Hilary Hawke in Ravena News-Herald reports that an environmental consultant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) told Town of Coeymans Highway Superintendent Albert Deering the town can't clean out the Hannacroix Creek without the proper permits. In 2007, after flooding, Coeymans won a remediation project grant for the creek that would remove trees and debris from the creek, but has never applied for the proper permits. Now, after more flooding from storms associated with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, folks who live off the creek are complaining the work has not been done. "Even if the town had spent the money on the creek remediation it might not have withstood the 2011 storm and there is no assurance it would have worked," DEC Environmental Analyst Andy Marcuccio told Hawke. At the end of the story, Hawke finally reveals:

"In a further development, DEC Regional Citizen Participation Specialist Rick Georgeson said during a DEC staff meeting with town officials on Friday, December 16 several trees and piles of debris had been flagged and approved for removal. The DEC extended verbal confirmation of the permit on Monday and will mail copies of the permit as well."

Read the full story in the Ravena News-Herald.