Stec Pleased with Deal for Franklin County Concerning St. Regis Land Claim

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today expressed his pleasure with the new settlement between New York State and Franklin County over the St. Regis Mohawk land claim issue. The claim was originally filed in 1982, and one of the major sticking points in negotiations was the state’s unwillingness to provide proper recompense to Franklin County for the return of land to the Mohawk people.  

Stec took an active role in several meetings with state negotiators, Franklin County officials and other vested parties to urge New York to improve its financial offer to the county and finally end this longstanding issue. 

“I’m thrilled that a deal between New York State and Franklin County over the St. Regis Mohawk land claim has finally been reached,” said Stec. “The state’s refusal to increase its offer to the county drew this process out for far too long. I’m glad I was able to assist Franklin County officials and state negotiators in helping to increase funding for the county and end the stalemate over this 41-year-old land claim issue.” 

“Franklin County Legislators and the County Managers, along with the Towns of Bombay and Ft. Covington representatives have worked for over four decades to settle the Mohawk Land Claim dispute,” said Franklin County Manager Donna Kissane. “An offer from the State of New York was accepted today; this is a historic, monumental day to be able to put forth a resolution accepting the State’s offer as the final step in our negotiations. Thank you to Senator Stec and Assemblyman Jones for their advocacy and all of the hard work done by all parties in moving this forward.”