§ 15-379. Functional characteristics of conservation areas.

Conservation areas are wetlands which:

(1)

Serve natural biological functions, including food chain production, general habitat and nesting, spawning, rearing and resting sites for aquatic or wetland dependent species, including those designated as endangered, threatened, or of special concern pursuant to F.S. § 581.185 and Rules 68A-27.003, 68A-27.004 and 68A-27.005, Fla. Admin. Code.

(2)

Are wetlands lawfully set aside as local, state or federally designated sanctuaries or refuges.

(3)

Are wetlands, the destruction or alteration of which would materially affect in a detrimental way natural drainage characteristics, sedimentation patterns, flushing characteristics, or other related and significant environmental characteristics.

(4)

Are wetlands constituting natural recharge areas. Natural recharge areas are wetland areas where surface water and the Floridan Aquifer are hydrologically interconnected.

(5)

Are wetlands in which significant and natural water purification occurs.

(6)

After development of surrounding, contiguous areas, will continue to provide significant and productive habitat.

(Code 1965, § 36B-24; Ord. No. 87-31, § 3.03, 7-27-87; Ord. No. 89-8, § 1(3.03), 7-3-89; Ord. No. 2008-01 , § 4, 2-5-08)