WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island man has sued the state for cutting down nine trees on his property as part of a runway expansion project at the state’s main airport.
The Providence Journal reports that Lawrence Morra, of Warwick, filed suit in U.S. District Court this month after the state Department of Transportation cut down the trees in 2017 as part of a runway project at T.F. Green Airport.
The suit alleges the state violated his due process rights and caused him emotional distress by cutting down the trees without fair and just compensation.
He says the trees held memories of his childhood because he planted some of them with his late father.
Morra says he’s seeking at least $1 million.
A spokeswoman for the Transportation Department declined comment citing pending litigation.
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