GREENBURGH TREES GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL REPRIEVE
New York State DOT Again Halts Tree Cutting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2007

Contact: Leg. Thomas Abinanti; Tel: (914) 592-7100; Abinanti@westchesterlegislators.com

County Legislator Thomas J. Abinanti (D, I, WF) announced today that the trees on both Route 100A and 100 B in Greenburgh have been given a further reprieve from the planned cutting by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT.)

Two weeks ago, Abinanti had asked for assistance from State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who has now intervened and will meet with the NYSDOT Commissioner. The NYSDOT has suspended cutting pending Stewart-Cousins meeting.

The NYSDOT is in the midst of a planned cutting down of hundreds of trees along the length of state roads 100A 100B, which run through much of Greenburgh. Directed at trees along the road’s right-of-way, the tree removal by NYSDOT affects greenery and screening to which both drivers and residents are accustomed.

In telephone conversations and letters with NYSDOT officials, Abinanti asked for an immediate cessation of tree cutting until environmental impacts are properly assessed, as required by New York’s environmental review statute, SEQRA. Likely impacts associated with NYSDOT’s actions on Route 100A include increased stormwater runoff and dramatically altered views.

“I’m pleased that NYSDOT is taking another look at its plan and hope DOT will decide to save a large number of the trees that are marked for destruction,” said Abinanti.