NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE

December 22, 2003

Commissioner Erin Crotty
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

Dear Commissioner Crotty:

As members of the New York State Legislature representing Putnam County we have been reviewing and evaluating the proposal by the DEC to initially allow approximately 85 acres of state property around Mount Nimham to be developed into a model working forest allowing for logging on the property.

As you are well aware, many residents of the Putnam community have been voicing strong opposition to this proposal at public meetings and in communication to elected officials. Among the concerns expressed have centered around the fact that logging would compromise the present recreational use of the property as well as cutting down almost century year old trees.

The Kent Town Board passed a resolution on December 8th to oppose the DEC proposed new use of the property at Mount Nimham. The resolution is attached.

We request that you give serious consideration to reevaluating this project in view of the position of the Kent Town Board.

As representatives of the Town of Kent, we request an opportunity to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss the concerns many of our constituents have about this project.

Sincerely,

Senator Vincent Leibell Assemblywoman Sandra Galef