Stony Brook University Students and the Stony Brook
Environmental Conservancy filed a lawsuit to try and protect a
12 acre environmentally sensitive wooded area on the campus.
The group was successful in getting a temporary restraining
order to stop trees from being cut down to make way for a hotel.
However, Thursday a judge in Riverhead lifted the restraining
order.  The group's attorney George Locker argued that cutting
down the trees would do interruptable damage.  The assistant
state attorney general representing the college testified the
development was shovel ready in the summer, and already $1
million was lost, and if the project didn't start soon, it would
be held up until after the winter.  Construction of the hotel is
expected bring jobs and services to the campus. The group still
plans on suing to try and stop the project, claiming it violates
state law. A private developer was awarded the contract to build
on state land that is considered public property.  Locker said
the suit had nothing to do w