Some residents in Cortlandt Manor say they are outraged by tree clearing conducted as part of the Algonquin pipeline construction.

Workers on Tuesday began chopping down a patch of trees along Peach Tree Drive. Area residents say the roughly 30 trees are on a piece of land through which the natural gas pipeline will never pass.

Residents also say that workers told them the land is being set aside to store equipment.

Spectra Energy responded with a statement in which it says: "Tree clearing is being conducted on property owned by Spectra. The tree clearing is for temporary work space for the AIM Project in accordance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Certificate, which approved the AIM Project and authorized Spectra to proceed with construction."

Work on the pipeline replacement project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.