Flood rules mean trees cut by river or federal funding lost and insurance rates rise - Springfield, MA

Flood rules mean trees cut by river - MassLive.com

To the dismay of cyclists, trees are disappearing along Springfield's River Walk and Bikeway, the result of stricter flood control enforcement by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In past few weeks, 16 trees have been cut down along the 3.7-mile stretch starting south of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, passing through Riverfront Park and running to the Chicopee line.

Regulars on the path were puzzled, then alarmed when large stumps began appearing last month where weeping willow, maple and oak trees stood just a few days before.