By CRAIG FREILICH

GOUVERNEUR -- A Gouverneur man is posting a $500 reward in an effort to stop a case of what he calls environmental terrorism on his dream property.

Richard Lutinski, of Little Bow Road, says that in the six years since he moved here from Connecticut he got used to deer remains occasionally being dumped onto part of his property.

But recently it has reached a new level, Lutinski says, and is becoming "a major problem.

In just the last few days, he said, upwards of 200 tires a some bed mattresses have been dumped, and some beaver and raccoon carcasses.

"I've been nice about it, but it's become embarrassing, disgusting, out of control," Lutinski said.

So he is offering a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

He is so serious about it in part because this remote spot in St. Lawrence County makes him happy.

"Since I was a young lad I've dreamed about this. It took a while but I found what I want. I'm not giving up. All I ask is that people respect other people's property.

"People used to put pieces of carcasses on my land," leftovers from hunters, he imagines, but more recently carcasses have been wrapped in heavy plastic, preventing their quick decomposition.

He said that people take advantage of his remote piece of land by dumping trash there, "but I'm handicapped and I can't clean it up."

Lutinski says he has reported it all to the Department of Environmental Conservation and they have been working on it, but he acknowledges that their officers have more and more territory and responsibilities to cover as available state money has dwindled.

"It's interesting that after deer carcasses are dumped I get a card from a local real estate agent asking if I want to sell my property. This has happened several times. I don't want to name any names, but he owns some property adjoining this. I just think it's interesting."

He also says that a couple of years ago he became concerned about his safety and that of others when he found, "I swear, 500 beer cans out there." He suggests it could be hunters, or kids on ATVs.

And it bothers him that a couple of windows in his house have been shot out over the years.

"I've tried to be nice and let it go the last couple of years, but I can't anymore. I'm afraid the carcasses will eventually poison my well."

"I love it here. I think it's the most beautiful area" -- better than spots he's looked at in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. "I don't understand that people don't respect what they have."

Anyone who wishes to take him up on his reward offer may call him at 287-0417.