Maine tree lovers up in arms

By Ted Cohen/The Maine Wire

The Portland International Jetport was ordered to stop cutting trees near the runways until authorities can determine whether the project went too far.

Neighbors sounded their vehement opposition to the tree cutting before city councilors, arguing that the airport had no right to cut down so many trees.

Kevin Muse who lives near the trees being cut said he was shocked at what he saw.

Muse compared it to waking up and suddenly realizing his house had been bulldozed.

“There was zero notice,” he told city councilors.

Some residents claim the tree cutting has endangered wildlife, including salamanders, tree frogs, and woodpeckers.

The Federal Aviation Administration project is designed to make it safer for planes. The airport is located in the middle of a densely populated area of Maine.

The question is how many trees had to be felled to meet the safety benchmarks for flying.

Airport officials said the tree clearing at the nearby Calvary Cemetery was required to comply with FAA regulations to maintain a safe flight path to the airport.

The property is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese, which gave the green light for the tree removal.

South Portland Planning Director Milan Nevajda said the city approved plans several years ago to allow for some tree clearing, but the city is concerned that some of the clearing work done was not approved.

“The city did permit certain work to happen but the work that was done seems to be beyond what was permitted,” Nevajda said.

He issued a stop-work order to investigate.