Residents Out To Stop Tree-Cutting In Nassau County Dealt A Serious Blow
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Getting to the root of a problem is one thing -- but what happens when the root is the problem?
Giant trees have caused so much trouble on sidewalks in Nassau County, they now violate federal law.
And as CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported Friday an effort to save the trees has been axed.
Doris Votke and other Long Island homeowners who are part of a "Save Our Trees" campaign were recently dealt a disappointing blow. A state Supreme Court justice ruled that Nassau County's massive tree-cutting campaign is legal and can continue.
"It's really depressing. That is why we moved to Long Island, for the trees," Votke said. "We don't need that many sidewalks."
Four miles of sidewalks are to be ripped up due to gaps and elevated slabs, with fresh concrete then poured. To do this, the county argued the trees have to come down.
"Trees must stay there. Do not cut them down, please," Plainview resident Rose Boccanfuso said.
The "Save Trees Over More Pavement" -- or STOMP -- movement fought, but failed to halt the removal of the 200 majestic maples and oaks from Syosset to Hicksville. Along South Oyster Bay Road, residents claim they were blindsided. They then took their fight to court.
But to no avail.
Because sidewalks are compromised by tree roots, and can become unsafe, Nassau County must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Canopies of mature and healthy trees will soon be gone. The county explained its defense in court and promised new trees will be planted.
"The trees do destroy the sidewalks, making it difficult for us senior citizens and those disabled. And in storms, trees do a lot of damage," Woodbury resident Rose Silber said.
But environmentalists like Richard Brummel argued that there is a better way -- fixing sidewalks while saving trees.
"The model program of a city like Los Angeles, where they replaced their sidewalks and because they used a sophisticated program to fix their sidewalks they were able to save 99 percent of the trees, just the opposite of what we are doing here," Brummel said.
Residents who challenged the project have registered complaints with the court administrators on the handling of the case and have vowed to appeal.
The judge ruled he can't stop the tree-cutting for an environmental review, because law exempts repaving projects "when no highway lanes are added."
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