Old Oaks Country Club Faces Charges for Timber Theft

HARRISON, NY — Environmental Conservation officers are trying to determine the value of a dozen trees at Purchase College that were allegedly cut down without permission by Old Oaks Country Club.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation was called in February 2018 by SUNY Purchase police about the destruction of about 12 mature hardwoods on campus property. ECO Dustin Dainack responded.

The land where the trees were cut borders Old Oaks Country Club, a private golf course, DEC police said. Old Oaks had approached SUNY Purchase about leasing the property to expand two of their tee boxes. They allege no deal was ever agreed to and Old Oaks staff began to clear the trees without permission.

In August, SUNY Purchase decided to pursue criminal charges against Old Oaks for timber theft, DEC officials said.

On Aug. 8, ECO Dainack issued a summons to Old Oaks Country Club for removing trees from the lands of another without permission. ECO Dainack is continuing to work with the Division of Lands and Forest staff to determine an approximate value of the lost timber, DEC officials said.

"From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling our state are the first line of defense in protecting New York's environment and our natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes. Although they don't receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC's mission to protect and enhance our environment."

PHOTOS/ NYDEC