Plans are moving forward to expand a major road Pasco County, and some aren't happy about it. There is now even legal action.

Officials are looking at extending Ridge Road, which would take it through the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Preserve. It would expand the road from the Moon Lake Road to U.S. 41.

On Saturday, dozens hiked five miles in the preserve to show support for keeping it the way it is.

"We have a lot of issues with them trying to destroy this," said Josh McCart, a member of group Save Serenova.

The group sprung from several local ones, including the Sierra Club, to stop the proposed extension.

That's why McCart helped organize a five-mile hike to show the public what they could be missing.

"Before you lose it, you should know what you have. We wanted the public to be able see it and see the value as is without a road through it," McCart said.

In addition to holding the group hike, several organizers are taking it a step further. The group has hired an environmental attorney, and sent a very detailed letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers showing why they don't want a road here.

So far, he proposed extension has support from the county commission -- especially when it comes to wanting to relieve traffic on State Roads 52 and 54.

"All of the gas and the emissions burning are affecting air quality anyway," Commissioner Jack Mariano said in a December interview. "If you really want to be environmental, to me, the more roads you can build, and alleviate traffic, it improves the quality of life of our citizens, improves air quality."

The Army Corps of Engineers is expected to make a decision on the project in the fall. So far, there is one approved way to do the road, which elevates parts of it slightly in order to protect the environment there.

The estimated cost of the extension is $100 million, to be paid with a combination of local and federal funds.

The project has been in the works for 20 years.