SRMT Environment Division Responds to Petroleum Spill

Dec 16, 2021

AKWESASNE -- On Monday, Tsiothóhrha/December 13, 2021; the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division activated their Emergency Response Team to inspect the presence of petroleum that has spread to Tribal Property near the former-Mohawk Bingo Palace, located at the intersection of State Route 37 and Frogtown Road in Akwesasne, NY. The spill area was traced to a pump discharging from a construction site situated immediately south of the former-Broken Arrow Gas Station’s Petroleum Bulk Storage Tanks, belonging to Faith Thomas.

The Emergency Response Team observed petroleum contaminants migrating from the spill area and entering the stormwater collection system at the former-Mohawk Bingo Palace, which discharges to the roadside ditch that runs along Frogtown Road. The petroleum release ran from the ditch downstream to an unnamed tributary that flows north under State Route 37 to its confluence with the Raquette River.

A complete assessment of the petroleum spill, including its full extent and impact to Tribal natural resources, is currently ongoing. In the meantime, an incident report was made to the National Response Center’s Spill Notification System and temporary measures are being used to contain the spill area until a long-term remedy is available.

Individuals are asked to please avoid contact with the absorbent materials that have been placed in the above locations. Community members are also asked to use caution, avoid the areas if possible, and to report any potential fish and wildlife impacts to the Environment Division.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the SRMT Environment Division’s Emergency Response Team at (518) 358-5937.

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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.