I know this is late to the discussion above about government rules but reading back in it reminded me about a friend from work. He has a camp up in the Adirondacks Park here in NY. He says there is a rule you can't cut down any live trees. His solution to that is a dog. See you have to keep dogs chained up and the best way to do that is with a chain and the handy place to install a chain for the dog is that tree over there. After a summer of the chain around the tree with a crazy dog running back and forth that poor tree is not doing too well come spring time with the bark all cut through. Dead trees are a fire and insect hazard so better cut it down before it causes a problem!
I dont think that there are any rules for cutting trees like that..
Adirondack Shorelines
Among the most valuable resources in the Park is the land along its thousands of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. The laws the Agency administers provide protection to water quality and aesthetics of Adirondack shorelines by establishing setbacks, lot widths and cutting restrictions.
Shoreline restrictions apply to all lakes and ponds, all rivers being studied for inclusion in the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System, and all other rivers and streams navigable by boat, including canoe.
For more on shoreline minimum lot widths and setbacks, see page 6 of the
Citizen's Guide.
Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System
Many Adirondack rivers are subject to special regulations and permit requirements adopted under the New York State Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act. These regulations apply in addition to those set forth in the APA Act.
Agency regulations apply to the designated rivers and lands adjoining them, generally up to 1/4 mile from the edge of the river.
For more on Rivers System Act regulations and which rivers the Act applies to, see pages 6 and 7 of the
Citizen's Guide.
Removing Trees
Generally, there ane no requirements for the harvesting of trees on non-shoreline parcels unless you plan to clear-cut more than 25 upland acres or 3 wetland acres, or the property is located in a Designated River Area. However, cutting of trees in preparation for aproject requiring a permit may not begin until the permit is obtained; tree removal is part of the project review process, In addition, there are permit requirements for the construction of woods roads or skid trails through wetlands.
For more on shoreline cutting limits, see page 7 of the
Citizen's Guide.
Variances
A variance from the mandatory shoreline restrictions may be allowed if, on the request of a landowner, the Agency determines that the strict application of the shoreline development restriction would cause practical difficulty or undue hardship. A public hearing must be held on each variance request.
For more on shorelines, Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers, removing trees, and variances, see pages 6 and 7 of the
Citizen's Guide to Adirondack Park Land Use Regulations (pdf 370kb).