ALBANY — An Adirondack environmental group is challenging New York state snowmobile policy changes in court.

Protect the Adirondacks says new road-like 12-foot-wide “community connector” trails would require cutting thousands of trees in the Adirondacks, in violation of the state constitution’s “forever wild” clause. The group said the trails also would allow large grooming machines, in violation of state law.

Snowmobilers say that the changes promote economic development and that the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Adirondack Park Agency did thorough reviews before adopting them.

Protect the Adirondacks estimates the connector trail system planned by DEC will result in cutting more than 8,000 trees and clear-cutting almost 50 acres of the forest preserve. The group advocates narrower trails groomed by a drag pulled by a snowmobile.

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