§ 54-346. Requirements for natural resource protection.

All approvals granted pursuant to this article shall be consistent with the Principles for Evaluating Development Proposals in Native Habitats contained in Chapter 2, The Environment, of the Comprehensive Plan.

(1)

Wetlands and buffer impacts.

(a)

Wetlands and their abutting buffers shall be preserved and not altered, except as otherwise authorized herein, or by other regulations of Sarasota County.

(b)

A minimum 30-foot-wide buffer of upland vegetation shall be provided around preserved Wetland areas. In constrained situations, an average 30-foot-wide buffer may be allowed. In instances where mesic hammock habitat located adjacent to a Wetland extends beyond 30 feet from the Wetland, the buffer shall be increased to encompass the hammock up to a maximum width of 50 feet.

(c)

Impacts to Wetlands shall be avoided to the maximum extent practical. In cases where impacts are unavoidable, impacts shall be minimized to the maximum extent practical. In cases where the Administrator determines that a Wetland is no longer capable of performing desired environmental functions or providing environmental values (as defined in Sarasota County's Comprehensive Plan), or in cases where it is determined by the Administrator that no reasonable alternative exists other than disrupting a Wetland or upland buffer, certain alterations may be allowed.

(d)

All Alterations in Wetlands must be mitigated in accordance with the requirements and performance standards specified in the Environmental Technical Manual of the County's Land Development Regulations and in the "Principles for Evaluating Development Proposals in Native Habitats" found in the Environment Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Mitigation shall be as follows:

1.

In situations where the most current State-approved methodology does not apply, mitigation shall be created at a ratio of one-to-one for herbaceous Wetlands and two-to-one for wooded Wetlands in accordance with Level I performance standards; or

2.

In situations where the most current State-approved methodology applies, mitigation shall be as required by the State methodology.

(e)

In cases where mitigation is required, mitigation and monitoring plans, as well as appropriate bonding, must be submitted to and approved by the Administrator before a Permit will be issued.

(f)

Flow of water within, to, and through preserved Wetlands shall not be impeded and shall be such as to optimize wetland hydroperiods.

(g)

Appropriate sediment control devices (hay bales, silt screens, or other devices approved by the Administrator) shall be employed to prevent sedimentation within the Wetland. Any building site adjacent to a Wetland and elevated by Filling must employ the same erosion control devices. Fill must be stabilized to the satisfaction of the Administrator.

(2)

The Myakka River Area and Myakka River Protection Zone. All activities conducted within the Myakka River Protection Zone shall be consistent with Chapter 54, Article XXXIII (the Myakka River Protection Code), Ordinance No. 2008-002.

(3)

Tree Protection. If trees are to be removed as part of the proposed Earthmoving activity, a tree removal and protection permit shall be required by the County.

(4)

Listed Species. In cases where impacts to Listed Species may occur, applicants shall be required to consult with the appropriate Federal and State wildlife agencies, to use recognized sampling techniques as defined by accepted methodology of the agency to identify listed species, and to provide documentation of such coordination and compliance prior to County approval to conduct any activities that could disturb listed species or the habitat.

(Ord. No. 2007-024, §§ 1, 2, 9-25-2007; Ord. No. 2008-040, § 3, 4-22-2008)