Supporting Documents (Data and Analysis) - Satellite Beach

species of ibis, three species of both terns and gulls, four species of egret, and five species of heron.
The Banana River area also supports a number of species listed as endangered or threatened. Table
5-2 contains a listing of the endangered, threatened, and species of special concern which may be
found in the Banana River area in the vicinity of Satellite Beach.
The City of Satellite Beach is sited on a landform commonly referred to as a barrier island or, to use
the technically-correct term, the North Florida Coastal Strand. This area is characterized by a lowlying
sand dune system bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Indian River Lagoon
system to the west. The eastern edge is a high-energy zone characterized by wind and salt spray.
The plants which grow in this zone are influenced by and adapted to this high energy. Behind the
second and third dune line (the first and second block west of A1A) the natural community is the
sand scrub community. On the west side of the City, the original salt marsh has been completely
replaced by filled land, landscaped suburban lots bordered by finger canals, and the spoil island. The
undeveloped spoil island community was characterized by a high percentage of plant coverage
represented by two alien plant species, Brazilian pepper and Australian pine, prior to development.
The dominate ecosystem in the City is the suburban lot. While not normally included in an inventory
of natural systems, it is included in this Plan, since the natural systems were almost completely
eliminated when Satellite Beach was created and there is little natural system left.
The only remaining original upland habitat exceeding 1/4 acre in extent remaining in the City is
seven acres of oak scrub on the thirty-five acre tract on which the Satellite Beach Sports and
Recreation Park is to be built. This remnant scrub, which harbors gopher tortoises and scrub jays,
will be preserved and is being restored by the City from a badly degraded condition. Since all of the
endangered species inventoried in the City occur as landscape plants or as restorations on public
lands, it is important to understand the growing awareness on the part of the public of the importance
of protecting the native plant species as an integral part of the City's environment.
Table 5-1 includes native plants found or expected to be found in Satellite Beach. Table 5-2 contains
a listing of the endangered, threatened, and species of special concern which have been observed in
Satellite Beach.
Effect of Future Development on Habitat and Estuarine Pollution
Future land development within the city will be primarily in-fill development on scattered sites.
There is generally no concentration of native vegetation or habitats that will be affected by such
development. The only exception is the projected development of Lansing Island, lying between the
Banana River and the Grand Canal. While most of the island is mixed exotic vegetation, there is a
significant mangrove fringe. The exotic species do not tend to support a wildlife population;
however, the mangrove serves as a valuable habitat. All development within the City, including
Lansing Island, must conform with stringent requirements administered by the FDEP. Therefore, the
mangrove fringe will be protected as development occurs. As of 1997, the FDEP has required an
approximate 54-foot wide conservation easement to be established and maintained along the
shoreline of Lansing Island within Satellite Beach.
Coastal Management/Conservation Element
Data and Analysis 5-13