Attorney To Present Osceola County Position on Split Oak

Published on October 29, 2020

PR20-103

Osceola County, Florida – Attorneys for Osceola County will present today the best solution for an extension of Osceola Parkway that is being opposed by people who fail to recognize the overarching benefits of a plan already approved after scientific analysis, careful study, public input, and ultimately multiple public votes by elected officials in Osceola and Orange counties.

The group mobilized an Orange County Charter Amendment vote in an attempt to usurp the legal authority of the governing bodies in the matter after years of public input and careful study by leading experts. Amendment 2 is an unconstitutional attempt to reverse the science-driven decision that Orange and Osceola counties made – and it jeopardizes a deal that adds 1,550 acres to the Split Oak Forest that will protect a much larger area with a 5,375-acre island of conservation comparable to the expanse of Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Unfortunately, in the opposition’s view nothing but keeping the road out of ALL of Split Oak, including a proposed route that skims its southern tip, is acceptable. This is not practical, not desirable and not the best decision environmentally for the total area that is essentially an environmental lifeboat for conservation and wildlife.

The Greater Good

The approved plan means a gain of 1,550 acres – almost the amount of Split Oak. But it isn’t just the quantity. It is what that will create -- a 5,375-acre island of conservation in a rapidly developing area.

• This means buffers and wildlife corridors around, not only Split Oak but Moss Park, Isle of Pine and Eagles Roost.
• This land will create long-term sustainability that is otherwise threated by development.
  • This plan is supported by many because of the big picture benefits and a rare opportunity to protect a far larger ecosystem.

The totality of the deal: the proposed roadway would nip the bottom portion of Split Oak, with only 60 acres directly impacted and about 100 indirectly. The indirect acreage can still be managed.

• This is a 10 to 1 gain compared to the acres impacted.
• The new property is adjacent to other conservation lands in the area and will create much needed wildlife corridors.
• One of the original alternates had the road going through the middle of Split Oak – a much more disruptive route.
• Additionally, as part of the plan, a developer agreed to move a water treatment plant that was to be constructed next to Split Oak – on environmentally valuable uplands/pine and scrub.
• Another 3 million square feet of commercial and industrial property that is not part of the donated 1,550 acres (but to the South of Split Oaks’ border) will not be developed.
• Further, the donated land will have a positive impact on Split Oak Forest by eliminating more than 2 million square feet of industrial and office development entitlements along the Split Oak Forest's eastern property line within Osceola County. If the industrial and office development were to occur, it would impact the land management techniques available to manage Split Oak.

SPLIT OAK: Today and Historically

There is a false belief/narrative that Split Oak is perfect and pristine and has always been that way.

• It is not and hasn’t been for decades as much of it was worked by agricultural interests for generations.
• It is not a traditional park. The land was purchased for mitigation of gopher tortoise.
• And it was not even the best option for mitigation at the onset. However, through more than 20 years it has been improved through management by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• The Split Oak Minimization Alternative (approved route) had less acre impacts to ponds/lakes, less flood hazard area impact, less wetland impact, and less Federal Listed Species impacts than other options.
• The plan contemplates bridging along the alignment within the Split Oak Forest to ensure permanent connectivity between the north and south portions of the property, which will allow for their continued use as nature-based recreational areas. The proposed bridging will also accommodate wildlife crossings, runners, walkers, equestrian uses, and the extension of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Mitigation

The 1,550 acres of donated land are not intended as mitigation for the impacts caused by the Split Oak Minimization Alternative. These donated lands are being provided above and beyond all required compensatory and regulatory mitigation, as determined by the environmental regulatory agencies having jurisdiction within and over the Split Oak Forest.

Much like the existing Split Oak Forest, some of the donated acreage is truly important environmental land. Other parts will need the same type of restoration that Split Oak has received. But if people have the vision to look forward 20 years, the land will have similar improvements and environment value as Split Oak – even more as it will help preserve Split Oak, Moss Park and Isle of Pines.

The Osceola Parkway extension brings significant positives to many stakeholders, including environmentalists, area residents, commuters and those in the future that find new economic opportunities linked to it. That is why the Orlando Sentinel editorial board advised the County to “take the deal.”

Today’s meeting starts at 2 p.m. Members of the public may attend and view the meeting from a remote location, such as your home or office, via the internet here. If you are having issues joining the meeting, contact (407) 257-2636.

Abogado Presentara la Posición del Condado de Osceola Sobre Split Oak

Condado Osceola, Florida – Los abogados del Condado de Osceola presentarán hoy la mejor solución para una extensión de Osceola Parkway a la que se oponen personas que no reconocen los beneficios generales de un plan ya aprobado después de un análisis científico, un estudio cuidadoso, la opinión pública y, en última instancia, múltiples votos públicos de funcionarios electos en los condados de Osceola y Orange.

El grupo movilizó una votación de la Enmienda de la Carta Constitucional del Condado de Orange en un intento de usurpar la autoridad legal de los gobiernos en el asunto después de años de aportes públicos y un estudio cuidadoso por parte de los expertos. La enmienda 2 es un intento inconstitucional de revertir la decisión basada en la ciencia que tomaron los condados de Orange y Osceola, y pone en peligro un acuerdo que agrega 1,550 acres a Split Oak Forest que protegerá un área mucho más grande con una isla de conservación de 5,375 acres comparable a la extensión de Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Desafortunadamente, en opinión de la oposición, no es aceptable otra cosa que mantener la carretera fuera de todo Split Oak, incluyendo una ruta propuesta por la parte sur. No es práctico, ni deseable y no es la mejor decisión ambiental para el área total que es esencialmente un salvavidas ambiental para la conservaci&oac