Say NO to the Ridge Road Extension
As you can see from this photo, the Serenova Preserve in Pasco County is truly one of Florida's Special Places. Unfortunately, development interests intent on spurring a development boon in the eastern part of Pasco County, and the misguided political leaders of Pasco County want to destroy it with an unnecessary road. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has extended the comment period through January 27 on a permit application by Pasco County to build a road known as the “Ridge Road Extension” through the Serenova Preserve, a 6,000 acre tract owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Letters and emails to the Corps are crucial, and if enough are received, sources tell us we have a real chance to stop this devastating and unnecessary project. This tract was purchased by the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) in the late 1990s as mitigation for about 200 acres of wetland destruction associated with the construction of the Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s “Suncoast Parkway”. When DOT bought the land and transferred it to SWFWMD, it retained the right to allow “Ridge Road” to be built in an east-west direction, linking U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and the Suncoast Parkway. However, the loss of extensive habitat in the Serenova tract and the division of important wildlife habitat by a road corridor is causing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carefully review whether to issue the permit to Pasco County. Even though the original Serenova mitigation deal technically allows the Corps of Engineers to consider a permit for the Ridge Road Extension, it does not guarantee its approval. Concerned citizens can increase the chances of the Corps denying this permit by sending comments recommending permit denial to the Corps by January 27. The Serenova Preserve is a highly important ecological treasure under the management of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This is a “Special Place” that should be defended against encroachment by a new highway that will severely compromise its wildlife habitat values. Comments on the proposed project should be submitted in writing to the District Engineer at 10117 Princess Palm Avenue, Suite 120, Tampa, FL 33610. Use our easy email form by clicking here or send your comments directly to: Tracy.E.Hurst@usace.army.mil. Florida Wildlife Corridor ExpeditionDear Friends,On January 17, 2012, I will co-lead a small team of conservationists on a 100 day, 1000 mile trek from the Everglades to Okefenokee (southern Georgia). Our mission is to raise awareness for the important opportunity to protect and connect a corridor of natural lands, water bodies and working ranches and farms throughout interior Florida. We need your help the raise awareness and support. Please share the Florida Wildlife Corridor cause with friends and please make a donation to support our campaign. Each $25 donated will sponsor a mile of the expedition. You can also download a sponsor packet from http://www.floridawildlifecorridor.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/FWC_Packet.pdf Please consider the words of Jeffrey Parrish, Executive Director of Freedom to Roam: “This project has the vision, relationships, campaign approach, and collaborations to be a full success, such that any investment in the project will leverage significant results. I encourage any and all initiatives to join in support of the Florida Wildlife Corridor efforts to ensure that connectivity is maintained in peninsular Florida while we still have the chance. The future not only of rare or threatened species, but of the way of life of so many Floridians is at stake.” FloridaWildlifeCorridor and FloridaWildlifeCorridor.org to learn more. http://www.floridawildlifecorridor.org/ Constitutional Amendment to Ban Oil Drilling in Florida WatersFormer Florida Governor Charlie Crist and former CFO Alex Sink have joined state lawmakers, environmental interest groups and others to promote a constitutional ban on beach front oil exploration and drilling in Florida.Download your petition at http://www.saveourfloridabeaches.net/, or pick up a copy at our monthly meetings. |
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