Potawatomi Advocates for Trees, Conservation and Heritage (PATCH) is speaking out about its lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The group alleges the DNR improperly removed trees and conducted road work at Potawatomi State Park.
Lawsuit Details
PATCH’s attorney, Brian Potts, says the DNR claims the work was necessary for safety reasons, but provides no evidence to support this claim. In June, Judge Jennifer Moeller signed an injunction to stop further tree clearing, but allowed road work to continue.
PATCH President David Allen sees the injunction as a positive sign, indicating the seriousness of the case and the importance of preserving the park’s trees. State Rep. Joel Kitchens, who attended a meeting where the lawsuit was discussed, criticized the DNR for not following the spirit of the law.
A hearing is scheduled for July 14, where Judge Moeller will decide whether to stop construction completely or allow it to continue while the case is considered.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.