SALAMANCA, NY – The Seneca Nation is working to reestablish its relationship with a key federal agency responsible for the forced relocation of its people 60 years ago, with the goal of creating a foundation for future dialogue.
Nation leaders hosted representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) on the Nation’s Allegany Territory. During a more than hourlong discussion, Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca and Col. Nicholas Melin, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes consultation procedures for a meaningful, timely and collaborative process when the Army Corps (Pittsburgh District) is planning and implementing civil works projects and programs that implicate or have a direct effect on the Nation and its members.
“Our agreement sets in place a framework that requires meaningful dialogue and consultation between the Army Corps and the Seneca Nation on matters that affect us,” said President Seneca. “This commitment has been lacking for decades. This MOU does not mean that we will always agree, but I hope it leads to a better relationship and better results for the Seneca Nation and our people.”
“The Corps of Engineers is committed to realigning its partnership and rebuilding trust with the Seneca Nation,” said Col. Melin. “This Memorandum of Understanding sets the framework for us to navigate challenges together through open and meaningful consultation, collaboration, and communication.”
The meeting follows another meeting between Nation leaders and Army Corps officials that took place in Washington last year, through the assistance and coordination of Congressman Nick Langworthy.
“It was clear to everyone at that meeting that the relationship between the Seneca Nation and the Army Corps needs to be better,” said Seneca. “The consultation practices that had been followed previously were nominal and nothing that the Nation could reliably count on.”
The MOU comes as the Army Corps is preparing for an upcoming dam safety modification study to plan for the future of the Kinzua Dam, which was built in the 1960s to help alleviate flooding in Pittsburgh and provide cheap hydropower for downstream users. Approximately 10,000 acres of Nation land were taken by the United States over the Nation’s objection without just compensation, and hundreds of Seneca families were forced from their homes as part of the dam’s construction, despite the Nation and its engineering consultants presenting an alternative plan.
“It’s been more than 60 years since the devastating removal of our people and the loss and destruction of our lands,” said Seneca. “We were never justly compensated for that destruction. Our people still suffer the pain and trauma associated with our forced removal from our own home. Any talk of rebuilding the dam reopens those wounds. If the Corps finds any concerns about the safety and condition of the dam, then in our opinion, it should be removed with a new dam built downstream. Under the framework of the MOU we signed today, the Nation will have meaningful input on what ultimately happens.”
