§ 118-8. Mitigation Standards and County Environmental Land Management and Restoration Fund.

(a)

Mitigation standards. Unless alternative mitigation is approved as part of a minor or major conditional use pursuant to Section 118-6, the removal of any listed threatened or endangered native plant species; any regionally important native plant species; any native plant species that reaches reproductive maturity at less than four (4) inches DBH as identified in Section 118-2(c); and any other native plant species with a diameter at breast height DBH of four inches or greater shall require payment to the Monroe County Environmental Land Management and Restoration Fund in an amount sufficient to replace each removed plant or tree on a 2:1 basis, as determined in accordance with subsection (b). The number, species, and sizes of trees and plants to be mitigated shall be identified in the existing conditions report provided pursuant to Section 118-2 and approved by the County Biologist.

(b)

Mitigation fees determination. The mitigation fee shall be based on the replacement cost of the specific plants and trees. The costs for replacement plants and trees shall be based upon a price schedule maintained by the County Biologist. This schedule shall be based on price quotes by at least three private plant nurseries within the County or Miami-Dade County.

(c)

County environmental land management and restoration fund. Mitigation fees shall be paid into the Monroe County Environmental Land Management and Restoration Fund. Revenues and fees deposited in this fund shall be used for restoration and management activities of public resource protection and conservation lands, as specifically detailed by resolution of the BOCC.

( Ord. No. 006-2016 , § 1(Exh. 1), 4-13-2016)