ALBANY – The Court of Appeals heard arguments yesterday about the Karner Blue butterfly, the Hognose snake and the Eastern Spadefoot toad in the context of what one lawyer for the state termed another rare species—environmental groups that have been granted legal standing to challenge developments based on environmental impact.
Assistant Solicitor General Andrew B. Ayres, appearing on behalf of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, supported the private environmental groups. He argued that the Court should clarify interpretations of its 1991 ruling and affirm that environmental groups often have standing to challenge projects that could affect land, water, air and wildlife.
