The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting comments through December 28 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.

Click here to use Audubon's easy email form to send your comments.

This tract was purchased by the Florida Department of Transportation 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 December 28th.

The Serenova Preserve is a highly important ecological treasure under the management of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. This is one of Florida's Special Placesthat should be defended against encroachment by a new highway that will severely compromise its wildlife habitat values.

For more information please visit:

• "Pasco's Highway Obsession" - TBO.com
• "Army Corps Seeks Public Comment on Ridge Road Extension" - TampaBay.com
• US Army Corps Public Notice of Comment Period