Forestry Resources

Akwesasne Urban Forest Restoration and Watershed Protection

banner of logos - Forest Service - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

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As part of a local storm water management strategy, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, with help from the U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) will be planting 1,200 new trees to help improve green infrastructure in Akwesasne’s urban forest areas. These trees will help reduce storm water runoff, soil erosion, and sediment/nutrition loading in the rivers and streams in Akwesasne, near shore waters, and great lakes tributaries. Plantings will take place on public parks and private residences with a focus on replacing hazard trees that have been removed and Ash trees that will be lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

What is a Watershed?

Down Woody Debris and Hazard Tree Assessment Program

Down Woody Debris Removal

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Environment Division, Forestry Resources Program is a seasonal program to assist the community with clean up of dead and downed trees, limbs and branches. The chipping project accepts sign-ups in April at their office located at 449 Frogtown Road, Akwesasne, NY 13655. Actual work will begin in late May or early June when weather and ground conditions permit.

Chipping eliminates the need to burn and provides a safe and convenient way to get yards in shape for the summer months. The elderly (ages 65 and older) and disabled (evidenced by state or provincial driver disability licensing, placard or plates) are prioritized and will be served first, although, anyone can sign up. The elderly and disabled who are unable to visit the environment office to sign up can be visited by calling the program with name, phone number and address to arrange a site visit.
Anyone participating in the program will be required to sign an access waiver before work is done on their property. If there is any question regarding land ownership the Tribe reserves the right to refuse services until the issues are cleared up.
Community members are encouraged take advantage of these services by getting in touch with the Forestry Program at (518)358-5937.

Hazard Tree Assessment Program

The hazard tree assessment program identifies trees that pose a danger to life and property and schedules them for possible removal, if necessary. Applications are received throughout the year but actual work and removals are performed during the months of June-November annually.

Hazard Tree services must be requested in person at the Environment Division office, 449 Frogtown Road, Akwesasne unless an elder’s circumstance prevents them from coming into the office or if a person is disabled and can't come to the office. In these case’s the Forestry Program will arrange a home visit. The community is reminded to never attempt tree removal on their own, especially if the tree is near power lines or buildings. If a contractor is called in they should ensure that they are qualified and insured and provide a written quote before proceeding.

Due to the large number of requests for the hazard tree assessments, we were not able to meet them all last year. There is now a waiting list. The list’s priority is based on the risk the tree poses for falling on people and property. Priority is then given to the elderly, retired and disabled members of the community. These additional criteria are used because these individuals are usually on fixed income and aren’t able to obtain resources for this type of work which can be quite expensive.

For additional information and to better understand the services provided see the following document (79 KB)

Hazard Tree Assessment and Removal - Understanding the services provided

Resources

Akwesasne Community Forest Management Plan

Key components of the plan:

The current condition of the Urban and Community Forest
Vision for the future and how that vision will be attained
Goals, Objectives and Actions
The community’s ideas, desires and values of the urban forest
How to care for and maintain the existing urban forest

Akwesasne Mohawk Territory EAB Response Plan

Purpose of the plan:

Provide the community of Akwesasne with a clear understanding of the risks and potential consequences associated with the Emerald Ash Borer
Present the tools and strategies available to respond and adapt to the presence of EAB
Goals and objectives for the continuation of traditional Mohawk Basketry
Existing options for preserving black ash resources

Forest Stand Improvement and Inventory Analysis Amendment Report

Project objectives:

Improve forest health to protect against future stress and invasive species, including emerald ash borer
Reduce the density of ash and increase overall species diversity
Initiate stand regeneration and restore native plant communities
Improve forest resiliency to the effects of climate change
Update forest inventory data

Additional information can be found at Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe: Forest Stand Improvements in Ash

Forest Inventory Analysis Report

Scope of report:

Characterization of the forest in Akwesasne
Results and inventory details of data collected
Recommendations for future management options
Timber values and volumes
Utilization of forest resources

Custodial Forest Management Plan

Purpose of the plan:

Provide information to ensure the long-term health and viability of the forest resources in Akwesasne
Establish minimum management standards and guidelines
Offer specific natural resource management information
Prioritize potential and future forest management options
To provide a list of management options designed to address the diverse interests and priorities of the individual landowners within Akwesasne

Soil Survey of Akwesasne Territory

Information provided from survey:

details of soil properties that are used in making various land use or land treatment decisions
predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses
soil limitations, needed improvements, and impacts of selected land uses on the environment
the location of each soil type on a detailed soil map

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