New York Attorney General Letitia James, Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams, and Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sidney Hill have announced the transfer of over 1,000 acres in Tully Valley to the Onondaga Nation. This significant land return is part of a settlement with Honeywell International under the Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) program.
“Today is a historic day for New York and for the Onondaga Nation,” said Attorney General James. “For too long, Indigenous communities have been forced from their ancestral homelands, and I am proud that we can begin to right some of those wrongs by returning this resource-rich land to its rightful caretakers.”
Governor Hochul highlighted the significance of the headwaters: “Onondaga Creek’s headwaters hold profound significance for the Onondaga Nation...Establishing this preserve is a remarkable collaboration to restore access to ancestral lands and waters.”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Williams emphasized recognition of the Nation's stewardship: “Today, we recognize the Onondaga Nation as the rightful caretakers of their homelands."
Tadodaho Sidney Hill expressed gratitude for reclaiming part of their historical lands: “The headwaters of Onondaga Creek in the Tully Valley are part of the system...and we are grateful that...we return to our stewardship.”
DEC Interim Commissioner Mahar acknowledged ongoing restoration efforts despite past industrial damage: “The degradation...can never be fully repaired, but today’s historic announcement celebrates a key milestone.”
This land includes two nature preserves in Tully Valley—South Forest Nature Preserve (758.1 acres) and North Forest Nature Preserve (264.9 acres)—featuring diverse ecosystems like wetlands, forests, and fields supporting various wildlife species.
The NRDAR projects stem from legal actions addressing environmental damages from mercury releases into sacred territories linked with Honeywell operations. These initiatives aim to restore ecological balance while considering cultural impacts on Indigenous communities.
For more information about these restoration efforts or details regarding this settlement process involving multiple agencies including USFWS and DEC, visit their respective websites.
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