` Contour interval 3 feet IS.N.6D I li 17th $t. ` BAdp•1 0 1/4 1/2 t 1 I i �' .p ull• SCALE 21 9 � � 9 ' -to o•le Ed. �• � 16 \ to ,\ i r b ti i N D I A N R I V E N 13 C O U N T Y —�—� 12 S T. L D C I E C O U N T Y s•u1<•: Indl•n RI -1 u.".ito Centlot DI•trict I.N.C. Pi•nnlnp Dlr. Community Development Department Indian River County 58 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8.5 WETLANDS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MAP NO. IMPOUNDMENT NAME APPROXIMATE ACREAGE Impounded Wetland Areas 1. Inlet 183 2. Bird's 156 3. Pete's 150 4. North Deerfield 51 5. South Deerfield 30 6. Pine Island 380 7. Hole in the Wall Island 130 8. Water Tower 168 9. Sand Point 149 10. The Moorings 42 11. Oyster Bar 164 12. County Line 52 13. Vero Shores 58 14. South Bill's 30 15. Middle Bill's 46 16. North Bill's 40 17. Lowenstein 65 18. South Vista Royale 133 19. North Vista Royale 52 20. Jungle Gardens 87 21. Schlitt's 35 22. Golf Course 107 23. South John Knights 44 24. North John Knights 57 25. Gifford Plots 76 26. Triangle 16 27. South Winter Beach 30 28. North Winter Beach 72 29. Morgan's 71 30. Vicker's 61 Community Development Department Indian River County 59 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Table 8.5 WETLANDS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MAP NO. NAME APPROXIMATE ACREAGE Unimpounded Wetland Areas 31. Pelican Island 3 32. Roosevelt Island 15 33. North Horseshoe Island 46 34. Horseshoe Island 173 35. Paul's Island 27 36. Middle Island 2 37. Nelson Island 23 38. Preacher Island 97 39. Pete's Island 56 40. South end of Pine Island 107 41. Barker Island 76 42. Barker Island Chain 48 43. Wabasso Island 45 44. Winter Beach Marsh 100 SOURCE: Indian River County Planning Department; Indian River Mosquito Control District In Indian River County, mosquito impoundments account for nearly 18 percent of the total acreage of wetlands throughout the IRL system. Although impounding estuarine wetlands is an effective method of controlling the mosquito population, impounding wetlands reduces the amount of potential habitat for fish and shellfish. To manage the mosquito impoundments throughout the IRL system, the Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) utilizes five methods. These include: rotational impoundment management (RIM), seasonal flooding, permanent flooding, breached, and open marsh water management (OMWM). A detailed discussion of mosquito impoundment management techniques is contained in the Coastal Management Element. Mosquito impoundments connected to the IRL provide important habitat for species of juvenile fish, including tarpon, common snook and mullet. Conversely, mosquito impoundments excluded from tidal exchange are generally characterized by only a few species of fish, most notably the sheepshead minnow, gulf killifish, mosquitofish, and sailfin molly. Most of these species are naturally carnivorous or omnivorous; however, due to reduced salinity levels, they tend to become herbivorous or detritivorous when contained in an impounded marsh (Woodward -Clyde, 1994). Community Development Department Indian River County 60 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element The Indian River Lagoon and associated estuarine wetlands are part of a major ecological system that supports hundreds of species of fish, plants and animals. According to the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, the IRL has more species of fish, plants, and animals than any other estuary in the United States. Also, the IRL supports thirty-seven (37) rare and endangered species, including one quarter (1/4) to one third (1/3) ofthe Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus) population in the United States. The natural ecological communities that comprise the IRL system are: high salt marshes, mangrove swamps, open water, exposed sand -shell bottoms, drift algae, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Mosquito impoundments and spoil islands are the anthropogenic features present in the IRL. Each of these communities has separate characteristics and functions; however, the boundaries of these communities overlap and are not clearly defined. Combined, these ecological communities form the basis for the most diverse estuary in North America. - Exposed Sand -Shell Bottom The exposed sand -shell bottom forms the most extensive area of the IRL system. Within this system, substrate firmness, stability and the percentages of silt, sand and shell material are extremely variable. Macroinvertebrate burrowing forms of life, such as segmented worms, brittle stars, bivalves, acorn worms, and gastropods, comprise the dominant species. The exposed sand -shell bottom of the IRI, lacks rooted plants; however, these areas often support algae communities attached to shell, rock, or other firm surfaces. Exposed sand -shell bottoms less than five feet in depth provide potential sites for colonization of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) as unconsolidated sediments stabilize. Oyster flats and bars are exposed sand -shell bottoms where self-perpetuating oysters dominate. These areas provide attachment and protective cover sites for invertebrates and small cryptic fish such as gobies and blennies. The invertebrate community in turn provides a forage base for a variety of fish. Nearly half of all fish species in the IRL can be found on or over the exposed sand -shell bottom community (Woodward -Clyde, 1994). Fish species most often associated with this community include: sheephead, spade fish, grey snapper, tarpon, snook, and barracuda. - Drift Algae Communities As the term "drift algae" implies, this community is formed of unattached, free drifting algae, which aggregate in response to prevailing winds, water currents, and bottom topography. Due to their drifting characteristics, drift algae can be associated with exposed sand -shell bottoms or with seagrass bottoms. Drift algae occurs throughout the IRL, but particularly large and persistent aggregations occur south of Sebastian Inlet and north of Vero Beach. Community Development Department Indian River County 61 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element The ecology of drift algae and its value to the productivity of the IRL have only recently come under review. These recent studies were limited to drift algae communities associated with SAV. Studies concerning drift algae communities not associated with SAV have yet to be published, but the drift algae habitat is believed to significantly contribute to the primary productivity, standing crop, and overall complexity of the IRL system. • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) consists of submergent flowering plants (seagrasses) and algae that live underwater, produce oxygen and recycle nutrients. Seagrasses require sunlight to grow; therefore, the depth at which seagrasses are found is limited by water clarity. Within Indian River County, it is estimated that approximately 2,930 acres, or approximately 18 percent of the total ±16,300 acre IRL, are covered by SAV. Seagrasses in the Indian River Lagoon are important natural resources that perform many significant functions: 1) they help maintain water clarity by trapping fine sediments and particles with their leaves; 2) they stabilize the lagoon bottom with their roots; 3) they provide habitat for the fish, crustaceans and shellfish that thrive within the lagoon; 4) they provide a habitat for organisms that grow on them and serve as food sources for many marine animals; and, most importantly, 5) they are nursery areas for many species of marine life, over 80 of which are vital to the local fish and shellfish industries. Within the IRL, moderate SAV coverage extends south of Sebastian Inlet to Johns Island. Due to reduced water quality, SAV communities are sparse north of the 17th Street Bridge and within the City limits of Vero Beach. In Indian River County, the most extensive and lush beds of seagrasses are found just north of the Indian River -St. Lucie County line. Figures 8.20 (A -G) identify the location and relative abundance of seagrasses within the IRL. There are seven (7) species of seagrasses within the M. In relative order of abundance, these grasses are manatee grass (Syringodium Filiforme), shoal grass, (Halodule wrightii), Johnson's grass (Halophila johnsonii), turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), star grass, (Halophila englemanni) and widgeon grass, (Ruppia maritima). These seagrasses are depicted in Figure 8.21. Syringodium is the most abundant seagrass, and is generally densest and most dominant in the mid - depth range of one foot to three feet. Halodule is the second most abundant seagrass, and generally dominates the shallowest zone - just below the intertidal region to a depth of approximately one foot. Ruppia occurs in scattered beds in the shallow regions of the IRL with Halodule. Halophila decipiens is also a relatively abundant SAV species. Thalassia is the most robust species, is supposedly the dominant species in a successional sense, is usually located in the mid -depth range, and is occasionally found at depths down to six (6) feet. The northern limit of Thalassia is the Sebastian Inlet. The species, however, is most often located near the Indian River County -St. Lucie County line. Halophila johnsonni is the rarest species of SAV. Community Development Department Indian River County 62 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.20a Community Development Department Indian River County 63 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.20b Community Development Department Indian River County 64 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.20c Community Development Department Indian River County 65 on SR Gfl x 9 In larrl3iue � �' s 0.5 0 0 5 fford P4 Muss LocatliMapF F 1 ! R Y.. Floridaii� v 4 Indian River County rty'. a Mortality Data cr fi Dense Seagrass ero B ch Slulh Patchy Patchy Seagrass "M GRASS2001 COMPILED IN 2001 BY THE 'nd�an: RtVer�Co fy x n ' Community Development Department Indian River County 65 on SR Gfl x 9 In larrl3iue � �' s 0.5 0 0 5 P4 Muss u Y.. Floridaii� v 4 Indian River County rty'. Mortality Data cr fi Dense Seagrass ero B ch Slulh Patchy Patchy Seagrass "M GRASS2001 COMPILED IN 2001 BY THE 'nd�an: RtVer�Co fy n ' St. Lucie Co t , Y.. . " Community Development Department Indian River County 65 on W E F � �' s 0.5 0 0 5 P4 Muss Ck 80&. Y.. Floridaii� 4 Indian River County Mortality Data fi Dense Seagrass Patchy Patchy Seagrass "M GRASS2001 COMPILED IN 2001 BY THE 'nd�an: RtVer�Co fy S[ JOHNS RNER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT ' St. Lucie Co t , Y.. � 3 Lak wo d Park E FR06RAM =XPRC FCTS\INDIAN VVEI VNIXANRIVMS.EAGRS:: XD 6118 �3 LW :' Community Development Department Indian River County 65 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE 8.21 X, 4 ff Drift Algae (Gracyada spp.) Wigeon Grass jxuppja msj&rn,) ,. '1w to Star Grass [Halophila englen7an0l) Johnsons's Seagrass (H,&1aph,7,gjohnjonr,) T ;. : -- Nr--, Turtle Grass (Thalassic resra&7umJ Shoal Grass (HBIodale wHghVjj - Wood-Gra—Clyde consultants DFAWINC N0: Marshall McCully & ASS06019S - Natural Systems Analysts Manatee Grass (Sydngodium FXfolme) Paddle Grass (HalophAb deciplens) Source: FigureSom Mortis end Tomesko,1"31. Drawn by Debra Mayers. MNCIPAL SEAGFIASS AND MACROALGAE SPECIES OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON Community Development Department Indian River County 66 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element In terms of both diversity and density, SAV communities support over 200 species of fish, making this community the richest fish habitat in the IRL. Pinfish is the species most commonly found in SAV communities. Other prominent species of fish associated with SAV communities include: sea bass, snapper, mojarras, porgies, silver jenny, code goby, grunts and drums. Studies indicate that the relative abundance of fish is positively correlated to the density of SAV. --Conversely, reduced continuity of SAV beds (e.g. discontinuities caused by prop scars) has a negative impact on habitat value (Woodward -Clyde, 1994). - High Salt Marsh A high salt marsh is defined as the area of salt -tolerant wetland vegetation between the MHWL and the annual high tide line. During the fall season when the sea level is higher than the usual peak lunar level, salt marshes are tidally flooded for several weeks. Also, storm tides frequently inundate high salt marshes. Within high salt marshes, typical ground cover species include: smooth cordgrass, saltwort, glasswort, salt grass, and sea daisy. Mangroves may also be present. Much of this salt marsh vegetation serves as a food source for a variety of fish and other marine organisms. While marine species living in the marsh are influenced by the frequency and range of tidal action, salinity, nutrients, soils, dissolved oxygen content, micro -relief, and anthropogenic influences, common species include: killifish, juvenile snook, tarpon, ladyfish, mullet, crabs and shrimp. A variety of wading birds, including herons, egrets, wood storks, and white ibis commonly feed in flooded portions of the high marsh. - Mangrove Swamp Generally, the high salt marsh transcends into intertidal mangrove swamps. Mangrove swamps contain three varieties of mangroves. Red mangroves are typically found below the MHWL of the IRL. Although the red mangrove is by far the most abundant species, occasionally some black and white mangroves may be found. A mangrove fringe is found along most of the undeveloped portions of the IRL shoreline. Rarely do the mangroves extend more than 100 feet landward of the MHWL. In Florida, the critical importance of mangrove detritus or leaf litter as a source of estuarine productivity has been well documented, and the intertidal community is the principal contributor to this process. To some degree, many commercial and sport finfish and shellfish resources of the Indian River are dependent upon this nutrient base. Like all wetland communities which occupy the land -water transition, intertidal mangroves are extremely valuable fish and wildlife habitat. Over 100 species of crustaceans and fish have been found to be dependent on the high marsh and the mangrove swamp habitats within Indian River County. Mangroves also provide habitat for the endangered saltmarsh snake, river otters, raccoons, and bobcats, as well as roosting and nesting areas for many colonial waders, pelicans, and cormorants. Fish species associated with the mangrove Community Development Department Indian River County 67 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element swamp community include ladyfish, sheepshead minnow, marsh killifish, mosquitofish, sailfish molly, highfin blenny, and frillfin goby. One species, the Atlantic saltmarsh snake, is restricted to the brackish water environments of the high salt marshes and mangrove swamps of Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River Counties. The species is at risk from habitat destruction and the construction of freshwater ponds which become habitat for the "reproductively compatible" banded water snake. Over time, mangroves have demonstrated the ability to trap, hold and, to some extent, stabilize intertidal sediments. The present view of mangroves is that they function not as "land builders" but as "stabilizers" of sediments. Such stabilization of sediment is possible only where strong waves and currents do not exist. Although mangroves are susceptible to hurricane damage, they provide considerable protection to areas on their landward side. The degree of this protection is roughly proportional to the width of the mangrove zone. While narrow fringing forests offer minimal protection, extensive stands of mangroves not only prevent wave damage, but reduce flooding damage by damming and holding flood water. • Spoil Islands The 49 spoil islands present in Indian River County are the legacy of the dredging of the ICW that took place in the mid -1950's. These islands are owned by the State of Florida, administered by the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (TIITF), and managed by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). In September 1989, a spoil island management plan was completed by the FDNR in conjunction with FIND. Besides exhibiting significant conservation (i.e. bird rookeries), environmental, and recreational qualities, these islands have strong aesthetic value. Although upland vegetation associated with the spoil islands consists of both native and non-native plant species, the value of the islands to the natural environment is associated with providing relatively remote bird rookery sites. As a whole, the spoil islands have increased the surface area of the land -water interface of the intertidal zone. This increased interface has a direct effect on organisms that associate with the intertidal zone or shallow subtidal nearshore bottoms. Where spoil islands emerge from the bottom of the M, many species of aquatic animals (e.g. oyster, clams, shrimp, anchovies, sardines, mor arras, etc.), submerged aquatic vegetation (e.g. shoal grass Halodule wrightii), shoreline plants (e.g. cord grass Spartina spp.), and mangroves are provided with a far greater area for habitation and settlement. An inclusive list of the spoil islands within Indian River County is contained in Table 8.10. Community Development Department Indian River County 68 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Lagoon "Reefs" As gorgonian corals and invertebrate growth attach to hard surfaces such as exposed rock ledges carved from dredged channels, especially the along margins of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), artificial reefs are formed. Other hardened surfaces amenable to reef growth include shipwrecks, pilings, and submerged structures (Woodward -Clyde, 1994). Over 90 species of fish congregate near reefs. Most of these species, such as scorpionfish, cardinalfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, wrass, and parrotfish, are considered primary reef fish and are generally not found near any of the other previously mentioned communities (Woodward -Clyde, 1994). Nearshore Atlantic System The nearshore system is comprised of two main components: the subtidal zone and the surf zone. The surf zone extends from depths of nine (9) feet below the mean low water line (MLWL) to the MLWL, while the subtidal zone extends from depths of approximately nine (9) feet to twenty-five (25) feet below the MLWL. Off the coast of Indian River County, the surf and subtidal zones are characterized by rock/reef development. These nearshore outcrops/reefs function to stabilize the barrier island shoreline by moderating wave action and providing a hard bottom for marine plants and animals. The rock and reef areas have an abundance of marine life. Attached and encrusting algae are common, and many types of invertebrates such as bryozoans, gorgonians, sponges, and ascidians are present. Other invertebrates include polychaetes, mollusks, crustaceans and echinoderms. Sea turtles also forage the reefs. The Coastal Management Element of this plan provides a more detailed account of the nearshore Atlantic system. At least 255 species of fish have been documented on the nearshore reefs of the County. Of these, more than 75 percent are Caribbean reef fish such as grunts, angelfishes, butterfishes, damselfishes, and wrasses. Fish with commercial and sportfish value, such as several species of snappers and groupers, are also found. • Sebastian Inlet Nearly half of all fish species frequenting the inlet are associated with nearshore Atlantic communities, especially reefs. Species found near the inlet include: sharks, moray eels, snake eels, surgeonfish, butterfish, filefish, and boxfish. Commercial Uses of Natural Resources Indian River County's terrestrial and marine resources are used for commercial purposes in a number of ways. While upland communities, such as rangelands, woodlands and prairies, are used to support Community Development Department Indian River County 69 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element such activities as cattle grazing and tree farming, other lands have been cleared for citrus and vegetable crop production. Commercial use of marine resources includes shellfish and finfish harvesting. As mentioned in the Geology and Soils section of this element, sand mining is also a commercial activity that utilizes natural resources. According to the most recent Agricultural Census, there were 47,539 acres of actively cultivated citrus groves in Indian River County in 2004. In that year, 17,263,000 boxes of citrus fruit were harvested, ranking Indian River County 7t' in the state for overall citrus production. In 2006, 2,998 commercial fishing trips resulted in a commercial finfish catch of 841,774 pounds, while 48 commercial fishing trips for invertebrates, such as shrimp and crabs, yielded 9,63 8 pounds of commercial catch. Currently, aquaculture is permitted in waters of the Indian River Lagoon north of the Wabasso Bridge (C.R. 510) to the Sebastian Inlet, east of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and the majority of the lagoon south of the City of Vero Beach extending past the south county line. In Indian River County, aquaculture focuses on the harvest of clams. While 8,400 acres of surface water are presently available for aquaculture in the County, there were 318 acres of active aquaculture leases in the tri -county (Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River counties) area of the Indian River Lagoon in 2006. Community Development Department Indian River County 70 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.22a SHELLFISH HARVESTING AREA CLASSIFICATION UAP 272 (Eftefte. June 12,, 1,907) North Indian: River W2) Shelfth Harvesting Area in Indian River County Community Development Department ]Indian River County 71 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Figure 8.22b SHeLLFISH HARVESTING AMEA CIASSIMATtON MAP #70 (Effective: June 19, 1997) Indian RiverlSt. Lucie (#70) Shellfish Harvesting Area in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties 0LttiVM1wff IM, Tzim e4va LWEND R.WTRICTI&D voce) nmdnez dLWAx. PROHIBITED F-1 UNCILA001FIED om I IWV" Mr M*w $MAP Community Development Department Indian River County 72 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Conservation and Recreational Uses of Natural Resources At the present time, approximately 105,380 acres of conservation and recreational lands in Indian River County are under public ownership or public conservation easement. This land is distributed among federal, state, regional and local governments. Table 8.6 contains a list of such lands currently under public ownership or public conservation easements. In addition to the lands listed in Table 8.6, upland set-aside conservation areas, which have been required by the County since 1991 for new development projects, have been established in residential and non-residential developments throughout the county. The Recreation and Open Space Element provides a detailed inventory of recreation and open space properties and uses in Indian River County. As identified in the Recreation and Open Space Element, "pastoral" open space is open space area set aside for conservation, natural resource protection, or passive use purposes. This includes the county's environmentally sensitive areas, resource based parks, and various conservation areas. TABLE 8.6 PUBLICLY OWNED CONSERVATION AND RECREATIONAL LANDS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Name Acreage Owner Ansin Tract /Canoe Launch Park 28 IRC Archie Carr N.W.R. 75 FDEP/USFWS Blue Cypress Conservation Area 49,890 SJRWMD Captain Forster Hammock Preserve 112 FDEP Cypress Bend Community Preserve (f.k.a. Russell Grove) 47 IRC Corrigan 460 Tract (w/ easement) 458 SJRWMD/IRC Dale Wimbrow/Donald MacDonald Park 74 IRC Fellsmere Water Management Area 10,209 SJRWMD Flinn Tract Conservation Area 37 IRC/SJRWMD/FIND Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area 20,862 SJRWMD Golden Sands Beach Park 18 IRC Green Salt Marsh 16 IRC Hallstrom Farmstead 93 IRC Harmony Oaks Conservation Area 90 IRC Kiwanis-Hobart Park 654 IRC Indian River Blvd. Mitigation Area 114 IRC/State Kennedy PINWR Buffer 24 IRC Korangy Tract 132 IRC Lost Tree Islands Conservation Area 508* IRC/VB/IRS Mills Ranch Conservation Easement 960 Private/SJRWMD North Sebastian Conservation Area 541 IRC/SJRWMD Community Development Department Indian River County 73 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Oslo River&ont C. A. (including south of Oslo Rd) 419 IRC/SJRWMD Oyster Bar Marsh C.A. 96 IRC Padgett Branch Conservation Easements 1,585 Private/IRC Pelican Island N.W.R. 4,860* USFWS Prange Island(s) 27 IRC/VB Rodney Kroegel Homestead 3 IRC Round Island South C.A. 59 IRC Sand Lakes C.A. 1,321 SJRWMD/IRC St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park 10,000 SJRWMD/FDEP Sebastian Harbor Preserve C.A. 163 IRC Sebastian Highlands Scrub C.A. 10 IRC Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area 457 FDEP Sebastian Stormwater Park 176_ SJRWMD Sexton Ranch Conservation Easements 462 Private/IRC South County Park C.A. 10 IRC South Prong Preserve 37 IRC Vero Beach Airport Conservation Area 800 VB Wabasso Scrub 111 IRC TOTAL 105,382 * Includes submerged lands in the Indian River Lagoon. Source: Florida Natural Areas Inventory (2009), Indian River County Environmental Planning Section Upper St. Johns River Basin The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) owns approximately 174,121 acres in the Upper St. Johns River Basin, an area which extends north into Brevard County. Of the total acreage, approximately 80,960 acres are located in Indian River County. Located north of S.R. 60, the Blue Cypress Conservation Area and the Fellsmere Water Management Area contain approximately 60,100 acres (combined). South of S.R. 60, the SJRWMD owns approximately 20,860 acres known as the Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area. • Blue Cypress Conservation Area The Blue Cypress Conservation Area is managed by the SJRWMD for conservation, recreation and water management purposes. This area contains the recently restored Stick Marsh and the Blue Cypress Water Management Area. Species present in the Blue Cypress Conservation Area include: snail kite, blue heron, white ibis, snowy egret, limpkin, wood storks, ospreys and bald eagles. Within the Blue Cypress Conservation Area, recreational opportunities include: hunting, fishing, primitive camping, hiking, bird watching, canoeing, airboating, and powerboating (in designated areas). Community Development Department Indian River County 74 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area The Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area is managed by the SJRWMD for conservation, recreation, and flood control purposes. This area contains a variety of interspersed ecological communities that include: dry prairies, pine flatwoods, hardwood swamps and freshwater marshes. These communities support Florida sandhill cranes, wood storks, caracara, bald eagles, deer, wild turkeys, and feral hogs. Recreational opportunities include: hiking, bicycling, primitive camping, bird watching, canoeing, environmental education, and seasonal hunting. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island as the first National Wildlife refuge. Subsequently, Pelican Island was designated a National Historic Landmark, and in 1970 it was declared part of the National Wilderness System. The boundaries of the refuge are (roughly) Sebastian Inlet to the north, C.R. 510 to the south, Jungle Trail and S.R. AIA to the east, and the ICW to the west. The refuge consists of submerged lands in the IRL lagoon, several mangrove islands, and an upland buffer area of several hundred acres of abandoned citrus groves that are being restored over time to native plant communities endemic to the coastal barrier island. Due to the extensive year-round use by wading birds and pelicans, the island is off-limits to visitors, and boats are required to maintain a minimum distance of 75 feet. In addition to protecting pelican rookeries, the refuge also provides protection for lush submergent aquatic vegetation, shallow water habitat, mangrove fringe, and upland habitat for other colonial nesting birds. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge In 1989, the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) was established as a joint venture between the USFWS, the State of Florida, and local government agencies. Segment 4 of the refuge extends from Golden Sands Park north to the Sebastian Inlet S.R.A. and contains nearly 2.9 miles of the most prolific beaches for turtle nesting in the world. Approximately 1.2 miles, or 41 percent, are currently under public ownership. Passive recreation is allowed within the refuge. Within the refuge, natural communities are in good condition and include coastal strand and maritime hammock. The primary significance of the refuge is its habitat for loggerhead, green, and leatherback species of sea turtles. Overall, the refuge supports approximately eight percent of all loggerhead turtle nesting in Florida, and also supports several other rare plant and animal species such as the Florida beach mouse. Community Development Department Indian River County 75 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Conservation Lands Acquired By Indian River County In 1990, Indian River County established an Environmental Lands Program for the acquisition and management of significant environmental lands. As part of that program, a Land Acquisition Advisory Committee (LAAC) was created to advise the Board of County Commissioners on environmental land acquisition matters. The LAAC consists of 18 members, representing diverse interests. To establish procedures for site evaluation and acquisition, the Board adopted an Environmental Lands Program Guide. In November 1992, county voters approved a $26 million bond (ad valorem tax) referendum for the acquisition of environmental lands. An additional $50 million in bonding authority was approved in 2004. That action also expanded the program to include historic properties and agricultural protection/conservation easements. Since 1990, Indian River County has acquired or contributed to the acquisition of 37 sites, totaling approximately 12,000 acres. Table 8.6 identifies the properties acquired under the County Environmental Lands Program, including acres acquired by plant community type. Figure 8.23 shows the general location of lands acquired by Indian River County. Recreational Parks At the present time, there are 32 public parks and recreation areas located within unincorporated Indian River County. These parks and recreation areas are depicted in Figure 8.24. A more detailed description of the parks and recreational facilities within Indian River County is contained in the Recreation and Open Space Element. Community Development Department Indian River County 76 Comprehensive Plan 8.23 ...................... Conservation Element c M i m -o Community Development Department Indian River County 77 � .0 � t x tY■,s�;��iJF si ��ii�,,�■■;��i�� , � s � , 3 r 5w r CPQ 'sx iVimn ,■ ��us � a�� '�� H x' f�'��-�� g� '; y� �(� ��+Iw'i• ' Irl �� a=; E2! .c^ 'ii Rix.-r'Fc:��Ir wJ/N, MA,iil�7. d■alK�csz' k��y: 1A. r AIXI t � t �.k. � ! �J ■ LL3 ■ � r J' c M i m -o Community Development Department Indian River County 77 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element 8.24 ...................... Community Development Department Indian River County 78 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Oceanfront Parks Overall, approximately 22,874 linear feet, or 19.2 percent of the County's oceanfront property, is under public ownership. Detailed information regarding oceanfront parks and public accesses is referenced in the Coastal Management Element and the Recreation and Open Space Element. Of the eleven oceanfront parks in the county, the most utilized is the Sebastian Inlet State Recreational Area (S.R.A.) Owned by the State and operated by the FDEP, the park is divided between Brevard County to the north of Sebastian Inlet and Indian River County to the south. Approximately 457 acres of the park lie within Indian River County. This includes over 8,000 linear feet of shoreline. Sebastian Inlet S.R.A. is also considered part of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Of the eleven oceanfront parks in the county, Indian River County owns and operates six. Four parks, Ambersand Beach Park, Treasure Shores Park, Golden Sands Park, and Wabasso Beach Park, are located on the northern one-third (1/3) of the barrier island. While two public accesses, Seagrape Trail and Turtle Trail, are located on the northern portion of the island, Tracking Station Park is located within the Town of Indian River Shores. Round Island Park is located near the south County line. The City of Vero Beach owns and maintains four public oceanfront parks. These include: Jaycee Park, Conn Beach, Humiston Beach Park, and South Beach Park. An inclusive listing of the public access points located in the City of Vero Beach is contained in the Coastal Management Element. Improvements and facilities associated with these parks are discussed in the Recreation and Open Space Element. Additionally, public access and shoreline issues are discussed in detail in the Coastal Management Element and the Recreation and Open Space Element. TABLE 8.7 PUBLICLY OWNED OCEANFRONT LANDS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY OCEANFRONT PARKS PUBLICLY -OWNED SHORELINE (linear feet) Sebastian Inlet S.R.A 8,000 (portion in IRC) Indian River County 7,620 City of Vero Beach 3,251 Public Accesses 520 SUB -TOTAL 19,391 UNIMPROVED Archie Carr N.W.R. 1,853* Capt. Forster Hammock Preserve 1,550 SUB -TOTAL 3,403 TOTAL 22,874 feet (4.33 miles) *Land in addition to County Parks and the Sebastian Inlet S.R.A Community Development Department Indian River County 79 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Riverfront Parks Donald McDonald Park and Dale Wimbrow Park are located adjacent to each other on the east side of the St. Sebastian River. They have a combined size of 74 acres. Located near the South County line on both the west and east sides of State Road AlA, Round Island Park is a ±95 acre county -owned park. Recent improvements made to the river side of the park include: replacement of a one -lane boat ramp with a two-lane ramp, construction of fishing piers, and installation of manatee awareness signage. A walkway to Round Island and an observation tower have also been constructed. Wabasso Island River Park consists of 51 acres of land located on the IRL along the C.R. 510 causeway. This park and the surrounding waters are among the most popular sites for on -water recreational activities in the county. Improvements at the park include picnic pavilions, a boat ramp, stabilized parking areas, restroom facilities, and an informational kiosk. Located northeast of Grand Harbor marina on South Sister Island (Spoil Island # IR -25), Boat Club Island Park contains three docks and a picnic table. This park is owned by the State and managed by the County. Joe S. Earman Park is a 4 acre park located on the northern tip of the Lost Tree Islands (on Spoil Island #28). This park contains picnic facilities and a temporary docking facility. Two parks with access to inland waters are located within the City limits of Vero Beach. Riverside - Memorial Island Park is located on the barrier island west of S.R. AIA. The city of Vero Beach manages the 52 acre park extensively for recreational use. MacWilliams -Boat Basin Park is located on Orchid Island, north of the Merrill -Barber Bridge. Within the City of Sebastian, Riverview Park and Main Street Riverfront Park have access to the IRI.,. Each park has a boat ramp with two lanes. As previously mentioned, the IRI., is also accessible from the Sebastian Inlet S.R.A. Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves Aquatic preserves are exceptional areas of submerged lands and associated waters recognized by the State that are to be maintained in their existing or natural condition. Of the 40 aquatic preserves statewide, two are located in the portion of the IRL lying in Indian River County: Aquatic Preserve Number 7 (Malabar to Vero Beach) and Aquatic Preserve A-9 (Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce). Both aquatic preserves are depicted in Figure 8.25. Community Development Department Indian River County 80 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element The major objectives of the FDEP's aquatic preserve management program are to manage the preserves to ensure the maintenance of an essentially natural condition and to restore and enhance those preserves which are not in natural condition. Aquatic preserve management also takes into consideration public recreational opportunities while assuring the continued propagation of fish and wildlife. In the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, boating is the major recreational use. Other recreational opportunities include fishing, clamming, and nature appreciation. Additional information regarding water -dependent uses and boating issues is contained in the Coastal Management Element. As described in the "ecological communities" section of this element, the Indian River Lagoon consists of a variety of natural communities important to the survival of many estuarine species. Community Development Department Indian River County 81 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE 8.25 R; AQUATIC PRESERVES 6 IN f t•. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY l '2• f.: t'4i /a{nh?' AOuetls Preserve Waters om P' 0 1 2 9 e MILES AOUATIC PRESERVE No. 7 •''"s' r (SOUTH HALF) Malabar to Vero Beach w 7 ' r 7 Z w a 0 0 0 7 Z l N IQ AOUATIC PRESERVE A-0 Vero Beech to Fort Pierce Nt ecurce: Dept. or Moturol Resources Aprtt 4, 1997 F3OL./IE� °� 'fie INDIAN RIVER COUNTY erAa-eerr�p txrwrsrror, e7 VLMOA DEM 00 ooka FLORIDA AnAeu Community Development Department Indian River County 82 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Spoil Islands Spoil islands are valuable conservation areas that provide important bird rookery and other habitat values. In Indian River County, major bird rookeries are located on the following islands: Riomar Island (IR -32), Johns Island Spoil, Duck Point Islands, and Pelican Island. While Riomar Island is located just north of the 17th Street Bridge in Vero Beach, the Johns Island Spoil includes two dredged spoil islands west of Johns Island. The Duck Point Spoil Islands are located north of C.R. 510 and just west of the ICW. Pelican Island, the County's premier bird rookery, is a natural feature. In Indian River County, spoil islands are also utilized for recreational purposes by boaters for picnicking. On some of the islands, overnight camping is allowed. The location of the spoil islands is depicted in Figures 8.26 (A -B). Listed in Table 8.8 is an inclusive inventory of the Spoil Islands of Indian River County and their designated use. Community Development Department Indian River County 83 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element FIGURE .826a Community Development Department Indian River County 84 0 z LOCATION OF SPOIL ISLANDS SIR -1 IN INDIAN RIVER ISLAND (NORTHERN COUNTY) IR -2 % 9�c %IR -3 •, IR4 �o O 0 "'•., IR -5 ' IR -6 .IR -8 esti e• 4R-9A� a ' s'sIR-10 I............ Intracoastal Waterway IR -I1 e` (12 Foot Project Depth) IR -12 d IR -1133 IR -14 IR -15A, IR -16 • \ �� IR -17 "IR 18 ° LJ SEBASTIAN ; IR-19�•'• •• `•� ORCHID' �,!'C �►;.�°° IR -21'0 a N 9 C.A. s+o IR -22 INDIAN RIVER 7.1 SHORES Z� O 1/4 1/2 1 Y114 � SCALE d IR -23C pv O � 1 � IR -24A z IR -24B DATE: SEPT. 1997 Community Development Department Indian River County 84 Comprehensive Plan FIMIIRF AM -t Conservation Element Community Development Department Indian River County 85 lk� �) - IR -25 IR -26A 26� IR 26 LOCATION OF SPOIL ISLANDS IN INDIAN RIVER ISLAND �I (SOUTHERN COUNTY) IR -27C IR -27B IR -27A r •..� IR -29 1 1 �.---� c ••••1••••..' Intracoastal Waterway e G (12 Foot ProJect Depth) 61 =IR -321 s.R.ao n IR -33 —17th se. ErIeE• 0 1/e 1/2 i tlll. 1IR-34SC AIE s IR-354� C.R. e 1 IR 36% f Z� o O ,IR -37 n ®IR -38 0.1. Ra. DIR-39 Q IR -40 a IR -41 %IR -42 s^( I N D I A N N I V E R D e N ' * $IR -43 t. e C 1 E C o Y N T Y DATE: SEPT. 1997 Community Development Department Indian River County 85 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8.8 SPOIL ISLANDS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Name Location IR -1 330 yards SW of Marker 62 IR -2 605 yards NW of -Marker 65 IR -3 200 yards W of Marker 66 IR -4 330 yards E of Marker 66 IR -5 275 yards E of Marker 66 IR -6 100 yards E of Marker 67 IR -8 500 yards S of Marker 68 IR -9A 275 yards NW of Marker 69 IR -913 270 yards W of Marker 69 IR -10 500 yards SE of Marker 69 IR -11 600 yards NW of Marker 70 IR -12. 200 yards SW of Marker 70 IR -13 100 yards S of Marker 70 IR -14 600 yards S of Marker 70 IR -15 400 yards SW of Marker 73 IR -16 700 yards S of Marker 73 IR -17 300 yards W of Marker 74 IR -18 200 yards SW of Marker 74 IR -19 500 yards S of Marker 74 IR -21 50 yards W of Marker 85 IR -22 165 yards SE of Marker 100 IR -23C 100 yards SW of Marker 110 IR -24A 360 yards W of Marker 116 IR -24B 275 yards NW of Marker 118 IR -25A 70 yards SW of Marker 118 IR -25B 86 yards SW of Marker 118 IR -25 110 yards NW of Marker 120 IR -26A 69 yards SW of Marker 120 IR -26B 155 yards NW of Marker 121 IR -26 140 yards W of Marker 121 IR -27A 60 yards E of Marker 126 IR -27B 70 yards SE of Marker 125 IR -27C 75 yards E of Marker 125 IR -28 69 yards E of Marker 130 IR -29 50 yards E of Marker 133 IR -32 137 yards E of Marker 143 IR -33 64 yards SE of Marker 145A IR -34 165 yards NW of Marker 146A IR -34A 64 yards W of Marker 146A IR -35 385 yards SE of Marker 149 _ IR -36 385 yards NE of Marker 153 IR -37A 144 yards SW of Marker 152 IR -37 220 yards W of Marker 154 IR -38 605 yards SE of Marker 155 IR -39 275 yards SW of Marker 158 IR -40 330 yards SW of Marker 160 IR -41 550 yards SW of Marker 161 Desienated Usage Recreation Recreation Conservation Recreation Recreation Education/Recreation Conservation Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation/Education Recreation Conservation Recreation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation Recreation Recreation Conservation Conservation Recreation Conservation Conservation Education/Recreation Recreation Conservation Conservation Conservation Conservation/Education Conservation Community Development Department Indian River County 86 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element IR -42 275 yards W of Marker 166 Recreation IR -43 200 yards W of Marker 168A Recreation In addition to publicly -owned lands and submerged lands, there are privately owned environmental lands in Indian River County that are protected by conservation easements. These conservation easements amount to over 900 acres of wetlands and over 120 acres of upland communities, respectively. Table 8.9 contains a partial list of conservation easements held by Indian River County. TABLE 8.9 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND PRIVATELY OWNED CONSERVATION AND RECREATIONAL LANDS HELD IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Name/Location Ecological Community Wetland Acreage Upland Acreage Orchid Isle Estates Salt Marsh 275 N/A Grand Harbor Development Salt Marsh 241 N/A RiverPointe Subdivision Salt Marsh 29 N/A Grove Isle Subdivision Salt Marsh 27 N/A Copeland's Landing Subdivision Salt Marsh 23 N/A Indian River Club Subdivision Xeric Scrub / Freshwater Wetlands 27 13 Bent Pine Subdivision Flatwoods N/A 11 Seaview Subdivision Coastal Strand N/A 9 Windsor Development Coastal Hammock N/A 8 Disney's Vero Beach Resort Coastal Strand N/A 7 Indian River Mall Cabbage Palm Hammock / Slough 34 5 McKee Jungle Gardens Tropical Flora N/A 18 River Park Place Salt Marsh 15 N/A Hoffman Mitigation Tract Salt Marsh 35 N/A Corrigan Sand Mine Flatwoods N/A 45 Red Stick Golf Course Flatwoods/Freshwater Wetlands 24 47 Regency Park Flatwoods N/A 40 Valencia Point Subdivision Flatwoods N/A 14 Lost Tree Preserve Sand Pine Scrub/ Freshwater Wetlands 13 36 Falcon Trace Flatwoods / Freshwater Wetlands 9 6 Bristol Bay Salt Marsh 14 N/A Millstone PD Flatwoods / Freshwater Wetlands 10 5 Waterway Village PD Flatwoods / Freshwater Wetlands 20 66 • Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast In March 2004, Governor Bush signed Executive Order 04-61, creating the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC). The Committee was established "to study the challenges and opportunities facing the [Treasure Coast] region and to recommend actions and tools that could be used to maintain a sustainable quality of life within the region." The Committee's final report (in September 2005) identifies the following "principles" for sustaining quality natural systems in the region: Community Development Department Indian River County 87 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Principle 1: The Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is fully implemented. Principle 2: A viable, healthy and connected network of natural systems is protected throughout the region. Principle 3: The right quantity and quality of water is available to sustain natural systems. Principle 4: The air remains clean. Principle 5: Land use planning, development regulations, and design standards support healthy natural systems. Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program CCMP Update In February 2008, the IRL National Estuary Program adopted an update to its 1996 IRL Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The update indicates that 11 years of implementation activities under the original CCMP have resulted in a "remarkable amount" of progress toward restoration and protection of the lagoon. Since the original CCMP's development, however, new issues and threats to the lagoon, such as climate change, toxic algae and exotic invasive fauna and flora, have emerged. In the 2008 update, 68 recommended actions in the original CCMP were evaluated. A summary table of the IRL CCMP 2008 update is included in the appendix of this element. Air Ouality The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is responsible for monitoring air quality conditions throughout the state. From 1983 to 1986, total suspended particulates (TSP) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were monitored by the FDEP at three (3) locations in the County. Data collected were well below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, indicating that air pollution was not a significant problem in Indian River County. Due to the superior air quality of Indian River County, monitoring was terminated after 1986. Localized problems with air quality do occasionally arise. Most, however, can be attributed to brush fires, wood recycling/ mulching operations, or burning of land clearing debris associated with new construction projects. In 1994, a Radon Protection Map was developed for Indian River County by the University of Florida. Based on this map, the only portion of the County identified as having an "elevated radon potential" is an area in the City Limits of Vero Beach and its immediate vicinity. New construction located within this area of elevated radon potential must incorporate passive or active radon control features, as applicable. Community Development Department Indian River County 88 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Hazardous Wastes Hazardous waste is defined as waste, or a combination of wastes which, because of its quantity, concentration, physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, may cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness or may pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly transported, disposed of, stored, treated, or otherwise managed. The Indian River County Utilities Department is responsible for planning and management of solid waste facilities serving the county, ensuring that existing facilities are operated in conformance with water quality regulations. Currently, the County receives household hazardous waste (HHW) at the sanitary landfill, as well as the five transfer stations located throughout the County. The locations of these facilities are depicted in Figure 3.C.1 in the Solid Waste Sub -Element of the Comprehensive Plan. In 2005, the Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD) recorded a total of 74,820 pounds of hazardous waste collected from its five transfer stations and the County landfill. In compliance with requirements of Section 403.723, F. S., Indian River County maintains a facility at the County Landfill for the collection, temporary storage, and transfer of household hazardous waste. That storage and processing facility is designed to contain HHW materials. Once collected, hazardous waste material is transported out of the County by a licensed private hauler. Consistent with state regulations, hazardous wastes are not knowingly disposed of in the landfill. Because household hazardous wastes are unregulated, however, a considerable amount of hazardous materials, such as paints, motor oil, automotive fluids, and batteries, are discarded into the regular waste stream. For that reason, the amount of hazardous waste generated is difficult to quantify. For hazardous waste generated by commercial and industrial sources, each generator must contract with a licensed hazardous waste hauler for disposal of such materials at -an authorized disposal site. In compliance with the Federal Superfund Reauthorization Act (SARA) - Title III Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act (42 U.S.C. 1100 1) requirements, the Indian River County Department of Emergency Services maintains an up to date inventory of the type, amount, and location of all commercial and industrial hazardous waste- generators in the county. The Solid Waste Sub -Element describes in detail the regulatory framework associated with solid waste management. That sub -element also contains information relating to solid waste generation, processing and disposal, resource recovery and recycling, solid waste management funding, and hazardous waste management practices. Community Development Department Indian River County 89 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Superfund Site(s) Currently, the Piper Aircraft facility is the only Superfund site listed in the county. Four additional sites in the County have been identified as contaminated by leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs). Abandoned Dump Sites and Illegal Dumping Abandoned dump sites are closed landfills and specific locations where wastes were dumped in the past or are being dumped illegally. In cooperation with the Environmental Health Department (Florida Department of Health), the County's Code Enforcement Section handles complaints regarding illegal dumping in the unincorporated county. The full extent of illegal dumping, however, is difficult to determine and has not been quantified. Community Development Department Indian River County 90 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element ANALYSIS The purpose of this analysis section is to assess the existing conditions that have been identified and to identify current problems and future needs relating to conservation issues. Those problems and needs then form the basis for developing a set of conservation goals, objectives, and policies. Soil Erosion Over time, soil erosion has the potential to inflict damage on the natural environment and to cause economic losses. In Indian River County, economic losses attributed to soil erosion include: reduced agricultural productivity, increased maintenance costs, reduced habitat value for wildlife, reduced harvesting of fish and shellfish, and aesthetic problems. When fertile topsoil is removed, the agricultural productivity of soils is reduced. As fertile topsoil is removed, agricultural operations must offset the loss of natural productivity by inputting a greater amount of energy, in the form of artificial fertilizer. This, in turn, raises the cost of production. Furthermore, fertilizer nutrients are transported by runoff, thereby reducing the quality of surface waters. Within Indian River County, the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD) offers assistance to agricultural operators in developing soil conservation plans. Although implementing a soil conservation plan is voluntary, agricultural operators that adopt a plan are eligible to participate in federal incentive programs. Other economic benefits may include an increased yield per acre ratio. Generally, a soil conservation plan is designed to minimize soil erosion through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs). According to a SJRWMD report, non-structural BMPs, such as soil conservation plans, land use planning, preservation of wetlands and floodplains, and education, are cost effective erosion control measures. The following reductions of pollutants were attributed to the two most common structural BMPs: a vegetated conveyance system (grassed swale) and a wet pond. TABLE 8.10 POLLUTANT REMOVAL EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMON NON-STRUCTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs) water quality parameter grassed swale wet retention pond total nitrogen 15% 30% total phosphorous 30% 50% biological oxygen demand 45% 60% total suspended solids 80% 80% flow 20% 25% (evaporation) Community Development Department Indian River County 91 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element While the listed reductions were attributed to each BMP individually, the combined use of several BMPs results in even more efficient removal of pollutants. In terms of water quality, stormwater runoff from agricultural operations, runoff from sites that have been cleared for development, and runoff from unpaved roads contribute to the deposit of sediment in the drainage canal network. Because of that sedimentation, more frequent maintenance of drainage canals and more dredging of manmade canals associated with riverfront subdivisions are necessary and costly. On sandy soils and muck soils found in Indian River County, wind erosion is a potential problem, especially during the dry winter months. This wind-borne soil erosion has the potential to damage agricultural crops by sand blasting, spreading plant diseases, insects and weed seeds, and reducing soil fertility. Within the county, localized air quality problems can be attributed to wind-borne soil erosion from areas that have been denuded of vegetation. Negative impacts can include health hazards and cleaning problems. Identifying specific wind erosion problem areas in the county is difficult, in that the occurrence of barren soils from urban development or agricultural land clearing is temporary. Therefore, locations of potential erosion problems change regularly over time as planting and development activities occur. Over the past several years, Indian River County has made some advances in the control of soil erosion: o In 2006, the county began requiring stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) on all new commercial developments. o In 2006, the Indian River County Public Works Department created a new stormwater division. The stormwater division educates the public and enforces stormwater and erosion control standards. o In 2007, the county adopted a revised littoral zone planting ordinance. This ordinance requires that vegetation be planted on the edges of stormwater retention ponds to reduce the amount of pollutants in runoff, create natural habitat, and reduce erosion. Those measures taken to combat erosion have had a positive impact on reducing the amount of erosion occurring in the county, and the county should continue to implement those measures. In 2008, County mining regulations were revised to include erosion control requirements. Those include: Community Development Department Indian River County 92 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o A requirement that pollution prevention plans addressing wind and water erosion on mining site plans be approved by County engineering staff prior to Planning and Zoning Commission review; o A requirement that baseline water quality data be collected at project outfall points; o A requirement that applicants monitor discharge at outfall points to ensure no increase in levels of turbidity at outfall points; and o A requirement that comprehensive dust control plans be approved as part of mining site plans. Going forward, the County should continue to implement and enforce these new mining regulations to reduce soil erosion. In addition to addressing soil erosion associated with development, Indian River County has also taken several steps to combat beach erosion: o Adopted a Beach Preservation Plan (BPP). The purpose of the plan is to ensure continued monitoring of areas of critical beach erosion and to identify areas of beach that are the best candidates for renourishment projects. o Constructed a Prefabricated Erosion Prevention reef (PEP reef) just offshore of Vero Beach. Since the construction of the PEP reef, beach profile surveys have shown that the shoreline has stabilized within the area of the PEP reef. o Completed two large-scale beach restoration projects. In 2003, approximately 500,000 cubic yards of sand dredged from offshore were placed along 2.2 miles of beach in the northern end of the County. In 2007, approximately 375,000 cubic yards of sand were distributed along two miles of beach in the south county. Despite these efforts, beach erosion is an ongoing concern. While beach erosion control measures have been taken to control `normal' beach erosion, issues such as climate change and sea level rise may lead to more severe coastal erosion in the future. Also, increases in strong tropical storms and hurricane activity along Florida's coasts increase the likelihood of catastrophic erosion events. In light of anticipated increases in erosion due to sea level rise, climate change, and hurricanes, the county should have policies that address the protection of coastal properties. These policies should include: o An evaluation of the county's current Dune Stabilization Setback Line (DSSL) and consideration of relocating the DSSL westward from its current location (i.e., the 1981 Coastal Construction Control Line). The DSSL is the County's "line of prohibition," serving Community Development Department Indian River County 93 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element as the easternmost building setback line from the ocean, with the exception of beach access dune crossovers that are allowed east of the line. o A requirement that substantially damaged oceanfront structures in nonconforming "footprints" be relocated westward, in compliance with current coastal regulations, even when such structures are substantially damaged during declared natural disasters. While on-site disposal systems (OSDS) associated with oceanfront homes are more vulnerable to potential erosion impacts than OSDS on inland home sites, state OSDS regulations address this potential problem by requiring that such systems, if they fail, be brought up to current standards and setbacks or otherwise be replaced by public sewer, where available. Since state regulations address this issue, no local policies are needed regarding OSDS associated with oceanfront homes. Water Resources Surface Water The Stormwater Management Sub -Element provides a detailed account of water quality issues in Indian River County. Following is brief summary of the sub -element: ➢ Urban drainage systems often consist of impermeable, enclosed structures, such as pipes and culverts which collect substantial amounts of runoff from impervious, "urbanized" areas. Water quality from urban runoff is often of poor quality, since little, if any, natural filtration or percolation occurs. ➢ Stormwater runoff carrying pollutants to the IRL from urban development can be reduced through the proper use of on-site retention facilities and best management practices (BMPs). ➢ Wetlands associated with the St. Sebastian River and the Indian River Lagoon serve an important function by reducing the flow of pollutants. ➢ Where mosquito impoundments have been connected to the lagoon, they contribute to enhanced water quality and marine habitat for the benefit of estuarine organisms. ➢ The Upper St. Johns River Basin restoration project, a cooperative effort between the ACOE and the SJRWMD, was recently completed. This project has improved the flood storage capacity of the Basin, and restored lands back to their historic configuration. The completed Basin project has decreased the amount of freshwater inflow (particularly during major storm events) to the St. Sebastian River and Indian River Lagoon via the C-54 canal, thus contributing to improved water quality in estuarine waters. Community Development Department Indian River County 94 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element ➢ Data from an IRLNEP study rate the non -point source discharges from Indian River County (Segment 3) as a significant impact to water quality of the IRL. ➢ In addition to non -point source loadings, discharge from on-site (septic) disposal systems (OSDS) also presents a threat to the water quality of the IRL. Areas of particular concern for reducing OSDS discharge are residential developments with OSDS proximate to the Indian River Lagoon. • Upper St. Johns River Basin In 1988, the SJRWMD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) began construction of the Upper St. Johns River Basin Project to restore and enhance more than 150,000 acres of marshes in Indian River and Brevard counties. The $200 million project, considered one of the largest wetland restoration projects in the world, is targeted to be completed by 2010. The SJRWMD describes the Upper Basin project as a semi -structural system of water management areas (WMAs), marsh conservation areas (MCAs), and marsh restoration areas. The project is designed to: provide flood control; improve water quality; reduce freshwater discharges to the Indian River lagoon; provide water supplies; and restore..and enhance wetland habitat. The project also provides public recreational opportunities, including boating, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing and hunting. Since 1996, the SJRWMD and the USACOE have progressed in implementing the Upper Basin project, which is near completion. As a result, environmental conditions and recreational opportunities in the Upper Basin have improved. With the recent acquisition of +6,000 acres from Fellsmere Joint Venture, the SJRWMD will initiate a +10,000 acre floodplain restoration project - the Fellsmere Water Management Area (FWMA) - associated with the Upper Basin. The FWMA project will produce public benefits by providing treatment for agricultural runoff, while reducing the occurrence of freshwater releases through the C-54 canal to the Indian River Lagoon. The FWMA project will also provide flood protection benefits; create wetland habitat; and provide more public recreation opportunities for fishing, nature study and boating. According to the SJRWMD, another purpose of the FWMA project is to increase the reliability of the St. Johns River for water supply withdrawals and to ensure that downstream minimum flows (in Brevard County and north) are met. Consequently, the FWMA will enhance water supply on a regional basis, as well as increase alternative water supply opportunities in Indian River County. Overall, the Upper St. Johns River Project provides many public benefits, both locally and regionally, and the County's policy should be to continue to support restoration and management efforts associated with the Upper Basin. Community Development Department Indian River County 95 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o Indian River Lagoon Between 1996 and 2007, Indian River Lagoon water quality remained fairly constant. Within the lagoon, water quality is measured at various points. At each point, water quality generally fluctuates within established ranges. Recently, water quality at several water monitoring stations showed improvement. This improvement may be the result of several recent water quality projects, including muck dredging in the St. Sebastian River; construction of sub -regional stormwater treatment facilities in Vero Lake Estates, Gifford and Roseland; and improved sedimentation and erosion control practices through County implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Act. Once completed, several projects that are currently under construction will contribute even more to water quality improvement. These projects include the Egret Marsh and Spoonbill Marsh water treatment projects, as well as the Main Relief Canal Pollution Control Facility. In 1996, the portion of the Indian River Lagoon from approximately Grand Harbor south to the south county line was a "Class III" waterbody. In 2008, the portion of the lagoon from the northern tip of Round Island south to the south county line was upgraded to a "Class 11" waterbody. At the same time, water quality was downgraded from "Class II" to "Class III" from the North Relief Canal south to the northern limits of the city of Vero Beach. The slight increase in water quality in the lagoon indicates that water quality improvement projects are having a positive effect. For that reason, the County should consider construction of pollution control facilities in the North and South Relief canals, using series screening methodology similar to the Main Relief canal project. In that vein, the County should continue its policy of seeking funds through Section 319 Grants, Snook Tag grants, the Surface Water Improvement Management (SWIM) program, and other funding sources for stormwater management and pollution control projects that benefit lagoon water quality. In the future, the County should analyze water quality measurements taken throughout the Indian River Lagoon to assess the specific effects that water improvement projects are having. Going forward, the county should work with other agencies, not only to monitor water quality results, but also to identifij new water quality improvement project sites. In 1990, the County adopted land development regulations requiring shoreline protection buffers along the St. Sebastian River and along the aquatic preserves in the Indian River Lagoon. The regulations prohibit development, excepti for docks, boat ramps, pervious walkways and elevated walkways which provide riparian access for landowners, within the protection buffers. Since 1990, the shoreline buffers have been applied to all parcels along the rivers, even those parcels that are platted lots with seawalls and no pre-existing shoreline vegetation. In the future, the County should continue its policy of requiring shoreline protection buffers, but should consider exempting existing platted lots with seawalls from the requirement, since applying the buffer in such circumstances does not serve the intent of the regulation. Community Development Department Indian River County 96 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element In the IRL National Estuary Program's 2008 update to the IRL Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), there are various recommended actions to address issues that affect the lagoon. These actions include eradication of invasive flora and fauna, reduction of sedimentation, and assessment of potential climate change impacts to lagoon resources. Going forward, the County should revise its policies to include those actions recommended in the CCMP update. • St. Sebastian River From 1996 to 2007, water quality in the St. Sebastian River remained unchanged. As in 1996, current water quality within the St. Sebastian River fails to meet the designation of Class III (swimming and fishing). Recently, a river -dredging project began in the St. Sebastian River. This project will result in the removal of two million cubic yards of muck from the river bottom and will likely lead to improved water quality. Currently, the SJRWMD is working on plans for a stormwater park south of Micco Road in Brevard County, similar to the recently completed Sebastian Stormwater Park. When complete, the Sebastian Stormwater Park will reduce total suspended solids entering the South Prong annually by an estimated 173,180 pounds. In combination with the Sebastian Stormwater Park, the stormwater park in Micco will reduce the amount of sediment flowing into the St. Sebastian River and ultimately reduce the amount of muck reaching the lagoon. In 2006, the County adopted a conceptual management plan for the St. Sebastian River Greenway. The St. Sebastian River Greenway extends from approximately one mile south of CR 510 (85a' Street), northward along the South Prong, to the river's intersection with the C-54 Canal at the north county line (approximately five miles). The purpose of the greenway plan is to conserve river resources while affording an opportunity for public access along the greenway's length. In implementing the greenway plan, the County has acquired conservation lands to provide a buffer to the St. Sebastian River and to enhance recreational access opportunities along the river. In the future, the County's policy should be to continue to acquire land within the greenway corridor and to develop a greenway trail along the corridor. Groundwater The Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge (NGAR) Sub -Element of the Comprehensive Plan provides a detailed description and analysis of conditions relating to both the surficial aquifer and Floridan aquifer. As described in the NGAR Sub -Element, the Floridan aquifer will play an increasingly important role in augmenting water supplies from the surficial aquifer as population growth continues to increase at a healthy pace in Indian River County. Nevertheless, maintaining the water quality of the surficial aquifer is still an important concern since it continues to be the main source of potable water for the City of Vero Beach and for residents utilizing private wells. Community Development Department Indian River County 97 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Surficial Aquifer The Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge and the Ten Mile Ridge are the primary recharge areas of the surficial aquifer. These areas, therefore, warrant protection to preserve permeability and to guard against potential hazardous pollutant discharges into the surficial aquifer. Another important recharge area for the surficial aquifer is the inter -ridge area between the Ten Mile Ridge and the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge. Within the inter -ridge area, freshwater wetlands contribute to the cleansing of surface water that replenishes groundwater supplies. Preservation of wetlands in that area therefore benefits the water quality of the surficial aquifer. Historically, water levels above sea level have prevented lateral intrusion of saltwater in the coastal areas from infiltrating the potable water zone of the surficial aquifer. In the past, however, excessive pumping has lowered water levels enough to cause saltwater intrusion in some parts of the county, especially those areas proximate to the Indian River Lagoon. Overall, chloride concentrations from most wells that tap the surficial aquifer system in the Vero Beach well field have remained relatively unchanged since the early 1980s. Within Indian River County, the close proximity of the surficial aquifer to the ground surface increases the risk of groundwater contamination from potentially hazardous land uses. This became apparent when industrial contamination was discovered in six of the City of Vero Beach's public supply wells near the City of Vero Beach Airport in the late -1980s. Since the City has remediated those impacts, however, the spread of contamination has been controlled, and groundwater contamination levels have decreased substantially. To prevent contamination of the surficial aquifer, the County, in 1990, adopted a Wellfield and Aquifer Protection ordinance (LDR Chapter 931). LDR Chapter 931 established a special overlay district, the Surficial Aquifer Primary Recharge Overlay District (SAPROD), to protect surficial aquifer recharge areas proximate to the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge. Land uses, such as junk yards and landfills, are prohibited from locating in the SAPROD. Also, hazardous wastes, excavation and stormwater ponds are regulated within the SAPROD. Furthermore, LDR Chapter 931 requires abandoned flow wells to be plugged in conjunction with site development, and requires minimum setbacks for developments from public supply wells. Going forward, the County's policy should be to continue to implement and enforce these regulations. Through its Excavation and Mining ordinance (LDR Chapter 934), the County prohibits dewatering within 1,000 feet of a platted subdivision not serviced by public water. Moreover, a maximum excavation depth of 25 feet above mean sea level (MSL) is required for mining operations located on the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge. These regulations serve to protect surficial aquifer water supply. As such, the County's policy should be to continue to apply these requirements. Community Development Department Indian River County 98 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element - Floridan Aquifer Overall, the Floridan aquifer is naturally higher in concentration of chlorides than the surficial aquifer. For that reason, water supplied from the Floridan aquifer must be treated by reverse osmosis. Compared to treatment of water from the surficial aquifer, treatment costs are considerably higher for water supplied by the Floridan aquifer. Due to the higher yield of the Floridan aquifer and the fact that it is less susceptible to contamination, however, this aquifer has been chosen as the source of water for the County's existing and proposed water treatment plants. Generally, the groundwater aquifer recharge areas for the Floridan aquifer are located in the Osceola Plain west of Blue Cypress Lake. In this portion of the county, future land uses will remain limited to pastoral open space and livestock grazing. As such, land uses in Indian River County will not pose a threat to the water quality of the Floridan aquifer. This area, however, is not considered a "prime recharge area" by the SJRWMD, and its contribution to the replenishment of the Floridan aquifer is relatively minor when compared to aquifer recharge areas in neighboring counties. Therefore, the SJRWMD must coordinate with the counties west and northwest of Indian River County to ensure preservation of this important groundwater resource. The County's policy should be to maintain a low density agricultural land use designation in the Floridan aquifer recharge area. The Sebastian Freshwater Lens is a confined pocket of potable water within the Floridan aquifer. The confining layers of the Sebastian Freshwater Lens prevent recharge of the aquifer as well as intrusion of water containing high chloride concentrations. As such, this non -replenishable source of groundwater should be carefully "mined" only for domestic consumption with continual monitoring. The SJRWMD is the lead agency that regulates and monitors consumptive water use in the Sebastian Freshwater Lens. With respect to County policy, the Sebastian Freshwater Lens is in an area designated on the County's future land use map as low-density residential. In the future, the County should maintain that low density land use pattern to deter an increase in water consumption. Water Conservation While the NGAR Sub -Element provides a detailed description and analysis of groundwater conditions and use in Indian River County, the Potable Water Sub -Element provides information on present and projected future demand for potable water in the county. From 1996 to 2007, per capita water consumption in Indian River County increased from 70 gallons per day to 143 gallons per day. During the same time period, agricultural water consumption dropped approximately 11 million gallons per day, or 18%. That is significant because agricultural water usage is the single largest consumption category by volume in the county. Over the last ten years, the decrease in agricultural water usage has outpaced the increase in per capita daily water consumption. Due to the drop in agricultural water usage, total daily water consumption has decreased by nearly 10% in the last ten years. Community Development Department Indian River County 99 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Although total daily water consumption has decreased, it is anticipated that water consumption will increase in the future as non -citrus agricultural uses, including possible bio -fuel crop production, become established. For this reason, the county should develop policies to ensure that future water demand is adequately addressed. These policies should be incorporated into the Potable Water Sub - Element of the comprehensive plan. Currently, the SJRWMD is preparing a regional groundwater model that will provide an updated estimate of groundwater quality and quantity in the surficial and Floridan aquifers. Indications from the SJRWMD suggest that there will be no significant reduction in the quantity or quality of water available in the Floridan aquifer in Indian River County through at least 2025. With respect to the surficial aquifer, however, there are preliminary indications from the SJRWMD of potential drawdown impacts in the Fellsmere and Vero Beach wellfield areas. In 1988, the U.S. Geological Survey published a water resources investigations report on geohydrology in Indian River County. Because it has been 20 years since that report was completed, the County Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC) recently recommended that the County obtain an updated countywide geohydrologic survey, with seismic profiles or comparable data. Going forward, the County should heed the AAC's recommendation and adopt a policy to obtain an updated countywide geohydrologic survey. Consistent with the County's landscape ordinance, all new developments are required to install irrigation systems and connect to wastewater effluent lines when available. Additionally, the ordinance requires a minimum of 50 percent of all new landscape material associated with new developments to be drought tolerant ("xeriscape") vegetation. (Xeriscape refers landscape plants that require little or no artificial irrigation beyond natural rainfall). Within the county, non -regulatory water conservation measures include fee simple purchases of scrub lands through the County's Environmental Lands Program. This has resulted in the preservation of large tracts of open space in groundwater recharge areas. Over the last several years, drought -like conditions have persisted in Florida, with the year 2000 being the driest year on record in south Florida. To promote water conservation in light of these droughts, the SJRWMD has prohibited the irrigation of lawns and landscapes between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. district -wide since 1991. Recently, additional watering restrictions were adopted. The newly adopted regulations limit the irrigation of lawns and landscapes to a maximum of two days per week, with all watering prohibited between the -hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The current watering restrictions are projected to reduce overall water consumption by 15-20%. Rather than adopt a water conservation ordinance duplicative of the SJRWMD's watering time restrictions, Indian River County's approach has been and will continue to be to promote public education on water conservation measures and to conserve water by means other than restricting watering times, such as requiring drought tolerant species in the county landscape ordinance and Community Development Department Indian River County 100 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element promoting water re -use. • Flow Well Program Since 1990, Indian River County has participated in a cost -share program with the SJRWMD to plug abandoned flow wells. Through this program, abandoned flow wells are identified by county staff and plugged in coordination with the St. Johns Water Management District and the Environmental Health Department. As a result of the program, more than 375 wells were plugged or repaired between 1990 and 2007, saving millions of gallons of groundwater per day. In addition to wasting groundwater, abandoned flow wells provide easier access for surface pollutants to get into groundwater, may threaten crops and structures, and often contribute to mosquito problems. Through the flow well plugging program, SJRWMD pays 50% of the cost associated with plugging flow wells on residential properties and 25% of the cost on commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. In Indian River County, where flow wells tend to be larger and deeper than in other areas of Florida, the program has been effective. On average, a flow well in Florida costs $3,500 to plug, whereas in Indian River County the average flow well costs $4,500 to plug. Since inception, the flow well plugging program has saved Indian River County nearly $850,000 in flow well plugging fees. Despite this success, many abandoned flow wells remain in Indian River County. Although SJRWMD staff has documented fewer reports of abandoned flow wells in the county in the last few years, this decline is attributable to the remaining abandoned flow wells in the county being less conspicuous. For this reason, the County should continue its policy to require that abandoned flow wells on development sites be identified and plugged by developers. In the future, the county should, when funding is available, continue to participate with the SJRWMD in the flow well plugging program. Although funding may be an issue due to budget constraints, the importance of groundwater and the negative impacts that broken flow wells can have on existing groundwater supplies are reasons for continuing the program as long as possible. Floodplains The existing conditions portion of this element identifies 100 -year floodplains found in Indian River County and explains the public benefits of floodplains, such as providing flood -carrying capacity, wildlife habitat, open space and recreational opportunities. Due to the extent of floodplains in the county and the demand for development, building in "special flood hazard areas" (SFHAs) inundated by 100 -year floods has been allowed subject to flood control regulations consistent with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements and standards. Generally, structural and fill encroachments in floodplains reduce flood -carrying capacity, increase flood heights and velocities, and increase flood hazards in areas beyond the encroachments Community Development Department Indian River County 101 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element themselves. Consequently, floodplain management involves balancing economic gain from floodplain development against the resulting increase in flood hazards. To minimize potential off-site flooding impacts associate with development in SFHAs, the County's Stormwater Management and Flood Protection Ordinance requires that an equal volume of storage capacity be created on site for any volume of the base flood that is displaced by fill or structures within the SFHA. The County's policy should be to continue this requirement as it offsets development impacts within SFHAs. Within the county, SFHAs are depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) that are produced by FEMA. Currently, FEMA is undertaking a FIRM modernization project in the county. This modernization project entails assessment of current available flood studies and use of up-to-date high resolution aerials to revise the County's FIRMs to be more accurate and useable in depicting flood zones. The FEMA map modernization project is on schedule to be completed in 2011. Going forward, the County should assist FEMA in modernizing the FIRMs by making local drainage studies available to FEMA and by conducting public information workshops to advise development professionals, as well as the general public, of the floodplain map modernization project. Currently, Indian River County participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Protection (NFIP) program. By undertaking floodplain management activities beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP, the County has achieved a CRS rating of 6, a rating which results in a 20% discount on all flood insurance premiums in the unincorporated county. By participating in the NFIP CRS, the County is conserving flood storage capacity and other natural functions and values of the 100 -year floodplain. For these reasons, the County should continue its participation in the CRS program and should maintain or improve its current CRS rating. Flora and Fauna Communities Native Upland Communities Over the past decade, the total acreage of all native plant communities in the county decreased. The loss of these plant communities is largely attributable to development of previously undeveloped lands within the Urban Service Area. Despite these losses, substantial progress has been made in the past ten years with respect to lands acquired for conservation and restoration or protected under conservation easements. These acquisitions include: o Federal acquisition of land on north Jungle Trail for expansion of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (±500 acres); o State, SJRWMD and County acquisition of the Carson Platt Estate portion of the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park (+5,334 acres of the overall +22,000 acre park); Community Development Department Indian River County 102 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o County acquisition of conservation easements on the "Padgett Branch" ranches in western Indian River County (±1585 acres) and on the +462 acre Sexton Ranch on 82nd Avenue; o SJRWMD acquisition of +12,000 acres for water management and wetland restoration in the Upper St. Johns River Basin; o County acquisition of other lands under the County Environmental Lands bond program; and o Conservation of native uplands under conservation easements on private development sites, as a result of the County's native upland set-aside land development regulations (±500 acres). In 1996, the county held 1,010 acres of native habitat in conservation. Since 1996, the county has conserved an additional 9,384 acres of native habitat, including approximately 500 acres of native habitat in upland set-aside areas related to private development. As the County continues to acquire land for conservation, a major issue is how much environmental land acquisition is enough. In terms of how much is enough, a specific acreage amount is less important than acquisition benefits. According to the County's environmental lands acquisition program guide, a major objective is for the County to acquire environmentally significant lands that contribute to wildlife corridors and greenways that interconnect existing conservation areas. Appropriately, the County's adopted Environmental Lands Program Guide identifies the following wildlife corridors as warranting conservation: o Indian River Lagoon Blueway (including the St. Sebastian River Greenway) o Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge (Winter Beach area) o Ten -mile Ridge (between CR 510 and SR 60) o Western Indian River County (west of Blue Cypress Lake) Combined, unprotected natural areas within these corridors total more than 50,000 acres. Because of financial constraints, it is not economically feasible or practical for the County to acquire that amount of acreage for conservation. Consequently, the land acquired under the County's environmental lands program is guided more by the amount of funding available for acquisition than by the amount of land warranting conservation. For the County to succeed in conserving significant environmental lands within the referenced wildlife corridors, a number of approaches, beyond just fee -simple acquisition, have to be employed. Those approaches include transfer of development rights, less than fee -simple purchase of conservation easements, requirement(s) of natural area set -asides associated with new development, and requirement(s) of"greenbelts" for new towns established outside of the Urban Service Area. Given the amount of land that has been conserved over the past ten years by means other than fee -simple acquisition (i.e., through upland set-aside requirements), it is reasonable to conclude that conservation Community Development Department Indian River County 103 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element of an additional 500 acres of native uplands over the next ten years is a reasonable objective. Of those 500 acres, at least 100 acres should consist of pine flatwoods, the most common plant community under threat of development. Since the County has fulfilled its current environmental land acquisition objectives and funding for acquisition is limited, the County should shift its focus to management of and public access improvements to conservation lands that have been acquired. In doing so, the County should consider reserving a portion of remaining bond funds for initial restoration and public access improvements to such lands. • Upland Set -Asides In 1990, the Natural Resources section of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council's (TCRPC) Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP) called for the preservation of a minimum of 25 percent of upland communities on development sites. At that time, the County initiated an alternative approach to meeting the same objective by adopting an Upland Habitat Protection ordinance (LDR Chapter 929), calling for the set-aside of upland conservation areas on development sites, combined with the County's environmental land acquisition program, to fulfill the SRPP's upland preservation objective. In 2007, the county's native upland set-aside land development regulations were revised. County regulations now require that a minimum of 15% of the native upland habitat on parcels 5 acres and larger be preserved on site. The previous minimum required native upland set-aside was 10%. Since 1996, approximately 500 acres of native habitat have been preserved in upland set- aside tracts related to private developments. The 2007 native upland set-aside revisions also included a provision prohibiting linear set-aside areas less than 50 feet wide. This change was based on the premise that the narrower an upland set-aside, the less the ecological value. As a result of the upland set-aside ordinance revisions, recent native upland easements have consisted of larger and more ecologically valuable tracts of land on development sites. These upland set-aside areas are, however, often small "islands" that are located far from the next nearest native upland area. In that respect, these island set -asides may serve to protect native trees on-site that may not otherwise be conserved, but the island set -asides do not have the value of contributing to wildlife corridors. To address that issue, the county should have policies that maximize the ecological value of required upland set-aside areas. These policies should include evaluation of similar set -asides on adjacent development sites and requirements that such set -asides be contiguous where feasible. With respect to development sites with small initial native upland areas (i.e., 5 acres or less), the county should allow, in lieu of on-site set -asides, an option for developers to enhance or recreate native uplands off-site on existing county conservation lands. That option would provide more ecologically valuable habitat than small "islands" within development sites. Community Development Department Indian River County 104 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Wetlands Wetlands function as important resources to Indian River County in that they provide socioeconomic, as well as environmental quality, benefits. Listed in Table 8.11 are the major benefits generally associated with wetlands in Indian River County. TABLE 8.11 SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES OF WETLANDS IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY Socioeconomic Environmental Flood control Water quality maintenance: Wave damage protection Pollution filtration Erosion control Sediment removal Groundwater recharge Livestock grazing Fishing and shellfishing Hunting Recreation On -Water Recreation Aesthetics Aquaculture Education Scientific research Oxygen production Nutrient absorption Aquatic productivity: Juvenile fish habitat Shellfish habitat Water fowl habitat Microclimate regulation (heat sink) As identified earlier in this element, wetlands can be found throughout Indian River County, in all shapes and sizes. In Indian River County, the Upper St. Johns River Basin comprises the largest contiguous palustrine (freshwater) wetland system. The majority of this system is owned by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and is not threatened by urban or agricultural encroachment. In assessing the functional value of wetlands, a number of criteria can be considered. According to one Florida study (Brown and Starnes, 1983), these criteria should include size, off-site connectedness with other wetlands, landscape diversity, quality of surrounding landscape, intactness, uniqueness, and utilization by endangered species. Another publication on wetlands (Moler and Franz, 1987), however, concludes that size and connectedness, where bigger is better and isolation is a negative, is not necessarily the case when considering the wildlife values of wetlands. For example, at least 15 species of amphibians of the southeastern Coastal Plain are exclusively or primarily dependent on small, isolated wetlands as breeding sites. Additionally, such sites may provide important foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of wading birds. Community Development Department Indian River County 105 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element In Indian River County, certain wetland issues warrant particular attention. For example, small, isolated wetland systems located in the developing eastern portion of the county and in areas of agricultural development are most susceptible to adverse impacts. Many of these wetlands are on lands surrounded by urban development, and these wetlands have been impacted directly by filling or indirectly through drainage pattern changes, pollution, and/or invasion by nuisance exotic species. Questions arise as to the functional values of these isolated wetlands, and the benefits of preserving them in light of impending encroachment. As population growth and development continues, especially east of Interstate 95, pressure will inevitably be put on the natural functions of wetlands. The County's policy should be to continue to require that developers avoid impacts to wetlands and require that developers obtain jurisdictional agency wetland permits and mitigate such impacts where wetland impact avoidance is not practicable. Wetland Conservation Easements Since 1990, approximately 1,723 acres of wetlands have been preserved under conservation easements. Listed below in Table 8.12 are the total acreages of each type of wetland community that has been preserved through conservation easements. Recorded conservation easements ensure that the wetlands subject to those easements are legally protected from future development. Going forward, the County should continue to require conservation easements on preserved, enhanced and/or created wetlands associated with new development projects. TABLE 8.12 WETLAND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HELD BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY (August 2009) Wetland Community Type Acreage Freshwater Wetlands 1,241 Estuarine Wetlands 482 TOTAL 1,723 Public Acquisition of Wetlands Since -1992, the County has acquired approximately 3,100 acres of palustrine and estuarine wetlands through its Environmental Lands Program. In contrast to conserved wetlands on private property, public acquisition of wetlands affords compatible public access and recreational use of such wetlands. The County's policy should be to continue to acquire wetlands for conservation, when funding is available, but only wetlands that are not otherwise protected under easements. Community Development Department Indian River County 106 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Regulation of Wetlands In 1990, Indian River County adopted a wetlands protection ordinance. Because state law pre-empts local governments from requiring wetland mitigation inconsistent with or in addition to state regulation of wetlands, the County defers to state and federal agencies in determining mitigation for wetland impacts regulated through the county wetlands ordinance. Between 1996 and 2006, Indian River County issued approximately 150 wetland alteration permits. With most of those permits, impacts to wetlands were less than one acre. In all cases; jurisdictional agencies assessed wetland impacts and required mitigation in the form of wetland enhancement, creation, and/or conservation to ensure no net loss of wetland functional values. In 2004, the State adopted the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) to establish wetland mitigation standards. Adopted under Chapter 62-345 of the Florida Administrative Code (FAC), the UMAM is binding on all Florida government agencies, including local governments. Recently, the FDEP notified local governments that the UMAM had to be reflected in local wetland protection ordinances. Currently, the County's wetlands protection ordinance (LDR Chapter 928) does not reference the UMAM. To comply with state regulations, the County should reference the UMAM in its wetland protection regulations and ensure that the UMAM is the basis for mitigation determinations of wetland impacts in the County. Although the County defers to other jurisdictional agencies in determining the extent of wetland mitigation, the County serves an important role in reviewing new development by requiring that developers adhere to the following sequence of actions to protect wetlands: avoidance of impacts; minimization of wetland impacts; and mitigation of wetland impacts. In that respect, the County's policy should be to continue to enforce this sequence of wetland protection as the County regulates new development. Comprehensive Wetlands Management Program In order to address revised DCA Rule 9J-5.013(3), the County adopted the Comprehensive Wetlands Management Program (C VVMP) described in this section and referenced under Objective 5 of this element. In the future, the County's policy should be to implement the CWMP and focus on non - regulatory measures of wetland protection such as increased intergovernmental coordination with jurisdictional reviewing agencies, acquisition of additional tracts containing environmentally - important wetlands, establishment of funding for restoration and management of acquired tracts, and creation of a wetland mitigation bank. Notwithstanding, the County's policy will be to continue to Community Development Department Indian River County 107 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element enforce its Wetlands and Deepwater Habitat Protection ordinance (LDR Chapter 928) discussed in the preceding section. o Intergovernmental Coordination Since Indian River County supports efforts by the FDEP and the SJRWMD to minimize the amount of jurisdictional agency overlap regarding permitting and enforcement, the County's Environmental Planning Section (EPS) offers "in-kind" assistance to jurisdictional reviewing agencies. In doing so, the EPS serves in an advisory capacity by reviewing mitigation proposals, reporting wetland violations, and providing information pertaining to properties located throughout the County. For wetland boundary determinations, the EPS defers to the appropriate jurisdictional reviewing agencies. In the future, the EPS should continue to review all proposed mitigation plans and make recommendations on a development -by -development basis. Furthermore, the County's policy should be to continue requiring wetland resource permits for any proposed development project that impacts a wetland. When proposed wetland impacts are less than state or federal thresholds and do not require permits, the County should continue to reserve the right to require wetland mitigation where appropriate. o Wetland Conservation Land Use and Zoning Currently, the Future Land Use Map of the comprehensive plan depicts two conservation land use designations for wetlands: the Public Lands Conservation District (C-1) and the Estuarine Wetlands Conservation District (C-2). Con -1 and Con -2 are the comparable zoning districts for the C-1 and C- 2 land use designations, respectively. While the C-1/Con-1 designation applies to both upland and wetland conservation lands under public ownership, the C-2/Con-2 designation applies only to privately -owned estuarine wetlands found along the Indian River Lagoon and the lower reaches of the St. Sebastian River. Development density within the C-1/Con-1 designation is 0 units per acre. Within C-2/Con-2 designated areas, the allowed development density is 1 unit per 40 acres. In accordance with LDR Section 911.12, all developments located in a Con -2 zoning district must be approved as a planned development (PD). For properties adjacent to the Indian River Lagoon or St. Sebastian River, the location of any proposed development is contingent upon determination of the jurisdictional boundaries of estuarine wetlands by site-specific survey. To minimize wetland impacts, the County should continue to require clustering in Con -2 areas and allow density transfers from the Con -2 zoning district to non -estuarine wetlands. Moreover, the County should continue to prohibit density bonuses on land zoned -Con -2 and prohibit density transfer from off-site lands to PD projects on lands zoned Con -2. Community Development Department Indian River County 108 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o Wetland Conservation Easements/Fee-in-Lieu Payments In exchange for agreeing to preserve a wetland area in perpetuity, a property owner may be granted full or partial tax assessment relief for the preserved property. While conservation easements are recognized as being an effective method of preserving environmentally -significant wetlands on development sites, ownership of the property is retained by either an individual or a corporation, and access to these sites by the general public is restricted. When preserving an existing wetland on a proposed development site is not practicable, developers may, as a last alternative, pay a fee -in -lieu. A fee -in -lieu of protection may be considered only if it pertains to a small, isolated and disturbed wetland whereby the wetland's functional values are minimal. According to county regulations, a fee -in -lieu payment amount is derived from the current assessed value of one acre of the project site (a weighted average is applied if the proposed development is located on two or more parcels with different assessed values). Then, the per -acre assessed value is multiplied by the size of the proposed area of impact, in acres. In cases where funds are obtained by the county as fees -in -lieu of wetland conservation, those funds are put in an account earmarked for acquisition, restoration, and management of wetlands elsewhere in the county. The County's current policies on wetland conservation easements and fees -in -lieu of wetland protection, as described herein, result in public benefits associated with wetland protection and enhancement. As such, the County should continue those policies. o Wetland Acquisition and Management In the future, Indian River County should continue to support and be an active participant in the Indian River Lagoon Blueway Florida Forever project, the multi -agency cooperative effort to acquire the remaining environmentally -important lands adjacent to the IRL. Through this program, a number of estuarine wetland sites along the IRL have been targeted by the county for public acquisition in partnership with the SJRWMD, the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) and the Florida Communities Trust (FCT). Going forward, the County's policy should be to solicit grants to restore degraded wetland areas on recently acquired conservation lands. Additional funding sources, such as fee -in -lieu and violation payments, will be used to supplement grant funding. o Transfer of Development Rights Indian River County's policy on transfer of development rights, as specified in LDR Section 928.09, has been successful in directing development away from estuarine wetlands to upland areas. Through that regulation, a developer is allowed to transfer development density, up to one unit per acre, from estuarine wetlands to adjacent uplands. In exchange, the developer is required to preserve Community Development Department Indian River County 109 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element the "transferring" wetlands in perpetuity under a conservation easement. LDR Section 928.09 also provides that mitigation credit may be granted for the restoration or enhancement of impounded wetlands bordering the IRL on privately -owned properties. In the future, the County should continue to implement these policies. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Table 8.4 of this element lists the endangered and potentially endangered flora and fauna that occur within Indian River County. In the "existing conditions" section of this element, there is a discussion of habitat "specialists" and wide-ranging species (habitat "generalists") having different home range sizes and dependencies. Throughout the county, development encroachment and human activities can detrimentally affect the survival of plant and animal species in a number of ways. With respect to development, loss of habitat is the most significant impact on the survival needs of certain species. For example, plants and animals associated with sand pine scrub/xeric uplands are endemic and decrease as scrub habitat is converted to urban development. As described earlier in this element, territorial acreage needs to be set aside and managed with natural vegetation intact if species such as the Florida scrub jay and gopher tortoise are to be preserved. Plant species also have minimum areal needs that must be met if they are to continue to propagate in sustaining amounts. Generally, wide ranging species depend on a diversity of terrestrial and aquatic communities. For example, eagles and ospreys are species that depend on both aquatic and upland areas, while wide ranging land -bound species, such as the black bear and Florida panther, require large contiguous expanses of undeveloped lands. Indian River County is fortunate to have a large expanse of undeveloped land under public ownership in the Upper St. Johns River Basin, which provides a substantial contiguous land corridor for many animals. Between 1996 and 2007, the. following habitat conservation plans (HCPs) were adopted to conserve habitat for threatened and endangered species in the county: o Florida Scrub Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) In 2000, Indian River County (and City of Sebastian) adopted the Sebastian Area -Wide Scrub Jay Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Assessing the success of the Scrub Jay HCP over the short time span since its adoption is difficult. In addition to the limited time since the HCP was adopted, problems related to tracking individual scrub jays and families have been encountered. Community Development Department Indian River County 110 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Since the HCP adoption in 2000, the number of documented scrub jay families has remained constant. Prior to the scrub jay HCP adoption, a drastic decline in the number of scrub jay families occurred from 1991 to 1998, resulting in a 50% decrease in the number of scrub jays. Since HCP adoption, the number of scrub jay families has fluctuated by less than 10%. Post HCP adoption, the stabilization in scrub jay family populations suggests that the plan has had a positive effect. During the last five years, intensive habitat restoration has occurred within the "Scrub Jay Habitat Compensation Areas," including the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area, Pelican Island Elementary School Scrub Habitat, and the North Sebastian Conservation Area. These areas were successfully timbered and show a marked reduction in pine canopy and an increase in suitable scrub jay habitat. These areas were also the subject of successful prescribed burns. In the future, the County should continue to implement the scrub jay HCP by managing its scrub conservation lands with periodic prescribed burns, mechanical clearing, and timbering (as necessary) to maximize scrub jay habitat. Because of the drastic decline in scrub jay families prior to adoption and the stabilization in numbers post adoption, the evidence indicates that the HCP has been successful. At this time, the HCP covers only a portion of the County. In 2008, scrub jays were documented inhabiting areas of the County, such as Vero Lake Estates, that historically did not support scrub j ay populations. For that reason, the County should consider expanding its scrub jay HCP countywide, beyond the Sebastian area and inclusive of scrub jay habitat within municipalities. In order to promote in -county mitigation of scrub jay habitat impacts associated with development, the County should coordinate with the FWS and establish a scrub jay mitigation fund to derive revenue for acquiring and restoring scrub jay habitat in the county. o Manatee Protection Plan In 2000, Indian River County adopted a Manatee Protection and Boating Safety Comprehensive Management Plan (MPP). Currently, county staff works with the FWC in implementing the plan. In 2005, the Coastal Management Element of the County Comprehensive Plan was revised to include the objectives and polices of the MPP. Overall, collisions with watercraft account for the largest portion of manatee deaths. Since MPP adoption, the percentage of manatee deaths caused by watercraft collisions decreased from 29.6% to 23% in Indian River County. The actual number of overall collision deaths, however, increased from an average of one per year pre -MPP adoption to two per year post - MPP adoption. This average annual increase may be due to the fact that there were more years to average pre -MPP adoption compared to post -MPP adoption and, therefore, it is too early to tell if the MPP will have a positive effect in the long term. Similarly, other aspects of Community Development Department Indian River County 111 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element the plan, such as habitat protection and marina siting, may have visible positive effects only after sufficient time has passed. Overall, annual manatee mortalities in the County increased from three a year pre -MPP adoption to 6.8 a year post -MPP adoption, accounting for manatee deaths by old age or sickness as well as deaths from watercraft collisions. Going forward, the County should continue to implement the MPP by reviewing all proposed multi - slip dock facilities and boat ramps in the county and requiring that those facilities meet the criteria set forth in the MPP. Also, the County should coordinate with the FWC and periodically consider modifications to the MPP based on a review of the mortality data for Indian River County. o Sea Turtle Protection Plan In 2004, Indian River County adopted a Sea. Turtle Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Adoption of the Sea Turtle HCP has led to the development of a complete and accurate sea turtle nesting dataset, has increased public awareness of the issues facing sea turtle nesting, and has specifically identified threats to sea turtle nesting and survival. Because light sources visible from the beach often disorient nesting sea turtles and are a leading cause of mortality and failed reproduction, Indian River County environmental planning staff, in 2007, began working in conjunction with the County Coastal Engineering Division on resolving beach lighting violations. This involved sending letters to beachfront property owners indicating lighting violations unique to each property. One benefit of the Sea Turtle HCP is that the county compiled a complete database of sea turtle nesting sites and nest numbers beginning in 2005. Prior to 2005, comprehensive data were not available on nesting sea turtles in the county. Over the next several years, the county needs to continue to implement the HCP by enforcing lighting restrictions and by continuing to monitor nesting data to discern trends in nesting. In 2008, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), began an initiative to develop a Florida -wide HCP for coastal beaches. The purpose of the HCP is to establish uniformity in how the State addresses the effects of post -disaster recovery for construction east of the Coastal Construction Control Line on state (and federal) listed species. In light of this initiative, the County should assist the FWC in development of the statewide coastal beaches HCP by sharing local data on sea turtle nesting, erosion events, potential coastal mitigation sites, and other coastal data as may be requested by the FWC and DEP. Community Development Department Indian River County 112 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element o Gopher Tortoise Protection In 2007, the FWC's Gopher Tortoise Management Plan was revised. At that time, the gopher tortoise was upgraded from a species of special concern to a threatened species. This upgraded status, along with FWC's prohibition of gopher tortoise entombment on development sites, has heightened the importance of gopher tortoise habitat within the county. According to the FWC's revised gopher tortoise management plan, gopher tortoises must be relocated in all cases. At this time, the county has no established policies for gopher tortoise relocation beyond those established by the FWC. In the past, Indian River County has acquired conservation lands, including the North Sebastian Conservation Area, the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area, and the Sebastian Scrub Conservation Area, with scrub habitat suitable for receiving gopher tortoises. In light of the revised FWC gopher tortoise management plan, the County should develop policies for the relocation of gopher tortoises from private development lands to county owned lands. These policies should allow developers the option of paying a fee to have gopher tortoises relocated to county owned lands, rather than the current procedure of relocating gopher tortoises to largely private lands outside of the county. The fees collected could be used to support the ongoing management of resident tortoises and relocated tortoises on county owned lands. As structured, the county's upland habitat protection ordinance (LDR Chapter 929) requires that an environmental assessment be conducted in coordination with wildlife agencies (e.g., USFWS, FWC) if a proposed development site contains known or potential habitat of threatened or endangered species. By requiring environmental assessments, the County ensures that any listed species that may exist on a development site are identified and protected in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. In the future, the County should continue its policy of requiring such environmental assessments, in that it furthers the protection of rare species. Commercial Uses of Natural Resources The major commercial uses of natural resources in Indian River County are agriculture (primarily citrus), fisheries, and sand mining. Woodland management also occurs in the county, but in relatively small amounts. • Agriculture From 1996 to 2004, Indian River County's -annual production of citrus declined by 21 %. During that time, Indian River County dropped from the sixth largest citrus producer in the state to the seventh largest producer. This decline in citrus production is a statewide phenomenon and attributable to various agricultural diseases and the conversion of agricultural lands to other uses. In 2007, the County revised its landscape ordinance to prohibit the planting of Caribbean fruit fly and Community Development Department Indian River County 113 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element citrus greening host plants, except as may be planted by government institutions or research centers conducting scientific research on control of agricultural diseases. In the future, the County should continue its policy of prohibiting the planting of agricultural disease host plants, with the caveat that such prohibition would "sunset" if, at sometime in the future, an identified host plant is no longer deemed a threat to citrus production. Currently, Indian River County allows, but does not require, removal of citrus trees from unmaintained groves. While citrus trees in declining health in unmaintained groves have the potential of harboring agricultural diseases to the detriment of active citrus groves in the region, it would be over -reaching and impractical for the County to mandate that all unmaintained groves be cleared of trees to prevent the potential harboring of agricultural pests and diseases. Instead, the County should continue to allow (but not require) the removal of such citrus trees and rely on state agricultural regulations to address any potential diseases or pests associated with unmaintained groves. • Commercial Fisheries Comparison of 1996 and 2006 data indicates a 32% drop in commercial finfish catch in the county, from 1,236,473 pounds to 841,774 pounds. In 1996, the annual shellfish harvest in the county was 85,253 pounds. By 2006, the annual shellfish harvest was down to 9,638 pounds. These decreases may be due to a number of factors. In 1995, the state imposed a net ban that has resulted in a decline in commercial fish landings statewide over the years. Another factor is a decline in "working waterfronts" in the county, particularly in the City of Sebastian, which is the hub of commercial fishing in the county. In Sebastian, several commercial fish houses have been converted to private marinas. Also, hurricanes in 2004 caused damage to riverfront businesses, including the Archie Smith Fish House, which closed due to storm damage. The decline in working waterfronts is a statewide issue. Because of that decline, the 2008 State Legislature created "The Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts" Florida Forever grant program to preserve and restore commercial fishery businesses. To fund the program, the Legislature provided 2.5% of the total Florida Forever program distribution. In 2007, the County acquired the Archie Smith Fish House under the County's environmental lands program, with plans to restore the fish house as a visitor center and "demonstration" working waterfront. In the future, the County should seek grant funding for restoration of the fish house. Sand Mining In Indian River County, the predominant use of sand is for construction purposes. This includes fill related to building construction in low lying areas and fill for septic tank absorption fields. As public Community Development Department Indian River County 114 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element sewer is extended to serve more areas, less sand will be needed for construction fill on a per development site basis. In the past, the Atlantic Coastal Sand Ridge, which is overlain by U.S. Highway #1, was used for sand mining in Indian River County. Additional mining operations on the Coastal Sand Ridge are not anticipated, however, since sites on the ridge with potential for mining have already been substantially mined. Moreover, the Coastal Sand Ridge is a primary recharge area for the surficial aquifer and is regulated under the County's Wellfield and Aquifer Protection ordinance such that substantial mining on the Ridge is no longer allowed. Additional information regarding aquifer protection is contained in the Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Sub -Element. Currently, LDR Chapter 934 requires reclamation of mining sites once mining activities are completed. This reclamation must include soil stabilization and vegetation plantings. In addition, the ordinance addresses issues such as off-site roadway impacts, water management, and hours -of - operation impacts for operations in residential zoning districts. In the past, complaints have been received by County code enforcement staff regarding mining operation impacts on roadways, largely pertaining to grading maintenance of unpaved roads in the area of the operation. Other expressed concerns include excessive dust, sand spills on roadways, and noise pollution. In 2008, County mining regulations were revised to strengthen erosion control requirements and requirements relating to mining operation haul routes. Going forward, the County's policy should be to diligently enforce these revised regulations. Conservation and Recreational Uses of Natural Resources Since 1996, the county has acquired approximately 9,384 acres for conservation. As the County continues to acquire conservation lands, there is an increasing need to manage those lands. Currently, the County Parks Division employs a Conservation Lands Manager and a Lands Conservation Technician to oversee management of County owned (and leased) conservation areas. According to the County's Environmental Lands Program Guide, typical conservation area management tasks include: o Invasive plant control o Prescribed burns o Trail blazing and maintenance_ o Perimeter security (fencing) o Construction and maintenance of public access facilities o Historic building restoration and maintenance Several sources of funding are available for management and development of conservation lands. One such source is the County environmental lands bond fund which may be used to provide for property security, initial resource management improvements and initial public access capital Community Development Department Indian River County 115 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element improvements. In the future, the County should consider reserving a certain percentage of County environmental land bond funds for initial management improvements. For upland and wetland enhancement projects, mitigation accounts may also be used to fund resource management on conservation lands. A third source of funds for resource management activities is the County's tree removal violation fines account. On an annual basis, operations, staffing and development funds are budgeted from these sources by the County Parks Division, subject to County Commission approval. Matching funds may be obtained through various grant programs and from donations of cash, materials or labor by local businesses and citizens. Going forward, the County should adopt a comprehensive plan policy that reflects use of these funding sources for conservation land management. Over the past several years, private development off-site mitigation projects have been allowed to occur on County conservation lands. This allowance helps the County achieve its management objectives of eradicating invasive plants and restoring disturbed areas to natural conditions without expending county tax dollars. To formalize the allowance of mitigation and to establish parameters, the County should develop mitigation policies. The mitigation parameters in those policies should include: requiring that private developers carry out the mitigation work (instead of paying the County to do the mitigation); requiring that developers be responsible for annual reporting to permitting agencies; and requiring that developers be responsible for follow-up treatments and plantings (as warranted) for a minimum of five years to ensure that the mitigation project is successfully established. Moreover, the County should reserve certain opportunities for mitigation on County conservation lands for County public works and utilities projects, as the need may arise. Although natural resource protection is the County's primary reason for acquiring conservation lands, the County always tries to make acquired conservation lands accessible to the public for resource-based passive recreation compatible with natural resource conservation. For that reason, each of the conservation areas acquired has an individual management plan which calls for public access improvements. While all management plans incorporate public access improvements, some conservation areas are more conducive for public access than others due to site characteristics. Over the next ten years, the County's policy should be to open at least 500 acres of acquired conservation lands for public access. • Nuisance Exotic Plant Control Nuisance exotic plants, also referred to as invasive exotic plants or natural -area weeds, are non-native plants found in natural areas that disrupt natural processes, such as fire and water flow, and displace native plant communities and wildlife habitat. In Indian River County, Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) is the most prevalent nuisance exotic species, followed byAustralianpine (Casuarina spp.) and melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia). Community Development Department Indian River County 116 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element For the State as a whole, the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) maintains a list of invasive exotic plants found in Florida. The EPPC classifies invasive exotic plants as Category I invasives when such plants are known to alter native plant communities by displacing native species, by changing community structures or ecological functions, or by hybridizing with natives. Category II invasive exotics are plants that have increased in abundance or frequency in natural areas but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become Category I if ecological damage is demonstrated. Since 1990, the County's upland habitat protection ordinance has contained requirements that certain nuisance exotic vegetation, including Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and melaleuca, be removed from development sites. In 2007, the County's landscape ordinance was revised to require that, in all new developments or redevelopments, all invasive exotic plants listed by the FLEPPC as Category I plants be removed from development sites. In the future, the County should continue its policy to require that nuisance exotic plants be removed from development sites and to require that such sites be maintained free of nuisance exotic plants. • Recommendations of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast In 2005, the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC) adopted recommendations to sustain quality natural systems in the region. Action steps recommended in the CSTC's final report include: o Identifying funding sources and supporting funding for implementation of the IRI, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan; o Identifying and implementing strategies to protect a regional network of connected natural systems; o Implementing programs to regionalize wastewater treatment and move away from reliance on septic systems where they are not appropriate; o Developing a comprehensive regional approach to ensure that air quality in the Treasure Coast remains high; and o Using innovative tools, such as land acquisition, development clustering requirements, conservation easements, transfer of development rights, and mitigation banks to conserve natural systems. Going forward, the County should adopt policies in its comprehensive plan to reflect CSTC's recommendations as they apply to natural systems in Indian River County. Community Development Department Indian River County 117 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element • Green Building In 2007, Indian River County initiated efforts to become a certified green county. Through the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), counties and cities are designated as "certified green" if the city or county meets a minimum score measuring the degree to which green building principles are employed. The term "green building" refers to the utilization of certain building methods and materials to minimize environmental impacts related to construction and to reduce both short term and long-term energy needs. Achieving certified status means that county building policies are more environmentally friendly and energy conscious than "standard" building policies. Certified counties within Florida are also eligible for certain state grants related to green building projects. In March 2009, Indian River County achieved a "gold" certification from the FGBC for measures undertaken by the County that advance green building principles. In the future, the County should maintain or otherwise look for ways to improve its certification status with the FGBC. Air Ouality Comparison of 1986 FDER (now FDEP) local monitoring station air quality data with national ambient air quality standards indicated that air pollution was not a significant problem in Indian River County. As such, monitoring was discontinued after 1986. Generally, air quality in Indian River County is good. Problems do arise, however, on an area - specific basis, largely attributed to land clearing debris burning associated with the construction of sizable developments near residential areas. In 1990, the County adopted LDR Chapter 925, Open Burning/Air Curtain Incinerator regulations, requiring the use of air curtain incinerators - and minimum setbacks from occupied structures - for non-agricultural debris burning within the Urban Service Area (USA). Under this ordinance, the authority to issue burn permits is granted to the Fire Division. For the burning of land -clearing debris outside the USA, the local office of the Division of Forestry issues permits. As part of the permitting process, separation from adjacent land uses, and weather conditions (i.e. wind, dryness) are taken into consideration to minimize adverse smoke impacts to adjacent properties and to prevent uncontrolled wild fire. While large burns in conjunction with stagnant air conditions have resulted in periods of poor air quality in the past, such occurrences are relatively uncommon, and burn permits are not issued if such conditions prevail. Although the provisions of LDR Chapter 925 have been effective in reducing air quality problems that would otherwise occur more often, the County still receives smoke complaints when wind conditions are unfavorable and when incinerators are not properly used. Generally, the County's open Community Development Department Indian River County 118 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element burning regulations strike a balance between air quality control and construction allowances. Although a total prohibition of open burning within the USA would eliminate most smoke/air quality nuisances, it would potentially increase land development expenses. The County's policy should be to continue to allow burning within the USA when incinerators are used, as required under LDR Chapter 925. In the past, Indian River County has acquired xeric scrub properties in the USA for conservation purposes. In those areas, fire is an important management tool, and controlled "prescribed" burns are planned for these scrub conservation lands (e.g., the Wabasso Scrub property). For this reason, the County's policy should be to allow prescribed ecological burns in the context of the County's open burning regulations. Another air quality issue relates to Radon. Radon is a radioactive gas occurring naturally in the environment. It is one of a chain of decay products of uranium, which ultimately turns into radium and then into non -radioactive lead. Radon in high concentrations has been linked to lung cancer. In Indian River County, radon gas is not at a level to warrant health concerns; the State identifies the county as being in a "low probability" zone for radon. Only a small portion of the county, mostly within the City of Vero Beach, has been documented as having detectable levels of radon. Because radon is not a problem in the county, no special building regulations apply to address radon. Notwithstanding, the County, through its building division, should be prepared to provide information to citizens who inquire about radon as a potential health hazard. Hazardous Waste Management The Solid Waste Sub -Element of the Comprehensive Plan describes and analyzes current hazardous waste management practices in Indian River County. The following points are summarized: o Currently, the processing of household hazardous waste (HHW) is accomplished by contracting with a State licensed contractor that operates the HHW Program in its entirety. Although the amount of household hazardous waste collected and processed increased by sixty percent (60%) between 1995 and 2005, this increase can be attributed to the County's growth during that period. o According to the State Environmental Health Department, only three events involving the mismanagement of hazardous waste occurred in the county between the years 1995/96 and 2005/06. The Environmental Health Department attributes the awareness of the dangers of HHW and the convenience of the household hazardous waste (HHW) storage facility for the minimal occurrences of illegal HHW disposal by County residents. In the future, it is important for the county to continue to promote public awareness of proper hazardous waste disposal. Community Development Department Indian River County 119 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Intergovernmental Coordination Table 8.13 contains a list of government agencies most often involved in the management and/or regulation of natural resources in Indian River County. Presently, Indian River County coordinates with these agencies on issues of land development and natural resource uses. TABLE 8.13 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FEDERAL Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) STATE AND REGIONAL Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Service (HRS) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) SPECIAL DISTRICTS Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD) Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) Sebastian Inlet Tax District F.S. 298 Special Drainage Districts ➢ Indian River Farms Water Control District (IRFWCD) ➢ Sebastian River Water Control District (SRWCD) ➢ Fellsmere Farms Water Control District (FFWCD) St. Johns Water Control District (SJWCD) Based on the number of reviewing agencies that may be involved in the review of a given environmental issue, it is important that the county be familiar with these agencies and establish a system or mechanism to coordinate with the applicable agencies during the development review process. Another aspect of multiple agency review is the potential for redundancy in regulation. On the federal, state, regional, and local levels, overlapping regulations may potentially cause undue expense to the development community. In recognizing this, the county defers certain regulatory responsibilities to other government levels, especially to such agencies with specialized expertise and resources not available to the county. Under this approach, however, care must be taken to evaluate Community Development Department Indian River County 120 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element whether regulation at the local level is more appropriate for the purposes of local control, monitoring and enforcement. Notwithstanding, the County should continue its policy defer certain regulatory responsibilities to other jurisdictional agencies, when appropriate, to avoid undue redundancy. An overview of the legislative authority and responsibilities associated with the agencies listed is contained in the Coastal Management Element. The Intergovernmental Coordination Element provides a detailed description and analysis of intergovernmental coordination in the county. Community Development Department Indian River County 121 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES GOAL It is the goal of Indian River County to protect, conserve, enhance, or appropriately use the County's natural resources in a manner which maximizes their natural functions and values. OBJECTIVE 1 Air Ouality Through 2020, air quality within Indian River County will continue to exceed state and federal minimum ambient air quality standards. Policy 1.1: The county shall require that a burn permit be issued by the Fire Division prior to allowing burning of land clearing debris associated with development within the Urban Service Area. Issuance of a burn permit will be contingent upon the use of an air curtain incinerator, minimum separation distance from residential developments, wind direction, and/or any other conditions imposed by the Fire Division. Policy 1.2: In coordination with the Office of Radiation Control and the Indian River County Health Department, the county shall make available information on the detection and control of radon gas. Policy 1.3: The county shall coordinate with the State Division of Forestry to ensure that appropriate fire prevention methods are implemented for the burning of land clearing debris outside the Urban Service Area. Policy 1.4: To reduce air -borne pollution, the county will ensure that land clearing and tree removal associated with urban development meets the criteria contained in county land development regulations. These criteria include, but are not limited to: phased clearing, minimizing cleared areas, and stabilizing cleared areas with ground cover. Bona fide agricultural operations will remain exempt from permitting requirements. Polic1.5: The county shall regulate excavation and mining activities to reduce air -borne particulates by requiring dust control measures, by limiting hours of operation, by requiring reclamation that includes soil stabilization, and by requiring Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPs). Polio The county shall promote the reduction of vehicular travel and associated emissions by encouraging planned residential developments, by promoting the establishment of bicycle and walking paths, and by planning for limited retail land uses closely accessible to residential areas. Community Development Department Indian River County 122 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element OBJECTIVE 2 Surface Water Ouality By 2020, water quality throughout the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Sebastian River shall, at a minimum, meet State Class III water quality standards, and State Class II standards, where practicable. Policy 2.1: Consistent with Policy 2.1 of the Coastal Management Element, the county hereby adopts the State designation of Class H - "shellfish propagation or harvesting," as defined in the FDEP's 2008 Surface Water Quality Standards report, as the minimum water quality standard for the following portions of the IRL located within Indian River County: from the north county line south to the CR 510 causeway east of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW); south of the CR 510 causeway to the North Relief Canal, and from the northern tip of Round Island to the south county line. Policy 2.2: Consistent with Policy 2.2 of the Coastal Management Element, the county hereby adopts the State designation of Class III - "Recreation, propagation, and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife," as defined in the FDEP's 2008 Surface Water Quality Standards report, as the minimum water quality standard for the following portions of the IRL located within Indian River County: from the north county line to the CR 510 causeway west of the ICW, and from the North Relief canal south to the northern tip of Round Island. The county will strive to improve the surface water quality within the aforementioned sections of the IRL to State Class II water quality standards. Policy 2_3: The county shall minimize the amount of non -point source stormwater runoff draining to the Indian River Lagoon by requiring stormwater management systems associated with new development, as described in the policies under Objective 7 of the Stormwater Management Sub -Element. Policy 2.4: The county shall require Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPs) for all new development projects that are subject to site plan or plat approval. Polio Consistent with SJRWMD Rule 40C-2, F.A.C. - Consumptive Use Permit requirements, the county shall prohibit the use of Floridan aquifer artesian flow wells to recharge new artificially created surface waterbodies in conjunction with urban development, except for four inch or less diameter wells with working valves. Policy 2.6: The county shall continue to assist the SJRWMD, FDEP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), and the County Environmental Health Department by undertaking code Community Development Department Indian River County 123 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element enforcement actions, as necessary, to ensure the protection of wetlands and surface water quality. Policy 2.7: The county shall prohibit the creation of new navigable canals or waterways connected to the Indian River Lagoon or St. Sebastian River. Excavation of any existing canal shall not be for the purpose of obtaining fill. Maintenance dredging of existing artificial navigable canals shall be the minimum necessary to accomplish the dredging purpose and shall be permitted in accordance with FDEP Rule 40C-4.051 (I 1)(b), F.A.C., and under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, as administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Policy 2.8: The county, in its land development regulations, shall require littoral zone vegetation plantings for artificially created ponds on project sites exceeding ten (10) acres in area. When littoral zones are required, the following minimum requirements shall apply: ➢ A minimum of 30 percent of the waterbody surface area or 21 square feet per lineal foot of shoreline, whichever is less, shall be planted with native littoral vegetation, and shall be maintained permanently as part of the waterbody; ➢ A minimum of one (1) tree, consisting of a native freshwater wetland species, shall be planted for every 500 square feet of littoral zone coverage; ➢ The water management system shall be designed to prevent siltation and eutrophication; ➢ A design and management plan, specifying remedial methods for correcting potential siltation, eutrophication, and/or infestation by nuisance species, shall be required; ➢ Consistent with Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Section 40C -42.026(4)(d), the planted littoral zone area shall consist of a 6:1 or flatter slope. Policy 2.9: Consistent with Policy 4.2 of the Stormwater Management Sub -Element, the county shall, by 2012, request a formal meeting with representatives from all of the F. S. 298 Special Drainage Districts in the county to discuss the following issues: conducting comprehensive basin inventories, adopting maximum discharge limitations and pollutant load reduction goals (PLRGs), and setting level -of -service standards for water quality and flood protection. Policy 2.10: Consistent with Policy 2.5 of the Coastal Management Element and Objective 7 of the Stormwater Management Sub -Element, the county will establish water quality level - of -service (WQLOS) standards for each drainage basin identified in the Stormwater Community Development Department Indian River County 124 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Management Sub -Element. The county's WQLOS standards will be based on the Pollutant Load Reduction Goals (PLRGs) being developed by the SJRWMD. Policy 2.11: Consistent with Policy 7.6 of the Stormwater Management Sub -Element, Program Goal I of the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and Goal I of the Surface Water Improvement Management (SWIM) Plan, the county shall reduce the amount of non -point source pollution entering the Indian River Lagoon by applying for SWIM funds and Section 319 Grants to improve the pollutant removal of efficiency of existing stormwater management facilities and, where feasible, to construct new regional stormwater management facilities. Policy 2.12: By 2010, the county will expand sanitary sewer service to all areas identified throughout the county by the SJRWMD as being "high" and "medium" priority areas of pollutant loading from on-site (septic) disposal systems. Polio: The county shall require the retention of native vegetation adjacent to drainage canals or drainage ditches, where removal may otherwise result surface water sedimentation, except when such vegetation interferes with canal or ditch maintenance. Polio The county shall prohibit all new point sources of discharge not meeting state Class I water quality standards into the Blue Cypress Marsh Conservation Area. Policy 2.15: The county shall monitor water quality data available from other agencies for the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River to determine the success or failure of water quality improvement projects, including the St. Sebastian River muck removal project, the Sebastian Stormwater Park, the Main Relief Canal Pollution Control Facility, and the Spoonbill Marsh project, and use the information to assess the need, design, and location of future water quality improvement projects. Polio The county shall support federal and state funding for implementation of the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Polio For parcels created after June 18, 1991 along the St. Sebastian River, a 100 -foot shoreline protection buffer shall be provided. The shoreline protection buffer shall be measured from the mean high water mark of the river or 50 feet from the landward boundary of jurisdictional wetlands along the river or any tributary, whichever is greater, to any construction. For parcels of record which existed prior to June 18, 1991, a 50 -foot shoreline protection buffer for unplatted parcels, and a 25 -foot buffer for existing platted lots is required on land parcels bordering the St. Sebastian River or an Indian River Lagoon aquatic preserve, measured from the mean high water line to any construction. In no case, however, with reference to parcels or lots of record which existed prior to June 18, 1991, shall the Community Development Department Indian River County 125 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element buffer(s) exceed twenty percent (20%) of the parcel or lot depth perpendicular to the applicable waterway. Shoreline protection buffers shall not apply to platted lots with existing seawalls. o Within the shoreline protection buffer, no development shall be permitted with the exception of docks, boat ramps, pervious walkways and elevated walkways which provide the property owner with reasonable access to the waterway. o No more than twenty percent (20%) or 25 feet, whichever is greater, of any shoreline may be altered for reasonable access. Native vegetation in the remainder of the shoreline protection buffer shall remain unaltered, except as may be allowed through county trimming regulations. o Shoreline alteration shall be prohibited, unless it is in the public interest or prevents or repairs erosion damage, or provides reasonable access to the water, does not adversely impact water quality, natural habitat or adjacent shoreline uses, and is permitted by all applicable jurisdictional regulatory agencies. Policy 2.18: The county shall take actions recommended in the 2008 update to the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), including actions to eradicate invasive flora and fauna, reduce sedimentation and assess potential climate change impacts to lagoon resources. Policy 2.19: The county shall coordinate with the Health Department to educate homeowners on the proper maintenance of on-site disposal system (OSDS), with particular focus on OSDS maintenance on lots proximate to the Indian River Lagoon. The coordination will involve the county providing technical assistance to the Health Department and assisting with distribution of education material. OBJECTIVE 3 Groundwater Ouality and Ouantity Through 2025, there will be no reduction in the quality or quantity of water in either the surficial aquifer or the Floridan aquifer in Indian River County. For the purpose of this objective, water quality will be based on SJRWMD's most current regional groundwater model. Polic�3.1: Consistent with Policy 1.5 of the Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Sub - element, the county shall continue to enforce existing land development regulations that protect existing and future public water supply wells from contamination by prohibiting any non-residential land use which stores, handles, or produces a toxic or petroleum-based product, or any substance regulated under 40 CFR 302, 40 CFR 122.2 1, and/or Chapter 487, Community Development Department Indian River County 126 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element F.S., from locating within 1,000 feet of a public water supply well. The following minimum radial separation distances shall apply to the previously mentioned land uses: ➢ 200 feet for on-site disposal systems, unless approved by the FDEP or DHRS; ➢ 300 feet for wet retention/detention areas, unless approved by the SJRWMD; ➢ 500 feet for landfill and/or transfer stations, above ground or underground storage tanks, feed lots and animal facilities, and WWTP effluent discharges, unless approved by the FDEP; ➢ 1,000 feet from surficial aquifer public supply wells for any mining and/or excavation of waterways or drainage facilities which intersect the water table. Policy 3.2: The county shall use water conservation measures, as described under Objective 4 of the Potable Water Sub -Element and Objective 4 of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element, to protect the surficial aquifer and Floridan aquifer from groundwater quantity depletion. Policy 3.3: By 2010, the county will update the Surficial Aquifer Primary Recharge Overlay District (SAPROD) map into a Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) format. Policy 3.4: The county will require landscaped areas for new developments to consist of a minimum of 50 percent drought -tolerant species, and to use treated wastewater effluent for irrigation, if available. Policy 3.5: The county, in cooperation with the IRSWCD, shall provide technical assistance to agricultural operations and other large users of irrigation water relating to the design of low-volume irrigation systems. Policy 3.6: By 2012, the county will establish an emergency water conservation plan consistent with the SJRWMD's District Water Shortage Plan, as specified in Chapter 400- 21, F.A.C. The county's emergency water conservation plan shall include the following criteria: ➢ local enforcement procedures relating to the District Water Shortage Plan; ➢ availability of public information on water conservation techniques; and ➢ advertisement of water restriction requirements and water conservation techniques in the local press during drought conditions. Community Development Department Indian River County 127 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy 3.7: By 2012, the county will coordinate with the SJRWMD and the FDEP to delineate and establish scientifically -based wellhead protection areas (WHPAs) for all public water supply wells. Policy 3.8: By 2015, the county shall obtain an updated countywide geohydrological study with seismic profiles, or comparable data. OBJECTIVES 4 Floodnlains Through 2020, there will be no reduction in flood storage capacity or the other natural functions and values of floodplains in Indian River County. Policy 4.1: Consistent with Policy 5.1 of the Stormwater Management Sub -element, the county shall regulate development in areas designated as regulatory on FEMA's most current Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS). Within designated regulatory floodways, all encroachment shall be prohibited, including: fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development within the adopted regulatory flood that would result in any increase in flood levels within the county during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. Policy 4.2: The county shall continue to regulate development within flood prone areas to minimize flood storage capacity reduction and to afford protection to life and property within floodplains. Policy 4.3: The county shall maintain its annual certification as a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). OBJECTIVE 5 Wetlands Through 2020, there will be no net loss of the natural functions and values of wetlands or deepwater habitats in Indian River County. Policy 5.1: The county shall continue to implement the Comprehensive Wetlands Management Program (CWMP) described in this Element. Policy 5.2: Indian River County shall require the restoration and management of wetlands as mitigation for the limited filling of degraded wetlands, provided that the following criteria, as defined in LDR Chapter 928, are met: ➢ The benefits of the restoration and management of natural functions shall offset the losses of wetland functions associated with the limited wetland filling; Community Development Department Indian River County 128 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element ➢ A conservation easement shall be established to ensure protection; in addition, Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) will be granted access easements to allow for mosquito inspection, treatment, and management; and ➢ The restoration and management plan shall be consistent the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) utilized by FDEP and SJRWMD, and with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations, as defined in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Policy 5.3: Indian River County shall require a buffer zone of native upland edge vegetation to be retained around wetland and open water habitats which are constructed or preserved on new development sites. Polio In recognition of the many natural functions and values of estuarine wetlands, and in recognition of the need to protect these resources from incompatible land uses for the sake of the public interest, all estuarine wetlands habitats shall be deemed environmentally - sensitive and designated C-2, Estuarine Wetlands Conservation, on the comprehensive plan future land use map. Consistent with Future Land Use Policy 1.3 1, the specific boundaries of estuarine wetlands and the C-2 designation shall be determined on a site -by -site wetland survey basis. Policy 5_5: The county shall continue to accept fee -in -lieu payments as a last alternative for mitigation of wetlands alteration when on-site mitigation is not practicable, but only when consistent with the State's Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) and only in cases where the affected wetland is a small, isolated, disturbed wetland with minimal functional value. Funds obtained from fee -in -lieu payments will be earmarked for acquisition, restoration, or management of similar wetlands elsewhere in the county. Policy 56: The county shall continue to coordinate with jurisdictional regulatory agencies pertaining to wetlands by providing comments to such agencies in a timely fashion, regarding agency dredge and fill permit applications and other wetland alteration projects proposed in Indian River County. Policy 5.7: Development densities for environmentally sensitive wetlands and shallow water habitats shall be limited to a maximum density of one (1) unit per 40 gross acres, with a development density transfer credit of one (1) unit per gross acre. Policy 5.8: Consistent with Policy 8.1 of the Coastal Management Element, Indian River County will participate in the Indian River Lagoon `Blueways" Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) project to acquire important undeveloped estuarine wetlands bordering the Community Development Department Indian River County 129 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element IRL by providing local funding assistance, and by providing "in-kind" services, such as identifying environmentally -sensitive parcels. OBJECTIVE 6 Upland Vegetation Communities Using 2008 conservation land acreage as a baseline, Indian River County shall, by 2020, preserve a minimum of 500 additional acres of upland native plant communities to sustain viable populations of native plant and animal species and protect representative stands of each habitat type in Indian River County. The additional acreage shall be preserved through the establishment of conservation easements and/or fee simple acquisition. Policy 6.1: The county shall continue to assist regional, state and federal agencies in the establishment of regional preserves for sand pine/xeric scrub, tropical/coastal hammock, and coastal strand, pine flatwood, and dry prairie vegetative communities by identifying lands eligible for acquisition, and by providing local cost -share funding. These preserves shall be of a sufficient size to function as "wildlife corridors" in order to maintain viable populations of endemic plant and/or animal species. Policy 6.2: Using 2008 conservation land acreage as a baseline, the county shall, by 2015, restore and manage, or assist in the restoration and management of, a minimum of 100 additional acres of xeric scrub vegetation in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), to ensure that use and management of the property is compatible with the maintenance of viable populations of endemic plants and/or animal species. The following sites shall be included: the North Sebastian Conservation Area Addition; the Cypress Bend Community Preserve; and the Sand Lakes Conservation Area. Policy 6.3: The county shall, assist the FDEP and USFWS in the management of publicly owned coastal/tropical hammock and coastal strand conservation lands on the northern portion of Orchid island by providing "in-kind" services. Polic�6.4: The county shall continue to review its environmental land acquisition guide on a regular basis, and shall update the guide as deemed appropriate. a. The land acquisition guide shall include factors to be considered to assess and prioritize acquisition proposals, such as: 1. resource values/physical features, such as proximity and value to other resources, recreational trail systems and greenways; 2. environmental values, such as lands verified or expected to support rare, endangered, or threatened species; Community Development Department Indian River County 130 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element 3. water quality protection, such as whether or not such lands buffer natural surface waters or preserve aquifer recharge areas; 4. management considerations, such as feasible multiple public use of the property, compatible with resource conservation; 5. financial considerations, such as funding availability; 6. market considerations; 7. social and economic values, such as historic preservation, environmental education, recreation, and scenic aspects; 8. agriculture protection, such as preservation of active agricultural use lands through the acquisition of agriculture conservation easements; and 9. the need for acquisition to protect the natural community where appropriate protection cannot be afforded by land development regulations. b. The land acquisition guide shall identify methods of land acquisition to be considered that may be appropriate, depending on any given proposal, including purchase, donation, exchange, installment sale, and use of intermediaries (e.g. Natural Conservancy). C. Land acquisition shall be considered only after all "non -acquisition" options for environmentally sensitive or environmentally important lands protection have been explored and rejected as inappropriate, including easements, rental (lease), withdrawal (public domain), zoning, acquisition by other entities, cooperative agreement, permit restrictions, administrative regulation, and "no action". Polio The county shall require the preservation of native vegetative communities on county -owned land to the maximum extent feasible, unless otherwise in the public interest. Policy 6.6: The county shall continue to encourage the preservation of mature trees on land development sites by providing landscape credit for the on-site preservation of mature trees - and trees of special concern, and by allowing a reduction in the amount of required parking for the purpose of preserving existing mature trees on site. Policy 6_7: As specific conditions of the site plan approval process, the county shall require the removal of all nuisance exotic vegetation from new development sites, and require that new development sites remain free of nuisance exotic vegetation. Furthermore, the county shall continue to prohibit the planting and sale of nuisance exotic vegetation. Policy 6.8: The county shall continue to require the removal of and restrict the planting of nuisance exotic vegetation identified on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's (FLEPPC's) Category I list. Community Development Department Indian River County 131 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy 6.9: The county shall, continue to protect all significant groupings of the following vegetative communities: xeric scrub, coastal strand, and coastal/tropical hammock. These native upland vegetative communities shall be preserved and protected through fee simple acquisition, the establishment of conservation easements under LDR Chapter 929 - Upland Habitat Protection, and by enforcing LDR Chapter 927 - Tree Protection and Land Clearing. Poligy 6.10: The county shall utilize G.I.S. computer mapping data of vegetative communities, imperiled species, wetlands, cultural resources and other similar available environmental data in the evaluation and regulation of land development activities. Policy 6.11: Undeveloped tracts of xeric scrub and coastal/tropical hammocks 5 acres or larger shall be deemed environmentally important, in recognition of their scarcity and natural values, and in recognition of the public interest in encouraging the conservation of plants and animals associated with these vegetation communities. The county shall encourage the conservation of xeric scrub and coastal/tropical vegetative communities by establishing density transfer and cluster development incentive land use regulations to apply to these environmentally important areas. Policy 6.12: In accordance with LDR Chapter 929, the county shall continue to require development projects five (5) acres or larger, excluding bona fide agricultural operations, to preserve a minimum of 15 percent of the total acreage of native upland area of the project site. The upland set-aside area shall be overlain with a conservation easement dedicated in perpetuity to Indian River County. The following upland ecological communities described in this element shall be subject to the native upland set-aside requirement: ➢ Coastal strand, including dune vegetation; ➢ Coastal tropical hammocks; ➢ South Florida flatwoods, including pine flatwoods and dry prairies; ➢ Xeric scrub, including sand pine scrub; ➢ . Cabbage palm hammocks; and ➢ Upland hardwood hammocks. Where on-site preservation of the native upland communities is not feasible, the county shall, as a last alternative, accept a fee -in -lieu payment. The fee -in -lieu payment shall be based on the current "per -acre" fair market appraised value of the project site multiplied by the number acres that would have been preserved under the 15 percent set-aside requirement. Fee -in -lieu Community Development Department Indian River County 132 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element payments shall be paid prior to issuance of a land development permit, and shall be used to acquire comparable native habitat preserve areas or to manage such lands. Polio The county shall continue to prohibit the disturbance of dune vegetation oceanward of the county dune stabilization setback line, with the exception of dune walkover construction and other similar minor structures that may be allowed subject to approval from the FDEP Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems. Policy 6.14: The county shall prioritize the following pine flatwood/dry prairie communities for acquisition: ➢ Flatwoods/dry prairie communities associated with the St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve; ➢ Flatwoods/dry prairie communities in southwest Indian River County, identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) as potentially contributing to a regional "wildlife corridor"; and ➢ Flatwood/dry prairie communities complementary to riverine wetlands and other natural systems which contribute to upland wildlife species diversity. Policy 6.15: The county shall protect the xeric scrub community abutting the St. Sebastian River by limiting densities in the area to a maximum of 1 unit per 2.5 acres, by encouraging cluster developments through density transfer, and by requiring residential developments to maintain a river buffer setback consisting of native vegetation in accordance with land development regulations. No off-site mitigation or fee -in -lieu payments will be accepted for developments proposing to locate in the area. OBJECTIVE 7 Wildlife and Marine Habitat Through 2025, there will be no reduction in the critical habitat of endangered or threatened aquatic and terrestrial species of flora and fauna occurring in Indian River County. For the purpose of this objective, "critical habitat" is defined as the minimum required sum of environmental conditions in a specific area necessary to sustain a given species. The protection of critical habitat shall be measured and evaluated on a site development basis. Policy 7.1: As set forth in the policies of Objective 1 of the Coastal Management Element, the county shall conserve, appropriately use and protect non -threatened, non -endangered fisheries, wildlife, wildlife habitat and marine habitat (e.g. seagrass beds). Community Development Department Indian River County 133 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy 7.2: The protection of critical habitat shall be measured and evaluated on a site development basis. For developments on property known to support endangered or threatened species of plants or animals, or on property expected to significantly contribute to such species' habitat needs, the developer shall be required to notify the appropriate regional, state and federal agencies and provide proper protection to the maximum extent feasible. Policy 7.3: The county shall take measures, as set forth in the policies of Objective 5 and Objective 6 of this element, to protect significant upland, wetland and deepwater communities that provide habitat for threatened or endangered species, as well as non - threatened, non -endangered species. Policy 7A The county shall regulate land development activities, as set forth in Objectives 1, 7 and 16 of the Future Land Use Element. Policy 7.5: By 2011, the county, in cooperation with the FDEP Bureau of Protected Species and Florida Marine Patrol, shall evaluate the need to revise manatee protection and speed zones in certain areas of the St. Sebastian River and the IRL, to protect the Florida manatee and to promote boating safety. Polic.A The county shall support state and federal land acquisition proposals throughout Indian River County by adopting resolutions in support of such acquisitions, and by providing "in-kind" services, such as land management. Policy 7.7: The county shall protect nesting sea turtles by: ➢ conducting compliance inspections during sea turtle nesting season (March 1 - October 31); ➢ providing information to beachfront residents regarding seasonal lighting regulations and alternative methods of artificial lighting; ➢ prohibiting nighttime construction activity associated with rigid shoreline stabilization projects and new beachfront development during sea turtle nesting season; ➢ prohibiting storage of construction materials on the beach/dune system during sea turtle nesting season; ➢ requiring daily monitoring of sea turtle nesting activity to be conducted for all shoreline stabilization projects conducted during sea turtle nesting; and Community Development Department Indian River County 134 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element ➢ not allowing native dune vegetation oceanward of the county's DSSL to be trimmed more than four (4) feet above the existing grade; Polio: The county will apply the following criteria when reviewing the lighting plans for beachfront development proposals in the unincorporated county: ➢ Outdoor lighting shall be held to the minimum necessary for security and convenience; ➢ Floodlights shall be prohibited; ➢ Wall -mounted light fixtures shall be fitted with hoods and low wattage bulbs; ➢ Low profile luminaries or shields shall be required for pole -mounted lighting; ➢ Tinted of filmed glass shall be used in windows and glass doors fronting the ocean on single and multi -family structures; and, ➢ Shielding requirements for pole -mounted fixtures and security lighting may be reduced if low pressure sodium bulbs are installed as an alternative to mercury vapor and high pressure sodium bulbs. Policy 7.9: By 2015, the county, in cooperation with the USFWS, the City of Sebastian, City of Fellsmere, Indian River County School Board, and other appropriate agencies, will adopt a county -wide Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the endangered Florida scrub jay. Cost - share funding for the countywide HCP will be sought from participating municipalities and agencies, and county mitigation funds will be used to fund the County's share of costs. Poligy 7.10: By 2011, the county will establish one or more state certified recipient sites for relocation of displaced gopher tortoises to county -owned conservation land. In establishing gopher tortoise recipient site(s), the county will collect fees from developers relocating gopher tortoises to county lands, with the fees to be used to fund management of such sites for gopher tortoises. In establishing recipient site(s), the county will identify and reserve certain receiving areas for county government projects. Policy 7.11: The county shall take actions recommended by the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast to sustain quality natural systems in Indian River County, including use of land acquisition, development cluster requirements conservation easements, transfer of development rights and mitigation banks to conserve natural systems. Community Development Department Indian River County 135 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element OBJECTIVE 8 Recreational Uses of Natural Resources Using 2008 recreational and open space land acreage as a baseline, the county, by 2020, shall increase, by a minimum of 500 acres, the amount of recreational and open space land accessible to the public for resource-based passive recreation, compatible with natural resource conservation. Policy 8.1: As set forth in Objective 6 of the Recreation and Open Space Element, the county shall take measures to provide sufficient resource-based parks, access, and outdoor recreational opportunities for the residents of Indian River County. These measures shall include developing public access improvements on county -acquired beachfront and riverfront conservation lands. Policy 8.2: The county shall preserve native vegetative communities on county -owned recreational and open space land in conjunction with development design, to the maximum extent feasible. Policy 8.3: The county shall coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and other appropriate agencies to ensure that rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animal species identified or expected to occur on county recreational and open space lands are protected from adverse development impacts. Protection measures shall include: conducting an environmental survey prior to site development, preserving native vegetative communities on county -owned land to the maximum extent feasible, and where feasible, relocating animals to undeveloped portion of the site. Policy 8.4: The county will pursue grant funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District's Waterway Assistance Program, or other appropriate grant programs, to fund construction of restroom facilities on the Lost Tree Islands and Prange Island. Polio 8_5: The county shall support the establishment of _recreational access sites and improvements in the Upper St. Johns River Basin in Indian River County by providing construction funding assistance and, where feasible, construction materials. Poligy 8_6: Consistent with Conservation Policy 6.4, the county, in evaluating lands to be acquired for conservation purposes, will give priority to those lands that create new or enhanced greenways and recreational trail systems. Community Development Department Indian River County 136 Comprehensive Plan OBJECTIVE 9 Commercial Uses of Natural Resources Conservation Element Through 2025, the county will provide opportunities for the commercial use of natural resources. Notwithstanding, there will be no adverse environmental impacts in Indian River County attributed to the commercial use of natural resources. Policy 9.1: The county, through LDR Chapter 934, shall regulate and issue permits for all proposed excavation/mining projects in the unincorporated county. County regulations for excavation/ mining projects shall include: ➢ a requirement that pollution prevention plans addressing wind and water erosion be depicted on mining site plans and approved by County engineering staff prior to Planning and Zoning Commission review; ➢ a requirement that baseline water quality data be collected at project outfall points; ➢ a requirement that applicants monitor discharge at outfall points to ensure no increase in levels of turbidity at outfall points; and ➢ a requirement of comprehensive dust control plans as part of mining site plans. Policy 9.2: As set forth in the policies under Objective 2 of the Coastal Management Element, Objective 2 of the Conservation Element, and Objective 7 of the Stormwater Management Sub -element, the county shall undertake measures, such as establishing Water Quality Level of Service standards and prohibiting new point source discharges to increase the productivity of fishery habitat, to improve estuarine water quality, and to protect the estuarine ecological systems of the 1RL, especially emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation. Poligy 9_3: The county shall support the City of Sebastian's efforts to preserve and reestablish working waterfronts in Sebastian by seeking grants to restore the Archie Smith Fish House to a demonstration working waterfront. Policy 9.4: The county shall continue to prohibit, by legal document, the planting of agricultural disease host plants in development projects that are subject to county site plan approval. The legal document will be structured to sunset the prohibition if circumstances change such that the prohibition is no longer necessary. Policy 9.5: The county shall evaluate energy conservation actions identified under the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) green building certification program and adopt such actions when economically feasible. Community Development Department Indian River County 137 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element OBJECTIVE 10 Soil Erosion Through 2025, there will be no adverse off-site soil erosion impacts associated with land development and agricultural activities and beach shoreline systems will be stabilized. Policy 10.1: Consistent with Policy 7.9 of the Stormwater Management Sub -element, the county, in cooperation with the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (IRSWCD), shall provide technical assistance to agricultural operations in implementing conservation plans and non-structural best management practices (BMPs). Non-structural BMPs, as defined by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS), include: land use planning, preservation of wetlands and floodplains, education, and erosion control methods. Polio The county shall enforce its tree protection ordinance to ensure that wind and water erosion associated with urban land -clearing activities is minimized through the use of erosion control techniques such as temporary seeding and mulching, sodding, diversion berms, interceptor ditches, sediment barriers, sediment basins, and related appurtenances or devices. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) addressing erosion control shall be required for alldevelopmentprojects. Policy 10.3: The county shall undertake beach shoreline stabilization activities including: ➢ monitoring of the experimental Pre -fabricated Erosion Protection ("PEP") reef to determine the need for supplemental beach stabilization, such as sand renourishment; ➢ determining a funding source for public beach stabilization projects, including consideration of establishing a beach taxing district; ➢ coordinating with the Sebastian Inlet Tax District and the City of Vero Beach on beach restoration projects; and ➢ continuing meetings of a beach preservation and restoration advisory committee concerning recommendations on related issues. Policy 10A To protect existing dune communities and reduce shoreline soil erosion, the county shall continue to prohibit development encroachment oceanward of the county dune _stabilization setback line (DSSL), with the exception of dune walkovers and other similar minor structures subject to approval by the FDEP Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems. By 2012, the county will evaluate the location of the DSSL and will consider relocating the DSSL westward. Community Development Department Indian River County 138 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy 10.5: The county hereby adopts the following specific criteria pertaining to shoreline stabilization within the unincorporated portion of Indian River County and within the municipal limits of the City of Vero Beach: ➢ Only structures vulnerable to erosion from a 15 year or less storm event shall be permitted to construct rigid shoreline stabilization structures; ➢ All shoreline stabilization projects shall be approved by the Community Development Department, excluding those projects eligible for an emergency permit under Chapter 161, F. S., as authorized by the Public Works Director; ➢ Rigid shoreline stabilization structures shall not be permitted on vacant properties;- The roperties; The property owner(s) shall be required to assume responsibility for and agree to mitigate any adverse environmental impacts attributed to the stabilization project, including increased down -drift erosion to the adjacent property, throughout the life of the stabilization project; ➢ Construction activity oceanward of the County's Dune Stabilization Setback Line (D.S.S.L.) shall be avoided to maximum extent possible, and prohibited during sea turtle nesting season (March 1 to October 31) unless expressly approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). ➢ Daily monitoring of sea turtle nesting activity shall be conducted by an individual certified by the FDEP in conjunction with any construction activity oceanward of the D.S.S.L. during sea turtle nesting season. In the event a nest is discovered, the FDEP Bureau of Protected Species Management and the Environmental Planning Section shall be notified immediately. The individual responsible for sea turtle monitoring shall submit a nesting activity report to the Environmental Planning Section and FDEP Bureau of Protected Species Management on a weekly basis. ➢ All dune vegetation oceanward of the D.S.S.L. removed or damaged as a result of construction activity shall be replanted with native dune vegetation material capable of obtaining a minimum height of four (4) feet above the existing grade within two (2) years of planting; ➢ The contractor shall be required to meet on-site with the County's Coastal Engineer or a designee assigned by the Public Works Director prior to commencing construction; ➢ Prior to commencing construction, the applicant shall have received a Notice to Proceed from the FDEP's Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems; Community Development Department Indian River County 139 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element ➢ Nighttime construction activity associated with shoreline stabilization projects shall be prohibited during sea turtle nesting season; and, ➢ Storage of construction materials on the beach/dune system during sea turtle nesting season shall be prohibited. Policy 10.6: The county shall require the banks of properties bordering the St. Sebastian River and the Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve to be stabilized in conjunction with construction of a single-family residence and single-family docks. The preservation of existing native vegetation shall be required along the shoreline. When excessive shoreline erosion is present, the planting of native vegetation, especially red mangroves, in conjunction with installation of rip -rap will be encouraged. The use of rigid structural alternatives will not be permitted unless non-structural methods have proven ineffective or are otherwise impractical. Where structural alternatives are deemed appropriate, they will be required to be located on the upland portion of the site. Polic1 0_7: To reduce siltation loading to the 111" L, the county shall promote petition road paving projects within the IRL watershed. Poligy 10.8: By 2012, the county will evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of requiring that substantially damaged oceanfront structures in nonconforming "footprints" be relocated westward, in compliance with current coastal regulations, even when such structures are substantially damaged during declared natural disasters. OBJECTIVE 11 Hazardous and Nonhazardous Wastes Through 2025, there will be no new sites in Indian River County where domestic or industrial waste is improperly managed or illegally disposed. Polic1l . 1: To extend the life of the sanitary landfill, the county shall continue to expand recycling opportunities to the residents and business of Indian River County. Policy 11.2: To maintain compliance with Title III (Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act) of the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), the county Emergency Services Department will maintain an update -to -date comprehensive inventory of the location, storage, manufacture, handling and/or transport of all hazardous materials in Indian River County. Community Development Department Indian River County 140 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Polio To reduce improper management of hazardous and solid waste, the county will continue to investigate illegal waste disposal practices, evaluate current enforcement policies, and revise county enforcement policies if deemed appropriate. Polic11_4: Existing known hazardous waste contaminated sites shall be monitored and remediated, when feasible. OBJECTIVE 12 Natural Resource Management By 2020, 80% of the county's conservation lands shall be restored to viable ecological condition and improved for compatible passive recreational public access. Policy 12.1: The county, in cooperation with the State Division of Forestry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will conduct prescribed burns on a rotational basis at the Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area, the North Sebastian Conservation Area, and other county -owned scrub habitat. Policy 12.2: By 2010, the county shall adopt an interagency management agreement on implementation of the Sebastian Area -wide Florida Scrub jay Habitat Conservation Plan. Polio By 2010, the county shall enter into a written interlocal agreement with the City of Vero Beach regarding management of the Prange Islands Conservation Area. Policy 12.4: For land tracts acquired through the Environmental Lands Program, the county shall require a site specific management plan be adopted within one year of acquisition. Such management plans shall be subject to the review and recommendations of the County Conservation Lands Advisory Committee (CLAC). The County will, where feasible, construct public access improvements within two years of management plan adoption. Policy 12.5: The county shall solicit grants from regional, state and federal agencies to supplement management funds for acquired lands. Funding will be used for the following purposes: 1. restoration and enhancement of impacted wetland and upland areas; 2. establishment and/or improvement of public access; 3. promotion of environmental education/awareness; 4. eradication of nuisance exotic vegetation; 5. posting of signage and boundary markers; and 6. prescribed burning on scrub lands. Community Development Department Indian River County 141 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy 12.6: County staff shall attend meetings concerning land acquisition and management issues for lands owned and managed by the SJRWMD, FDEP and the USFWS. Poligy 12_7: Suitable lands acquired under the Environmental Lands Program will be opened to the public for passive recreation. Passive recreation shall include the following: hiking, environmental education, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Policy 12.8: To achieve management objectives on conservation lands while minimizing costs, the county shall allow private development off-site mitigation projects, subject to county staff oversight, on county conservation lands. In allowing such private mitigation on county conservation lands, the following conditions shall apply: o the private developer shall be responsible for annual reporting to permitting agencies; o the private developer shall be responsible for follow-up treatments and plantings to satisfy permitting agencies' requirements, for a minimum of five years; and o opportunities for mitigation on conservation lands shall be reserved for county public works and utilities projects. Policy 12.9: By 2010, the county will establish a dedicated funding source for ongoing management of county -owned and managed environmental lands. Polic l� 2_10: By 2010, the county shall evaluate the need to hire additional conservation land management staff and establishment of a distinct Conservation Lands Management Section within the Parks Division or Planning Division. Polic 1� 2_11: The county shall coordinate with federal, state and local agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, in acquiring and managing natural areas and open space. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION An important part of any plan is its implementation. Implementation involves execution of the plan's policies by taking actions and achieving results. For the Conservation Element, implementation involves various activities. While some of these actions will be ongoing, others are activities that will be taken by certain points in time. For each policy -in this element, Table 8.14 identifies the type of action required, the entity or entities responsible for taking the action, the timing, and whether or not the policy necessitates a capital expenditure. To implement the Conservation Element, several types of action must be taken. These include, but are not limited to: developing management strategies for acquired lands, preserving/protecting wildlife habitat, and coordination with jurisdictional agencies at the federal, state, and regional levels. Community Development Department Indian River County 142 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Overall plan implementation responsibility will rest with the Community Development Department. Besides its responsibilities as identified in Table 8.14, the Community Development Department has the additional responsibility of ensuring that other entities discharge their responsibilities. This will entail notifying other applicable departments of capital expenditures to be included in their budgets, notifying other departments and groups of actions that must be taken, and assisting other departments and agencies in their plan implementation responsibilities. EVALUATION & MONITORING PROCEDURES To be effective, a plan must not only provide a means for implementation; it must also provide a mechanism for assessing the plan's effectiveness. Generally, a plan's effectiveness can be evaluated by the degree to which the plan's objectives have been achieved. Since objectives are structured, to be measurable and to have specific timeframes, the plan's objectives are the benchmarks used as a basis to evaluate the plan. Table 8.15 identifies each of the objectives of the Conservation Element and the measures used to evaluate progress in achieving these objectives. Most of these measures are quantitative, such as the acreage of environmentally-important/environmentally-sensitive acquired and estuarine water quality. Table 8.15 also identifies an anticipated timeframe associated with meeting the objectives. The Community Development Department staff will be responsible for the overall monitoring and evaluating the Conservation Element. While monitoring will occur on a continual basis, formal evaluation of the Conservation Element will occur every five (5) years in conjunction with the Evaluation and Appraisal of the Comprehensive Plan. Besides assessing progress, the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) will also be used to determine if the Conservation Element's objectives and policies should be maintained, revised or deleted. In this way, the monitoring and evaluation of the Conservation Element will provide a means of determining the degree of success of the plan's implementation, as well as, providing a mechanism for evaluating needed changes to this Element. Community Development Department Indian River County 143 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element TABLE 8.14 CONSERVATION ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX Policy Type of Action Responsibility Timing Capital Expenditure 1.1 Require burn permits for burning within USA Fire Div. Ongoing NO 1.2 Provide information about Radon DHRSBuilding Div. Ongoing NO 1.3 Coordinate with Division of Forestry for burning outside USA Div. of Forestry/ Planning Ongoing NO 1.4 Issue land clearing permits in accordance with county regulations Planning Ongoing NO 1.5 Regulate excavation/mining activities Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 1.6 Reduce vehicle travel; promote planned developments Planning Ongoing NO 2.1 Adopt State Class II water quality standards for IRL Planning Dept. Ongoing NO 2.2 Adopt State Class III water quality standards for IRL and St. Sebastian River Planning Dept. Ongoing NO 2.3 Minimize non -point source runoff entering the IRL SJRWMD/FDEP/ Planning/ Pub. Works/ FS 298 Districts/ municipalities Ongoing YES 2.4 Require Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPs) Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 2.5 Prohibit use of wells to recharge surface waterbodies SJRWMD/Planning Ongoing NO 2.6 Coordinate with state and federal agencies to protect surface water quality SJRWMD/FDEP/ ACOE/DHRS/ Planning/ Pub. Works Ongoing NO 2.7 Prohibit creation of new canals and waterways FDEP/ACOE/ Planning Ongoing NO 2.8 Require littoral zone plantings for ponds on projects >10 acres Planning Ongoing NO 2.9 Request meeting with FS 298 District representatives Planning/SJRWMD/ FS 298 Districts 2012 NO 2.10 Establish Water Quality Level -of -Service Standards Planning/SJRWMD/ Pub. Works 2010 NO 2.11 Reduce amount of non -point source pollution entering the IRL; solicit SWIM funds and Section 319 Grants Planning/BCC/ SJRMWD Ongoing YES 2.12 Expand sanitary sewer service throughout Urban Service Area Utilities Dept./ SJRWMD 2010 YES 2.13 Require retention of native vegetation along canal banks Planning Ongoing NO Community Development Department Indian River County 144 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy Type of Action Responsibility Timing Capital Expenditure 2.14 Prohibit new point source discharges not meeting state Class I standard into the Blue Cypress Marsh Conservation Area Planning/SJRWMD/ FDEP Ongoing NO 2.15 Monitor water quality data from other agencies and assess needs for water quality improvement projects. Planning/Pub Works Ongoing NO 2.16 j Support federal and state funding for implementation of the IRL Comprehensive Everglade Restoration Plan Planning/BCC Ongoing NO 2.17 Implement river shoreline protection buffer Planning Ongoing NO 2.18 Implement recommendations in the IRL CCMP Planning/Pub Works Ongoing YES 2.19 Coordinate with Health Department to educate homeowners on proper maintenance of OSDS, with focus on OSDS properties near the IRL Planning/Health Dept 2012 NO 3.1 Enforce groundwater protection measures described in the Policy 1.5 of the NGAR Sub -element; apply minimum separation distances Planning/Utilities Ongoing NO 3.2 Use water conservation measures described in Objective 4 of the Potable Water Sub -Element and Objective 4 of the Sanitary Sewer Sub -Element Planning/SJRWMD Ongoing NO 3.3 Update SAPROD map to G.I.S. format Planning 2010 NO 3.4 Require 50% xeriscape vegetation Planning Ongoing NO 3.5 Provide technical assistance relating to the use of low-volume irrigation systems Planning/IRSWCD Ongoing NO 3.6 Establish Emergency Water Conservation Plan Planning 2012 NO 3.7 Coordinate with FDEP/SJRWMD to establish WHPAs Planning/SJRWMD/ FDEP 2012 NO 3.8 Obtain an updated countywide geohydrological study with seismic profiles or comparable data Planning/Utilities 2015 NO 4.1 Prohibit encroachment in regulatory floodways Planning/Pub Works Ongoing NO 4.2 Regulate development in floodplains Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 4.3 Maintain annual certification in NFIP CRS program PlanningTngineering Ongoing NO 5.1 Implement Comprehensive Wetlands Management Program Planning Ongoing NO 5.2 Require protection, restoration and management of wetlands consistent with UMAM Planning Ongoing NO 5.3 Require wetland/upland edge buffer zones Planning Ongoing NO 5.4 All estuarine wetlands deemed environmentally -sensitive and zoned C-2 (Estuarine Wetlands Conservation) Planning Ongoing NO 5.5 Accept fee -in -lieu payments as mitigation for wetlands Planning Ongoing NO 5.6 Coordinate with state and federal agencies regarding wetlands and dredge and fill permit applications Planning/ACOE/ SJRWMD/FDEP Ongoing NO 5.7 Maintain development densities and TDRs for wetlands Planning Ongoing NO Community Development Department Indian River County 145 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy Type of Action Responsibility Timing Capital Expenditure 5.8 Participate in ARC `Blueway" project Planning/BCC Ongoing YES 6.1 Coordinate with state and regional agencies concerning establishment of preserves of native upland vegetation Planning Ongoing NO 6.2 Acquire a minimum of 100 acres of xeric scrub Planning/FWC/ FWS 2015 YES 6.3 Assist FDEP and USFWS in management of coastal strand and coastal/ tropical hammock by providing in-kind services Planning/FDEP/ USFWS Ongoing YES 6.4 Review and update Environmental Land Acquisition Guide Planning Ongoing NO 6.5 Preserve native upland vegetation on county -owned lands Planning Ongoing NO 6.6 Encourage preservation of trees on-site Planning Ongoing NO 6.7 - Require removal of nuisance exotic vegetation for new developments Planning Ongoing NO 6.8 Require removal of and restrict planting of FLEPPC Category I plants Planning Ongoing NO 6.9 Protect significant groupings of native upland vegetation Planning Ongoing NO 6.10 Utilize G.I.S. inventory of native upland vegetative communities Planning Ongoing NO 6.11 Conserve native upland vegetation Planning Ongoing NO 6.12 Implement native upland set-aside requirement Planning Ongoing NO 6.13 Prohibit disturbance of vegetation ocean ward of DSSL Planning Ongoing NO 6.14 Prioritize pine flatwoods/dry prairie protection areas Planning/FGFWFC Ongoing YES 6.15 Protect xeric scrub along St. Sebastian River Planning Ongoing NO 7.1 Protect marine and wildlife habitat Planning Ongoing NO 7.2 Evaluate protection of critical habitat on a site -by -site basis Planning/USFWS/ FFWCC Ongoing NO 7.3 Protect significant upland and wetland habitats Planning Ongoing NO 7.4 Regulate land development activities as set forth in Future Land Use Element Objectives 1,7 and 16 Planning Ongoing NO 7.5 Evaluate need to revise speed zones in IRL Planning/MEP 2011- NO 7.6 Support state and federal land acquisition proposals Planning/BCC Ongoing NO 7.7 Enforce sea turtle protection regulations Planning Ongoing NO 7.8 Regulate construction of docks and marinas Planning/FDEP Ongoing NO 7.9 Adopt county -wide Habitat Conservation Plan for scrub jay Planning/USFWS 2015 NO 7.10 Establish state certified gopher tortoise recipient site Planning/Parks 2011 NO 7.11 Take actions recommended by the CSTC PlanninglPub Works Ongoing NO Community Development Department Indian River County 146 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy Type of Action Responsibility Timing Capital Expenditure 8.1 Provide opportunities for recreation Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 8.2 Preserve native upland communities on county -owned parks Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 8.3 Coordinate with USFWS and FFWCC to protect threatened/ endangered species Planning/FWC/ FWS Ongoing NO 8.4 Pursue FIND grants for improvements to the Lost Tree Islands and Prange Island Planning 2011 NO 8.5 Support establishment of recreational access in the Upper St. Johns River Basin Planning/SJRWMD Ongoing NO 8.6 Give Priority to acquisition of conservation lands that create or enhance greenways and recreational trails stems Planning Ongoing NO 9.1 Regulate excavation/mining activities Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 9.2 Coordinate with SJRWMD regarding mining operations SJRWMD/Planning Ongoing NO 9.3 Seek grants to restore the Archie Smith Fish House Planning/Parks Ongoing NO 9.4 Continue to prohibit the planting of agricultural disease host plants in site plan approval projects. Planning Ongoing NO 9.5 Undertake actions identified in the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) program Planning/BCC Ongoing NO 10.1 Coordinate with IRSWCD to encourage use of BMPs and Conservation Plans Planning/IRSWCD Ongoing NO 10.2 Enforce land clearing and tree removal regulations Planning Ongoing NO 10.3 Shoreline stabilization activities Pub. Works/Planning/ FDEPBCC Ongoing YES 10.4 Evaluate relocation of DSSL Planning 2012 NO 10.5 Implement specific criteria for emergency shoreline stabilization Pub. Works/Planning Ongoing NO 10.6 Require stabilization along IRL and St. Sebastian River Planning Ongoing NO 10.7 Promote petition road paving projects Pub. Works Ongoing NO 10.8 Evaluate requiring nonconforming oceanfront structures that are substantially damaged be relocated westward, even if substantially damaged during a declared natural disaster Planning 2012 NO 11.1 Expand recycling opportunities SWDD Ongoing NO 11.2 Maintain up-to-date list of hazardous materials EMS Ongoing NO 11.3 Investigate illegal waste disposal practices Planning Ongoing NO 11.4 Monitor and remediate contaminated sites Planning/DHRS/FDEP Ongoing NO 12.1 Conduct prescribed burning on scrub lands Planning/FWS/ FWC Ongoing NO 12.2 Interlocal agreement with the City of Sebastian Planning/ Sebastian 2010 NO Community Development Department Indian River County 147 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Policy Type of Action Responsibility Timing Capital Expenditure 12.3 Interlocal agreement with the City of Vero Beach Planning/ Vero Beach 2010 NO 12.4 Adopt management plans for all acquired environmental lands Planning Ongoing NO 12.5 1 Solicit funding for management of environmental lands Planning Ongoing NO 12.6 Attend meetings concerning land acquisition and management Planning Ongoing NO 12.7 Provide passive recreation on Environmental Lands Planning Ongoing YES 12.8 Allow private off-site mitigation on county conservation lands subject to conditions Planning/Pub. Works Ongoing NO 12.9 Establish funding source for management of Environmental Lands PlanningBCC 2010 YES 12.10 Evaluate need to hire conservation land management staff Planning/Pub. Works 2010 NO 12.11 Coordinate w/ agencies and nonprofit groups in acquiring and managing natural areas Planning/Parks Ongoing NO Community Development Department Indian River County 148 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Community Development Department Indian River County 149 TABLE 8.15 CONSERVATION ELEMENT EVALUATION MATRIX OBJECTIVE MEASURE TIMEFRAME 1 State and federal air quality standards 2020 2 Surface water quality standards 2020 3 Quality and quantity of groundwater in the surficial 2025 and Floridan aquifer 4 Preservation of flood storage capacity and natural 2020 function and values of floodplains 5 No net loss of natural function and values of wetlands 2020 and deepwater habitats 6 Acreage of preserved native upland communities 2020 7 Protection of critical of habitat 2025 8 Amount of acreage available to public for passive 2020 recreation on environmental lands 9 Extent of commercial use of natural resources 2025 10 Amount of soil erosion and dune destabilization 2025 11 Number of sites of illegally disposed waste 2025 12 Amount of conservation land restored and developed 2020 with public access facilities F:\Community Development\Users\ROLAND\Comp Plan Amends\Conservation Element\2009 EAR -based rev - Conservation Element\Conservation Element 2030 draft 03-25-10.doc Community Development Department Indian River County 149 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element APPENDIX A: Summary of Draft IRL NEP CCW 2008 Update R' APPENDIX A Community Development Department Indian River County 150 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Community Development Department Indian River County 151 Comprehensive Plan Conservation Element Community Development Department Indian River County 152 m O MM .. e .. 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