OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Opponents of a proposed toll road through Split Oak Forest are continuing to discuss their opposition to the project.
The proposed State Road 534 would cut through part of Split Oak Forest, a conservation area straddling Orange and Osceola counties.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) says the toll road would connect State Road 417 near Boggy Creek in Orange County to relieve congestion in Osceola County, improving connectivity to Orlando International Airport and relieving congestion on local roads. SR 534 will feature two lanes in each direction and seven interchanges.
Critics, however, argue that the road could harm wildlife and open the area to urban sprawl.
The group “Save Split Oak” has been working to stop the road over concerns about its potential impact on wildlife and the development likely to follow.
Campaign Manager Lee Perry is calling on both counties to act.
“There is nothing stopping Orange and Osceola from withdrawing the original application today,” Perry said.
The group is bringing those concerns to Osceola County during a public comment meeting on Monday night.
[WATCH: Rally opposes toll road through Split Oak Forest]
In January, the group rallied outside the Orange County administration building. The next day, commissioners voted 4-3 to challenge CFX on their eminent domain case regarding Eagles Roost Park, an environmentally sensitive area, which is just outside of the forest.
In February, the CFX filed an eminent domain claim against Orange County, seeking access to the 2.83 acres the county owns in Eagles Roost Park that it needs for this project.
Perry said Orange County’s January vote was significant, but believes there are political motivations behind it.
“The win in January was really a reflection of some of the commissioners who have higher aspirations for other things being worried about the public pressure that we created,” Perry said. “They are just now starting to see the light, which you know, who knows what happens next year after the election is over.”
Perry said the land should stay the way it is to provide a critical habitat for Florida’s wildlife.
“When you put land in conservation, it doesn’t mean just for a couple of years — just until all the surrounding land isn’t profitable enough anymore, it’s too expensive to purchase and put in a toll road,” she said. “You conserve land forever.”
Through the project, CFX is committing to double the amount of conservation next to the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area. According to its website, 1,550 acres previously entitled for development will be set aside for conservation, all managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. CFX is providing $23.9 million to FWC for the long-term management and restoration of the 1,550 acres.
For people like hiker Glenn Knight, the prospect of losing the forest is personal, even if he sees it as unavoidable.
“Well, it’s going to destroy the park, but I don’t know how they can avoid it. Everything here will be gone by the time they get done,” Knight said. “Use it while you can, it’s nice out here.”