St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Ohiari:ha/ June 14 , 2005

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION WILL
OPEN ON JULY 12^th
Public Invited to Attend June 24^th Contract Signing With Waste Stream Management

AKWESASNE , N.Y. — On July 12^th, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will open a new waste transfer station at 179 County Route 43 for community members and haulers to dispose a variety of waste materials and recyclables.

Laura J. Weber, Director of the Tribe’s Solid Waste Program, stated that planning for the transfer station began in 1997 when a grant to develop a comprehensive solid waste management program was received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The transfer station is just one component of the Solid Waste Program that will provide for the safe disposal of wastes.

“A survey conducted in 1995 showed overwhelming community support for a tribally owned and operated transfer station,” said Weber.

The transfer station became a reality when the Tribe received additional funding from the Indian Health Service, United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the facility’s construction, which began in 2003 and was completed October of 2004.

According to Environment Director Ken Jock , “This project while taking many years to achieve will allow tribal members to dispose of their garbage in a state of the art facility that follows our most stringent environmental standards. Laura Weber has shown amazing resourcefulness and persistence in building this facility and providing this service to the community and receives our thanks and appreciation.”

“The Tribe’s transfer station design is unique in that it allows for the storage of garbage outside. In reviewing different transfer station designs, the Tribe selected Haul All’s Modular Transfer Station design. Garbage is placed in two 53-cubic yard storage units called Transtors. The Transtors are fully leak-proof, animal-proof, fire-proof, and water-proof,” said Weber.

Some may wonder how the units may work in the North Country ’s harsh winter weather. Weber says “this is not a problem since the Transtors have been used in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for the past twenty years.” She added, “Having a tested and proven system that works in harsh winter conditions was a key factor that led to the selection of the Transtors.”

Additional equipment needed to safely operate the transfer station has been installed and has been tested during the past few months. The Tribe also needed to secure a hauler to transport wastes from the transfer station to a permitted landfill. A bid was sent out several times in locating a hauler with the right equipment that could provide the service in the most cost efficient manner. Weber noted that finding a hauler with the right equipment to transport the wastes was the biggest challenge for the Tribe in preparing the facility to open.

“Waste Stream is pleased to be working with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in providing comprehensive waste and recycling services for the Reservation,” said Ann Marie Trombley, Waste Stream’s Division Manager – Malone Office. Contract negotiations between the Tribe and Waste Stream Management of Malone were conducted in March of 2005.

The signing of a contract with Waste Stream Management will be held on Friday, June 24^th at 1:30 PM . It will take place at the transfer station and the public is invited to attend, with an official grand opening planned for later this summer.

Refreshments will be served and tours will be provided.

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		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Ohiari:ha/ June 14 , 2005 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION WILL OPEN ON JULY 12^th Public Invited to Attend June 24^th Contract Signing With Waste Stream Management AKWESASNE , N.Y. — On July 12^th, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will open a new waste transfer station at 179 County Route 43 for community members and haulers to dispose a variety of waste materials and recyclables. Laura J. Weber, Director of the Tribe’s Solid Waste Program, stated that planning for the transfer station began in 1997 when a grant to develop a comprehensive solid waste management program was received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The transfer station is just one component of the Solid Waste Program that will provide for the safe disposal of wastes. “A survey conducted in 1995 showed overwhelming community support for a tribally owned and operated transfer station,” said Weber. The transfer station became a reality when the Tribe received additional funding from the Indian Health Service, United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the facility’s construction, which began in 2003 and was completed October of 2004. According to Environment Director Ken Jock , “This project while taking many years to achieve will allow tribal members to dispose of their garbage in a state of the art facility that follows our most stringent environmental standards. Laura Weber has shown amazing resourcefulness and persistence in building this facility and providing this service to the community and receives our thanks and appreciation.” “The Tribe’s transfer station design is unique in that it allows for the storage of garbage outside. In reviewing different transfer station designs, the Tribe selected Haul All’s Modular Transfer Station design. Garbage is placed in two 53-cubic yard storage units called Transtors. The Transtors are fully leak-proof, animal-proof, fire-proof, and water-proof,” said Weber. Some may wonder how the units may work in the North Country ’s harsh winter weather. Weber says “this is not a problem since the Transtors have been used in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for the past twenty years.” She added, “Having a tested and proven system that works in harsh winter conditions was a key factor that led to the selection of the Transtors.” Additional equipment needed to safely operate the transfer station has been installed and has been tested during the past few months. The Tribe also needed to secure a hauler to transport wastes from the transfer station to a permitted landfill. A bid was sent out several times in locating a hauler with the right equipment that could provide the service in the most cost efficient manner. Weber noted that finding a hauler with the right equipment to transport the wastes was the biggest challenge for the Tribe in preparing the facility to open. “Waste Stream is pleased to be working with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in providing comprehensive waste and recycling services for the Reservation,” said Ann Marie Trombley, Waste Stream’s Division Manager – Malone Office. Contract negotiations between the Tribe and Waste Stream Management of Malone were conducted in March of 2005. The signing of a contract with Waste Stream Management will be held on Friday, June 24^th at 1:30 PM . It will take place at the transfer station and the public is invited to attend, with an official grand opening planned for later this summer. Refreshments will be served and tours will be provided. --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.