After decades-long negotiations, Franklin County has reached an agreement with New York State regarding Land Claim issues and the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe first filed a lawsuit in the 1980s against New York State regarding land purchased from the reservation by the State in the early 19^th century. In 2022, a federal judge ruled that New York State did not have the authority to purchase that land because it was not approved by Congress as required under the Non-Intercourse Act of 1790.

Since New York State illegally purchased the land in the 1820s, local government and state leaders, including Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) when he was Chair of the Franklin County Legislature, have been working together for years to determine the next steps for this Land Claim issue. Compensation for land ownership, taxes and public services like road maintenance and water infrastructure are major concerns for local governments, which is one of the reasons why it has taken so long to reach an agreement. Jones met with Franklin County and State officials on Friday June 2 to finalize the agreement so that Franklin County and the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington are compensated for land and services rendered.

According to the agreement, Franklin County and the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington will receive $15,000,000 for the unrestricted use of the land, as well as $1,875,000 to Franklin County and $937,000 each to the Towns. Back taxes for all real property owned by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe that have been foreclosed on or that have pending unpaid property taxes subject lien will also be paid to Franklin County. Additionally, the state will pay $2,000,000 annually in perpetuity to be split among Franklin County and the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington. Franklin County and the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington have all passed Resolutions in support of this agreement.

“It is good news that Franklin County and New York State have finally come to an agreement on the Land Claim issue that has been under negotiations for over 40 years,” said Jones. “I first started working on this over ten years as the Chair of the Franklin County of Legislature and have continued to work with the State on this after I was elected to the Assembly in 2016. It was a long road to get here but I am glad that we were finally able to come to an agreement and that Franklin County and the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington were rightfully compensated.”

“On behalf of the Franklin County Legislature and the Office of the County Manager, we are pleased to announce that Franklin County has accepted a settlement offer from the State of New York in regard to the Land Claim dispute,” said Donna Kissane, Franklin County Manager. “Meetings have occurred for over 4 decades whereby the County partnered with the Towns of Bombay and Ft. Covington to negotiate with the Mohawk Tribal representatives and the State of New York. This is a monumental day to be able to put forth a resolution accepting the State’s offer as a final step in our negotiations. Thank you to Assemblyman Jones and Senator Stec for their advocacy and commitment to resolving this on behalf of all Franklin County residents.”