Residents in uproar about proposed OIA expansion

Lake Nona residents are upset over a possible airport expansion.

Orlando International Airport wants to build on a wetlands area near the neighborhood, but residents are concerned about the environmental impact.

Hundreds of residents attended a public hearing Wednesday.

They are worried about the airport cutting down wetlands.

It’s an area they said is not only near their homes, but home to wildlife.

"When we drive down the road, we see open pasture, deer, eagles flying," said resident Bob Wallace.

Wallace is afraid what he loves about his neighborhood will soon be gone.

The airport is in the final stages of getting a permit to expand.

OIA, which owns the land next to Lake Nona, has asked to build up two acres of wetlands, an area home to several endangered species.

"There is a lot of scrutiny,” said Carol Ann Wehle. “We dot our I's and cross our T's."

Wehle, the executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, is in charge of approving the permit.

She told News 13 she understands why residents are upset.

However, people News 13 spoke with said the airport owns hundreds of other acres they could use instead.

"It’s ridiculous to me," said Deborah Moskowitz, a North Lake Park resident.

Moskowitz feels OIA should recognize its responsibility to the public.

"We don't believe that just because they are the airport, that that should be a valid reasons for them to do whatever they want to do," Moskowitz said.

News 13 asked Wehle why they chose these wetlands. Concerns over flooding, water quality and displaced species have already come up.

Wehle said there are two reasons. The first is its size.

"When you just protect a small wetland, while that is important, when you're protecting multiple species, you need a large track of land," Wehle said.

Wehle also brought up the issue of bird strikes -- when nearby birds fly into airplane engines, potentially causing crashes.

She said the FAA is now more strict on how close birds can be to airports, meaning the wetlands could pose a threat.

But residents like Wallace believe that’s just an excuse.

"The quality of that picture will never be the same if they are allowed to do that," Wallace said.

The South Florida Water Management District could issue a permit allowing the airport to build on the wetlands as soon as September.

It could take at least two more years before any construction to start.