Illegal Tree-Cutting at Ellacoya State Park

[mcdude]

from the Gilford Steamer

A portion of Ellacoya State Park has been cleared of trees, violating the shoreline Protection Act. One hundred and twenty feet of the shoreline was cut of trees near Scenic Drive across from the beach. The discovery was made by anonymous persons who sent a letter to Dave Andrade, code enforcement officer, informing the town of the cleared trees. Andrade notified officials in the Department of Environmental Services after confirming the area was in the park. The protection act states that there must be a 50 foot buffer of waterfront foliage must be maintained. In order to cut trees in the park permission must be sought from DES.
“The purpose of this buffer shall be to protect the quality of public waters while allowing homeowner discretion with regard to water access,” reads the protection act,” safety, viewscape maintenance, and lot design.”
The act goes on to stipulate a scoring system that determines when the buffer can be cut. The only exception to the scoring system is when the
tree is diseased or poses a hazard to structures near them. The Department of Environmental Services discovered that the cuts had been recent and indicated that they were looking for help from the public in the investigation. Anyone having information regarding this matter or seen
anything that might lead to the persons involved is asked to call the Wetlands Compliance Bureau at 271-3503.

This seems like a rather odd story. Surely someone saw who cut down trees on 120 feet of shoreline....???