46. Richard Amper

The executive director of the Pine Barrens Association, Amper, sometimes called LI’s premier environmental activist, has stopped at least 238 commercial projects worth more than $10 billion. Although he recently suffered a setback when Pataki declined to take enforcement duties from local governments, he’s not likely to give up the fight that has consumed him for more than a decade. LOVE HIM for taking on absolutely everyone. HATE HIM for never shutting up about those Pine Barrens.