Subject:
Title
Approval; RE: Thousand Islands Conservation Area (TICA) Management Plan and Pine Island Conservation Area (PICA) Management Plan and Sykes Creek Conservation Area (SCCA) Management Plan (District 2)
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Fiscal Impact:
There are no fiscal impacts to General Revenue funds. All expenses are funded under the EEL Program Budget. Remaining FY 23/24 management costs are estimated as follows: TICA $6,197. PICA $6,650. SCCA $5,894. FY 24/25 management costs are allocated as follows: TICA $37,180. PICA $39,897. SCCA $35,363.
Dept/Office:
Parks and Recreation/Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Management Plans for the Thousand Islands Conservation Area, Pine Island Conservation Area, and Sykes Creek Conservation Area.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The Thousand Islands Conservation Area (TICA) is a 336-acre site that was acquired by the County between 2006 and 2008. The sanctuary is partially located within the city limits of Cocoa Beach on the south side of Minuteman Causeway. The primary access point to TICA is from the City’s Ramp Road Park. An alternate access is located at the end of South Fourth Street. Property acquisition was partially funded through a Florida Communities Trust grant. The grant was jointly submitted by the City of Cocoa Beach and the County. The original TICA management plan was approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2007 and was subsequently revised in 2008 following the acquisition of the second parcel. The TICA Management Plan outlines ecological management goals and passive recreation activities. Passive recreation activities include non-native species control, paddling, hiking, and fishing.
The Pine Island Conservation Area (PICA) is a 905-acre site that was acquired by the County between 1996 and 1998. The main property was jointly (50%) acquired by the County and the St. Johns River Water Management District. The County is the lead site manager under a Management Agreement with the District. The sanctuary is located within unincorporated Brevard County on North Merritt Island. The primary access points are from the western terminus of Pine Island Road and the Sams House Management and Education Center on North Tropical Trail. The original PICA management plan was approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 1999. The PICA Management Plan outlines ecological management goals and passive recreation activities. Passive recreation activities include non-native species control prescribed burning, saltmarsh restoration, cultural and archeological preservation, paddling, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, youth camping, environmental education programming and fishing.
The Sykes Creek Conservation Area (SCCA) is a 2,129-acre site consisting of three separate sanctuaries, Johnson Sanctuary, Kabboord Sanctuary and Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuaries were acquired by the County between 1963 and 2008. All sites are within unincorporated Brevard on Merritt Island. The 99-acre Johnson Sanctuary is located on the north side of Hall Road and west side of White Ibis Lane. No physical access exists for this property due to the wetland ecosystem. The 803-acre Kabboord Sanctuary is located on the south side of Hall Road east of Timothy Drive. No physical access for public recreation currently exists on this property due to the wetland ecosystem. A non-motorized boat launch is planned to provide access for paddlers to Sykes Creek. The 1,227-acre Ulumay Sanctuary is located between SR528 and Sykes Creek Parkway on the east side of Sykes Creek. The public entrance is on the north side of Sykes Creek Parkway. The SCCA Management Plan combines three interim management plans into one single management plan. The SCCA Management Plan outlines ecological management goals and passive recreation activities. Passive recreation activities include non-native species control prescribed burning, saltmarsh restoration, paddling, hiking, and fishing.
The EEL Selection and Management Committee has approved the three Management Plans for submittal to the County Commission for final approval. The approved Thousand Islands Conservation Area Management Plan for the will also be submitted to Florida Communities Trust.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return Board Memorandum to the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program.