• Objection to Categorical Exclusion — Deep Woods Special Use Permit, Seminole Ranger District, Project #68695 ERAU Flight Training Facility Within Our Ocala National Forest

How Our Protected Ocala National Forest lands may soon be Stolen and Ruined for Profit

What was once a small, private grass airstrip used occasionally by a single family, tucked deep within our Ocala National Forest, is now on the verge of becoming a high-intensity flight training hub operating daily from dawn to dusk.

Purchased in 2025 by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University after sitting inactive, the site is slated for about 40 acres of public trees clearing, earth building, unspecified fencing and extensive needed roadwork, for continuous low-altitude training overflights by multiple aircraft affecting protected wilderness, wildlife habitats, and nearby rural communities. All of this has advanced without a new state application, environmental review, or single public comments hearing—and with a reported rapid reversal by the Florida Department of Transportation from identifying a "violation of state law" to declaring that no approvals are needed.

Noise, Air, Ground, and Water Impacts by Intensive Low Level Student Flight Touch and Go Training 7 Days a Week Dawn to Dusk—Equivalent to Major Airports—Matters in our Pristine Forest

Our Ocala National Forest belongs to all of us. It is our southernmost national forest in the continental United States, a biological diversity oasis of flora and fauna with over 600 lakes and rivers and dotted with cool clear springs, all of which help recharge the Floridian aquifer. Our Ocala is projected to help protect wildlife, water quality, and climate resilience into the distant future. But now it is under threat and we are taking action. Join us.

The Conflict of Interest: Power Rules?

At the base of the issue is a striking overlap of political power and institutional interest. Tyler Sirois serves simultaneously as Florida House Majority Leader, with significant influence over state agencies like FDOT, the local government, and as Embry-Riddle’s Vice President of External Affairs, responsible for advancing the university’s government priorities. His involvement has included attending local planning meetings for the project, communicating directly with concerned citizens on university letterhead, and supporting legislation related to airport operations while employed by an institution that stands to benefit. This dual role raises serious questions about oversight, transparency, and whether the normal checks intended to protect public lands and the public trust have been bypassed.

Our Wild Unique Biodiverse Resilient Ocala

This project is more than a regulatory failure or political controversy, although it is both. It is an environmental turning point. This project could very well be used as a precedent-setting example for other public forest land grabs.

Our Ocala National Forest is one of the most ecologically significant landscapes in the United States, the country's only subtropical forest, the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi, recognized for its biodiversity resilience, and recently named among the world's top destinations in the world by National Geographic. Some protected natural areas within the project impacts also include the Alexander Springs Wilderness Area, Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, and the St. Francis Trail, all specifically given preservation rights for wildlife protection, ecological integrity, and opportunities for recreation and solitude. That character is now at risk.

Despite the scale of the project, no environmental analysis or meaningful public process has occurred—the public online comments system, open for only four and a half days, had major issues including with the Green Party of Florida submission representing 12,000 Floridians which never appeared despite receiving a successful submission ID number. (See GPFL Press Release, April 2026.)

With the previous culling of about 1/4 of U.S. Forest Service personnel and changes in leadership, along with the announcement just weeks ago of the relocation and dismantling of the USFS, the traditional stewards of our 200 million acres of national forests, grave concerns are arising. Greens across the country stand for protecting our forests and protecting our living Ocala. Stand with us.

📢 CALL TO ACTION: WRITE, CALL, EMAIL

What Greens Want

No taking OUR public forest lands to give to private entities for their profit. No taking Ocala Forest trees and her quiet soundscape period.

WE DEMAND:
1. No categorical exclusion! That absolutely does not apply here. And segmenting the project plan to circumvent studies and regulations is unacceptable—so also is not including all necessary elements.

2. We demand at least an area-wide Environmental Assessment, Completed Water Study meeting the Clean Water Act, and widespread Biological Study including NOISE impacts to All Life, including Human. Include Economic Impacts. This will include loss of value of forest and forest use to Americans nationwide, loss to property owners losing value and easements, loss to local businesses and community organizations losing income—these impacts need to be included.

This massive project—massive overhead noise with ground effects, and massive underground including water systems, is NOT a minor paperwork-level action as described—neither is it minor to cut down nearly 40 acres of public trees and fauna, with earth works and fencing on and near protected and threatened animal species; neither is it minor to expect wildlife not to move across runway area; neither is it minor to pave over a dirt strip with plans of intensive touch and go by up to five Cessna aircraft at a time 7 days a week dawn to dusk and expect that to withstand these impacts along with their plan to fly students in and out daily; neither is it minor to massively increase human waste into unstudied septic systems; neither is it minor to increase fire and safety risks beyond codes and with inadequate emergency services and infrastructure...

Stop the Flat-Earther thinking! The so-called footprint, which by the way, begins with an increase of a full 1/3 by grabbing OUR public land, is not even close to actual impacts. This is a multi- dimensional issue above, on, and underground. This is a cumulative affects problem. And this is an unsafe plan for student pilots.

3. We demand the full administrative record for public viewing immediately.
This will include, but not be limited to, the biological assessment, maps, acreage calculations, FAA runway-safety requirements, road plans including dirt road widening and improving for aircraft and heavy equipment, wetland/floodplain review, species surveys, Forest Plan consistency review, and all communications with Embry-Riddle, USFS, Lake County, FAA, FWC, USFWS, FDOT, as well as Tyler Sirois and legislator’s communications regarding this project and any recent legislation concerning forest lands, flight and facility regulations.

4. Reopen and Accept Supplemental Public Comments. U.S. residents, Floridians, and local residents, campers, paddlers, hikers, wildlife watchers, nearby landowners, and businesses have standing and their input—submission of declarations explaining specific use of the area, noise impacts, wildlife interests, property impacts, and loss of quiet enjoyment—should not be prevented nor significantly limited as has been the case including in the flawed online system. Public comments must be reposted in the online reading room and stay open for public viewing despite claims by the USFS that it has no obligation to take public input.

5. Pause Approval of the Embry Riddle Flight Training Project in our Ocala until Full EA/EIS, Biological Studies and Convenient In-Person Public Meetings Occur with All Input Considered. This project should not become precedent-setting for other public land grabs.

No Taking Our Public Forest Land for Private Profit!
No to Ruining the Forest Lands and Peace-filled Soundscape of our Ocala!

Contact NOW with your personal experience with the Ocala and your personal connection with its value and the value of our national forests.

Branden Tolver

40929 State Road 19
, Umatilla, FL 32784 

850-926-3561

[email protected]

Written comments on this proposal should be addressed to:
Ivan Green

325 John Knox Road, Suite F-210
Tallahassee, FL 32303