A New Florida Expressway Project Could Be Endangering Wildlife at the Disney Wilderness Preserve

According to the Tampa Bay Times, concerns are mounting over a proposed plan for a new Florida expressway. The “proposed Southport Connector is a 15-mile tolled expressway in southern Osceola County extending from the Poinciana Parkway to Pleasant Hill Road and continuing east to Florida’s Turnpike.”

The road will traverse through what is currently undeveloped ranch land to help provide traffic relief to Osceola residents with the first highway connection across the county. However, a connector is proposed to traverse through a portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor that borders the Disney Wilderness Preserve. Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, said that while the foundation is not against it, they are worried about the availability of ample areas for wildlife to cross.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Disney Wilderness Preserve is worried about the fragmentation this project may cause, and it may result in populations being isolated from one another. Over time, this could result in species becoming less diverse and less numerous. The Foundation is recommending the expressway be elevated to help protect animals that roam in the area, including the Florida panther. However, it that option could be too expensive.

Additionally, there is worry about the ability to manage the habitat once the road it built. Prescribed fires are used in the area to reduce wildfire risk and promote healthy plant and animal life. With the addition of the road, it could make these prescribed burns more difficult to complete and, in some cases, not possible.

Disney Wilderness Preserve was created when The Walt Disney Company purchased the 8,500-acre Walker Ranch. The cattle ranch was situated at the head of the greater Everglades watershed, which is home to habitat for endangered plants and wildlife. The land was slated for extensive residential and commercial development when Disney purchased it. That development would have destroyed the rare upland habitat.

The Walt Disney Company purchased the land to offset environmental impacts from its theme parks and hotels and transferred the property to The Nature Conservancy. In addition to transferring the land, Disney also provided The Nature Conservancy restoration funding in annual payments, an endowment to assist with operations, and additional support to build a green visitors center and learning facility.

A final decision will be made about the expressway project in December. It is also possible that this project will be done in phases so the Central Florida Expressway Authority can prioritize working with the community. Some residents are hopeful for this project to help alleviate traffic and provide a more direct route for travel. Residents have mentioned difficulties getting to doctor’s appointments because of traffic and commutes that are only a few miles taking 30 minutes.

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