FORT DE SOTO, Fla. — Some environmentalists are pushing back after learning that a film crew wants to set up at Fort De Soto, right at the start of sea turtle nesting season.
What You Need To Know
A Land Remembered will be a multi-part TV series, focused on the three generations of Florida pioneers
The production team wants to film portions of the show at Fort De Soto between April 20 and May 15
Environmentalists are concerned about the impacts a large crew would have on the county-run park
Officials with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater say they haven’t approved any permits for filming, yet
Lorraine Margeson is making herself as clear as the water at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County.
“There is no way to control this scenario where it cannot possibly impact precious native plant material, mammals or birds. Period,” said Margeson, an environmentalist.
She and other environmentalists are concerned after learning of a documentary shoot planned for the county-run park.
Tampa filmmaker Todd Wiseman, Jr., is adapting the novel “A Land Remembered” for television. The multi-part series takes viewers through three generations of Florida pioneers and was given a half-million dollars in funding from state legislators.
Preliminary film permits, obtained by Spectrum Bay News 9 and embedded below, show that the crew wants to temporarily shut down the park, modify the environment and bring in 600+ cattle and horses.
“You cannot introduce that kind of material into a pristine habitat. The bacteria content — I don’t think they wear diapers when they’re running around, not to mention the weight of the trailers,” Margeson said.
Other preliminary permits, filed by the film crew, show they also need five large trailers and at least four five-ton trucks to bring in their gear.
All told, the plan has the crew at Fort De Soto from April 20 until May 15.
In a statement, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the Pinellas County department in charge of issuing film permits said, “These plans will be changed, but note any additional documents have not yet been submitted to the film commission.”
Officials say they’re very much still in discussion with filmmakers.
For their part, the production team said in a statement, “As we go through the permitting process for potential locations to showcase in the production, we pledge to respect and protect the environment. We are listening to concerns and making modifications as needed.”
Margeson would like to see the filmmakers pursue other options.
“This is what I’d suggest to them. They have a business plan, they have several locations in the state. Go ahead and switch out and go to one of the ones you already know you’re accepted at and you figure out what beach you’re going to do it at down the line,” said Margeson.
She believes strongly that the ecosystem of Fort De Soto Park is worth protecting.