May 29, 2004

NY Journal News

I urge all New York State residents to ask Governor Pataki to intervene in DEC's decision to log the Mount Nimham State Forest.

My young family and I hike up Nimham, and greatly appreciate the incredible vista of largely unspoiled nature that it provides. I cringe at the thought that my children and I will one day see and hear logging operations as we climb the fire tower at the mountain’s peak.

Our own Kirk Lake in Mahopac, where we live, has recently undergone dramatic development despite its status as a reservoir of the New Croton Reservoir system. The woods where my boys and I formerly hiked are now full of “McMansions.” Even the lakeshore has been blighted with huge stormwater retention basins and hillside clearcuts – and a not-so-friendly “no trespassing” sign in the remaining woodlot. Granted, these lands were and remain privately-held.
Public lands, however, should remain exactly that. And what better use of forests for the public than pristine woodlands that could one day become old growth forest? Imagine walking with your grandchildren amongst ancient and towering trees. That could be in our future if this model forest project is permanently shelved.

It is the residents of Putnam and beyond that will live with DEC’s decisions. Private developers are quickly paving over private lands. Government should – at the least – protect what we, the public, already own. Please write Governor Pataki at the State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224.

Joe Montuori
Mahopac NY 10541