Marina lawsuit presses state to study overuse on Lower Saranac Lake
Ry Rivard, Adirondack Explorer
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Late last year, Thomas Jorling filed a court case against the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which he led during much of Gov. Mario Cuomo’s administration.Mark Kurtz
SARANAC LAKE It’s not every day that a former head of a New York agency sues his one-time department.
But late last year, Thomas Jorling filed a court case against the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which he led during much of Gov. Mario Cuomo’s administration.
The lawsuit is now raising larger issues than his personal enjoyment. Steeped in the bureaucracy and details of environmental regulations, Jorling’s case is dredging up years of uncomfortable questions about whether the state lacks the know-how and will to protect the Adirondack Park.
The highest court in New York heard arguments on Wednesday for a case that could redefine what âtimberâ means in state law, and change what size trees can be cut on state Forest Preserve land.
Lawyers for the Protect the Adirondacks environmental group and state Department of Environmental Conservation were arguing an eight-year lawsuit brought by the former against the latter, which led to a DEC tree-cutting moratorium, halting construction on snowmobile trails and other trails around the Adirondack Park.
At the heart of the issue is whether the DECâs cutting of trees under 3 inches in diameter is allowed or banned by the state constitution.
The highest court in New York heard arguments on Wednesday for a case that could redefine what âtimberâ means in state law, and change what size trees can be cut on state Forest Preserve land.
Lawyers for the Protect the Adirondacks environmental group and state Department of Environmental Conservation were arguing an eight-year lawsuit brought by the former against the latter, which led to a DEC tree-cutting moratorium, halting construction on snowmobile trails and other trails around the Adirondack Park.
At the heart of the issue is whether the DECâs cutting of trees under 3 inches in diameter is allowed or banned by the state constitution.
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