The 8,146 acre Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve in Marion County has been saved from serious impacts threatened by the Sabal Trail Natural Gas Pipeline. The original route for the pipeline would have passed directly through the preserve lands owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).

Audubon Florida and Marion County Audubon Society urged SWFWMD to stay firm in the agency’s objections to the pipeline route across the tract. Audubon also contacted Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Governor’s office, urging support for SWFWMD’s staff positon.

The 8,146 acre Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve contains one of the most robust populations of the endangered Florida Scrub-Jay in the state, and the original pipeline routes would have threatened this habitat.

After a meeting on October 10th with representatives from DEP, SWFWMD, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff, and both Audubon Florida and Marion County Audubon, the Sabal Trail Pipeline agreed to change the pipeline route to skirt the edge of Hálpata Tastanaki tract, avoiding any significant impact. Pipeline construction will also be coordinated with the construction of a multi-use trail planned for the Cross Florida Greenway.

Many thanks to SWFWMD, DEP, and the Governor’s office for protecting these important conservation lands!