Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont was recently caught illegally chopping down thousands of trees and bushes behind his Greenwich home, despite being a public advocate for planting more trees throughout the state. Lamont was issued a citation for chopping down over 180 trees in a protected wetland area to improve the view of a pond from his $7.6 million mansion. Angry neighbors and local sources described it as a “chainsaw massacre” and a coordinated destruction of the entire ecosystem in the area. Lamont allegedly hired workers to carry out the illegal tree cutting without permits in early November, angering nearby property owners and environmental advocates.
The saw-wielding workers not only trespassed onto land owned by a Delaware-based company but also destroyed trees that were up to 40 feet tall and vital for the ecosystem in the wooded area. The Lamonts, along with their neighbors and the Ashton Drive Association, were all issued citations for wetland violations in Greenwich. The hacked trees were described as an “illegal invasion” by an executive of the Delaware-based company, INCT LLC. The Greenwich Wetlands Association issued a cease-and-correct order on November 28 to the Lamonts, their neighbors, and the Ashton Drive Association, requiring them to restore the area as closely as possible to its original state.
Despite Lamont’s environmentally friendly programs and advocacy for planting thousands of trees in urban areas, the tree-chopping incident has sparked controversy and calls for accountability. Lamont’s high income and valuable mansion have heightened the expectations for him to comply with environmental regulations and make amends for the damage caused by the illegal tree cutting. The dispute between the homeowners association and the neighbors is ongoing, with the Lamonts claiming that the HOA received the citation, not the governor himself. The incident has raised questions about Lamont’s commitment to environmental conservation and the need for him to take responsibility for the damage done to the ecosystem.
The clash over the illegal tree cutting in Greenwich is reminiscent of a similar incident in New Jersey where 32 trees were illegally chopped down, resulting in a $13,000 fine for the culprit. The public outcry over the destruction of trees in protected areas underscores the importance of holding individuals, even public figures, accountable for violating environmental regulations. Lamont’s actions have not only damaged the ecosystem in the wooded area behind his mansion but also contradicted his public advocacy for tree planting and environmental preservation efforts. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of hypocrisy and the need for transparency and accountability in environmental conservation efforts.
