Who Should Remove Tree In DEC’s Hands

COOPERSTOWN – The Army Corps of Engineers this morning contacted Brian Clancy, village superintendent of public works, on a tree that has been blocking the Susquehanna River near its source for the past few days.

Clancy said he was advised the Army Corps has no jurisdiction, and said the matter is now being reviewed the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Stamford office.

The tree toppled last Thursday from the river bank along the 10 Main St. property owned by Lou Presutti Jr., owner of Cooperstown Dreams Park, but neighbor Chip Northrup said he’s been advised the landowner doesn’t intend to remove it.

“I would think it’s the landowner,” he said, when asked who is responsible for removing the tree.  However, he said he is not fully apprised off all the laws and regulations governing navigable waterways.