Land clearing

Woodlands have real value for all of us — for our individual good health as well as the environment. Yet our town does little to protect them.

Eleven acres of woodlands that was clear-cut to allow a developer to mine sand to fill low-lying areas on its 42-acre site won't be developed any time soon — leaving a vast empty space adjoining residents' backyards. The developer has submitted plans to build five new large stores on the Costco site.

Some residents at Foxwood Village, a senior citizen community off Middle Road in Calverton, are walking around their backyards in stunned silence...