The Green Party of Florida calls for a full investigation and immediate corrective action regarding the handling of public comments on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Special Use Permit Request #68695, as well as an immediate halt to the proposed project in the Ocala National Forest.

Green Party of Florida
www.gpfl.org

For Immediate Release
April 19, 2026

Contact:
813-291-2345, [email protected]

The Green Party of Florida urgently addresses the exclusion of its March 31, 2026 public comment opposing this permit. The public comment from the Green Party of Florida, which represents 12,000 Floridians, never appeared in the public reading room, although a confirmation and letter ID were received.

This failure raises serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the public comment process, particularly given the premature removal of the reading room. It is critical to determine whether other submissions were also lost or excluded. With no Environmental Impact Study completed and significant risks to the Ocala National Forest, immediate investigation, public accountability, and a halt to this project are essential.

Please see the attached letter for reference and contact the U.S. Forest Service to voice your concerns. Join Save Our Ocala!

Contact:

Mr. Tolver of the U.S. Forest Service [email protected]; 
James Maxwell (Deputy Regional Forester) [email protected]; 
Tyler Sirois (ERAU VP/FL House Majority Leader)  [email protected];
David P. Smith (FDOT) [email protected].