The Committee to Save Broome County Parks is fighting back, against what’s become a controversial plan, organizing their own public hearing to save local timber.
The hearing stems from a plan enacted by the County Legislature in March.
Broome County began timber management services on county owned parkland with a company called Forestate.
Community members and the group gathered to address the plan, which thus far has included surveying and preparing.
“It’s time for the County Executive to show a little leadership now and help resolve this problem. They are in a position to lose some major funding, not just a current two hundred thousand dollar grant but future grants at the state and federal level,” says Scott Lauffer, member of the Committee to Save Broome County Parks.
After the group sent information about the plan to the New York State Office of Parks, the office responded with a letter to the County Executive.
In short, the letter tells the county they must follow certain rules before trees can be cut on public land.
If they don’t, they could ultimately lose state funding.
County Legislator Dan Reynolds says, ” I think the County Legislature needs to meet with the County Attorney about the letter and if this contract is going to violate the state statute then we have to reconsider the policy.”
-Story Courtesy Of WBNG-TV
