TRIBE CORRECTS GRAY'S MISPERCEPTIONS Gray’s Prejudices have no place in Politics

AKWESASNE—The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council responded today to additional inaccurate statements made by St. Lawrence County Legislator R. Shawn Gray. Gray’s most recent comments appeared in a March 4, 2006 Massena Courier Observer article and covered three issues.  Gray incorrectly states:

“There are a number of issues Franklin County has had with the tribe such as the tribe’s transfer station.  The Tribe completely circumvented the Franklin County landfill and built the transfer station without any regulatory agencies involved and with no permitting process and yet they say they want to be good neighbors.”

The Tribe has a strong record in the area of environmental protection and its environmental program continues to receive national recognition for the excellent work it does.  This past December, the Tribe’s Environment Program became the first agency in the United States to exchange air quality data and received a national award from the Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of this effort. The Tribe set its own water quality standards and has a staff of 28 dedicated Mohawk environmental professionals.  Legislator Gray should review the Tribe’s environmental record before making off the cuff remarks such as this.

The Tribal Council would also like to set the record straight on the Transfer Station.  The grand opening of the Transfer Station on August 11, 2005 represented the culmination of eight years of cooperative efforts on the part of the Tribe to provide for the proper disposal of solid waste. The Tribe prepared an Environmental Assessment of the proposed project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Tribal law.  Detailed presentations were made to the Town of Fort Covington Town Board, zoning officer and local residents.  Extensive outreach was conducted for neighboring property owners and they were provided opportunities to raise concerns.

Public notice of the Environmental Assessment was published in the Malone Telegram and thus distributed throughout Franklin County. Two public meetings were held to get comments and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued for the project. The Tribe took great efforts to keep the Town of Fort Covington and its residents informed of the project throughout its design and construction.

During the process of designing and constructing the Transfer Station, there were no major issues identified by neighbors or the Town of Fort Covington.  It was only after the grand opening of the Transfer Station and the Supreme Court Sherrill decision that the Town of Fort Covington raised its concerns about permitting.

The Tribe has since reached out to the Town of Fort Covington to resolve its concerns and believes that substantial progress is being made.  The Tribe and Town have a common interest in ensuring the safe operation of the Transfer Station and the need to protect the health of residents and the local environment. Contrary to Mr. Gray’s sarcastic comments, the Tribe has been and continues to be good neighbors.

In regards to the Tribe completely circumventing the Franklin County landfill, the Tribe would like to know where Legislator Gray is getting his information.  In 2000, the Tribe approached the Franklin County landfill as the first choice to dispose of its solid waste from the Transfer Station.  Unfortunately for Franklin County, and for financial reasons only, the Tribe chose to dispose of its waste at another licensed facility.  The Tribe, like any government, must exercise financial restraint in spending its revenue.  It was economically more feasible to dispose of its solid waste at another location.

Legislator Gray seems to take issue with the unpaid taxes in Franklin County.  He comments that:

“There are also several million dollars in unpaid taxes in Franklin County,”

The Tribe would like to remind Legislator Gray that the issue of unpaid taxes in Franklin County is part of the land claim that the Tribe is trying to resolve. The land claim settlement will address the back tax issue for Franklin County as it calls for the state repaying to Franklin County those back taxes.  While Franklin County has expressed concern over the length of time it will take to be compensated, State Senator Betty Little has publicly stated this time period can be shortened in a new land claim settlement bill.  In addition, the Tribe has, for a number of years, had an agreement in place with Franklin County concerning property in the land claim area that has property taxes owing. 

In making this statement, Legislator Gray insinuates the common misbelief that Native Americans don’t pay property taxes or any taxes.  However, the 2000 U.S. Census indicated there were 977 Native Americans living in St. Lawrence County in 339 households.  To the Tribe’s knowledge, these Native Americans are paying their property taxes, as are Mohawks who own property in Franklin County but not residing on the Akwesasne territory. So in the process of again making negative inferences about Mohawks, Legislator Gray is in fact criticizing some of his Native American constituents due to the close proximity of Massena to Akwesasne.

Legislator Gray also references the three Natives being charged by police with illegally hunting in the Robert Moses State Park in Barnhart Island.  He states:

“Their argument is they can hunt on Barnhart Island because they are not subject to our laws.  If there is an agreement reached (on land claims), how can we be sure it will be abided by if some factions believe they are not subject to the laws here,”

Legislator Gray should be careful to not use the actions of a few and then apply it to the entire community.  It is also important to point out that this hunting was done for ceremonial purposes, a use consistent with the long-standing history of the Akwesasne community.  The hunters did not attempt to hide their activity and cooperated with the authorities when they were approached.  Hunting on Barnhart Island was first requested by Akwesasne Mohawks during discussions with the New York Power Authority as part of the land claim negotiations.

Access to a State Park for hunting is not a unique request.  The Tribe is aware there are ongoing discussions at other State Parks to allow hunting within State Parks.  There was just such an article in the January 27, 2006 edition of the Post-Standard. Edward Heinrich, director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s central region is quoted in that article commenting on deer hunting coming to Green Lakes State Park:

“Our approach is that it adds another recreational opportunity,”

However, while promoting this opportunity for community members, the Tribe does share in the mutual interest in ensuring such activity does not put at risk the general public nor endanger the operation of the St. Lawrence – FDR Hydroelectric plant. This can be accomplished through a negotiated agreement to define the terms for when hunting can occur and what weapons can be used, a discussion the Akwesasne community has been having with the New York Power Authority and State Park officials.

In conclusion, the Tribal Council believes that erroneous statements made by public officials arising out of their ignorance need to be responded to quickly to protect the integrity of the Tribe and the Akwesasne community. They urge these officials to refrain from forming public opinions on issues involving the Mohawk community that they are unfamiliar with. The Council is always willing to share information to help others understand the complexities of the Akwesasne community and its relationships with its neighbors.

“We welcome constructive dialogue on the land claim settlement.  It is only through good communication amongst all parties that a lasting resolution will be found, “stated the Tribal Council.

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