Toll of Commuting
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

Bridgewater officials demand DEP documents regarding the cutting down of trees

Bridgewater officials say the county destroyed the area by cutting down hundreds of trees in the town.

Matt Trapani

Oct 22, 2025, 5:36 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

Bridgewater officials are calling on Somerset County to release documents from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the cutting down of trees in the town.

Mayor Matthew Moench says that the county destroyed the area by cutting down hundreds of trees. He says that the area was declared “protected” by the state.

RELATED: Bridgewater calls on judge to step in, order injunction after hundreds of trees torn down by county

"We are now in a position where we need to insist that Somerset County publicly release whatever DEP documentation they do have for 'Treegate' immediately. And if they can't do that, they need to explain to us why they don't have the documentation they're supposed to have,” Moench wrote in a statement.

The county started cutting the trees down to clear the space for a new access road into Washington Valley Park.

Town officials say they've notified the state and have a petition for residents who share their concerns.

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices