Abstract

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Integration of Habitat Conservation in Local Government Land Use Planning
Track: State and Local Government
Author(s): Patrick Crist

Habitat conservation concerns in local government planning are often addressed through purely regulatory approaches that often disregard important habitats not yet regulated. This sets local governments up for regulatory and political surprises as species become endangered through development in inappropriate locations. Orange County, Florida, invited a group of spatial DSS tool providers to assist in development and evaluation of land-use scenarios for a new major development area. Working with community leaders and the public, we integrated GIS analyses across a number of spatial DSSs to iteratively develop and evaluate land use scenarios. Using a new conservation planning support system, we identified previously unrecognized habitat values that conflicted with previous land-use scenarios. Working through a public charette process and other tool providers, the scenario was modified to retain development and economic goals while meeting scientifically derived conservation goals for biodiversity.

Patrick Crist
NatureServe
Science
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