Akwesasne , NY – Representatives of the Seaway, Canada , United States and Akwesasne leadership today announced their signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that lays the foundation for future cooperation between the parties in respect to the environment of the St. Lawrence River .

“This agreement represents an important step in improving the relationship between these respective agencies and the Akwesasne community,” said St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief James W. Ransom. “Together, we will work to ensure that all uses of the river are considered when ice-breaking and other Seaway activities are planned,” he added.

Leadership of the Akwesasne Mohawk community has been meeting with representatives of the respective American and Canadian Seaway Administrative staff and other federal representatives for the past two years to resolve issues related to Seaway navigation. Mohawks have concerns in regards to ice-breaking and early season shipping on the St. Lawrence.  These concerns centered on environmental and shoreline damage caused by ice-breaking as well as potential harm to fish habitat and disruption to spawning areas.

“It is our intention to establish a positive working relationship with the Seaway on a new footing that will benefit the environment of the river and the community of Akwesasne,” commented Tim Thompson, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief. “This MOU will allow for our contribution to the Seaway’s decision making process for the “Opening” of the Seaway and its ice-breaking operations,” he added.

In March 2004, the Mohawk governments initiated court actions against Canada and the American Seaway agency alleging that the Seaway was not fulfilling the requirements of federal environmental laws in conducting ice-breaking and early season navigation on the St. Lawrence River .  Since then, all of the parties have been meeting to address Mohawk concerns and to develop an agreement that reflects a new and improved relationship between the parties. The signing of the MOU will end the litigation on a without prejudice basis.

The MOU includes the following highlights:

Ø      An agreement as to the criteria to be applied annually in deciding upon the opening of the navigation season.

Ø      Annual exchange of information between the Seaway and Akwesasne leadership on the opening date of the navigation season.

Ø      Advance notice provided to the Akwesasne leadership of the opening date.

Ø      Akwesasne representation on the ice breaker to personally observe ice-breaking activities in the vicinity of Akwesasne.

Ø      Joint funding in the undertaking of a three-year observational study of ice breakup in the vicinity of Akwesasne.

Ø      Limits to the length of the navigation season. Navigation season to end no later than January 10 and will not begin any earlier than March 15 except in the case of national emergencies.

Ø      Any decisions to close later or start earlier will require an environmental assessment consistent with federal laws.

The Akwesasne leadership wanted to commend everyone involved for creating the atmosphere for the MOU to occur. 

“This MOU came about because of the commitment of senior leadership within the Seaway to get this done.  We applaud them for taking a hands-on approach and to their staff for their willingness to work with us to find a mutually beneficial solution,” said Chief Ransom.

“As well, we commend all of our staff for their role in getting this done. They represented the Akwesasne community in an exemplary manner and we are grateful for their contributions,” concluded Grand Chief Thompson.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.