The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York will benefit from a settlement that addresses pollution on the St. Lawrence River.

Alcoa Inc. and Reynolds Metals Company agreed to pay $19.4 million for releasing hazardous substances into the river. Most of the money, $18.5 million, will be combined with $1.8 million from a bankruptcy settlement with General Motors, resulting in a total of $20.3 million for restoration efforts.

“One of the most important aspects of this settlement is to understand the relationship between the environment and Mohawk culture, society and our economy,” Chief Randy Hart said in a press release. “It’s the most important relationship for any tribe, not just the Mohawks. This settlement gives us the opportunity to restore some facets of that relationship to contemporary Mohawk culture, especially in terms of the relationship between elders and younger community members.”

The settlement includes the state of New York and the federal government.

Get the Story:
Alcoa Aluminum Factories Settle $19.4 Million for Pollution of St. Lawrence River Watershed, Most Will Fund Restoration of Tribal Culture, Recreational Fishing, and Habitat (NOAA Blog 3/27)
$20M settlement for St. Lawrence River pollution (AP 3/27)
Ecological-damage settlement (The Plattsburgh Press-Republican 3/27)
Alcoa and Renolds Metal pay $20.3 million in settlements for damage to St. Lawrence River (The Watertown Daily Times 3/27)