The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Hosts Focus Groups for Kawehno:ke Corridor Improvement Project

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environment has conducted a series of community focus meetings in regards to the Kawehno:ke Corridor Improvement Project, in which the MCA has invited and encouraged Kawehno:ke residents to attend these meetings and contribute feedback on the proposed preliminary plans for the improvements.  Project Lead, Curtis Lazore, stated that, “nothing has been decided as of yet, as far as designs go, and we are urging community members to offer feedback on what they would like to see in the corridor, or to address any concerns they may have.” 

A focus meeting was held on May 15^th, 2017, at the Anowarakowa Arena, to initiate community conversation and contribution to this project.  Lazore stated, “May was a good month to kick off community information sessions to start and gather feedback on the Kawehno:ke Bridge Corridor Improvement Project.  As mentioned at these meetings, an MCA Working Group is meeting regularly to poll the community on what they would like to see in the bridge corridor.  We are essentially picking up where planning and design had stopped in 2009, with the relocation of the CBSA and the SIBC toll booth to the Northshore.” 

The FBCL approached the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne to become directly involved with the community consultations and design concepts identified in the final stages of the Three Nation’s Bridge Crossing demolition and replacement.  Sixteen Kawehno:ke District residents attended the May  8^th District Meeting, and more than 20 members attended the first Focus Meeting on May 15^th.

The Kawehno:ke Corridor Improvement project has a working group, comprised of MCA departments and programs that will oversee the last concept design, est. 2009, through to fruition.  The project began in 2002, when the first Environmental Assessment (EA) was initiated, for the North Channel Bridge Replacement.  In November 2004, the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) released a preliminary design to widen International Rd., and improve the North Corridor and increase efficiency at the Three Nations Bridge crossing. 

The corridor improvements will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the Three Nations Bridge Crossing by the widening of International Rd., and the creation of access roads on either side of International Rd.  After conceptual planning of the Seaway International Bride Corp. (SIBC) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was initiated in October of 2005, MCA Environment was able to complete a Harmonized Environmental Assessment Report (HEAR), in January of 2006. 

Six years later, in July of 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2112, (CEAA 2012) was created, requiring an Environmental Effects Evaluation form for a “Non-Basic Project.”  The FBCL chose to conduct an EA harmonizing CEAA 2012 process with the MCA EA process, and will follow the Federal EA guidelines, not contingent on MCA approval. 

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Departments of Tehotiiennawakon and Technical Services were awarded contract to complete the work on a Harmonized Environmental Assessment (HEA) for the North Corridor and the possible Ironworkers Memorial Park, proposed at the foot of the north span bridge.  The HEA will consist of extensive knowledge from the people, beginning with the Ohenton Kariwatekwen, which will allow taking into account the impacts to the people, the earth, the waters, and everything right through the words before all else. 

A communication plan will help facilitate this assessment under the CEAA 2012 that will adhere to a checklist consisting of: Physical and cultural heritage; current use of the land and resources for traditional purposes by aboriginal persons; structures, sites, or things of historic, archaeological, paleontological, or architectural significance; human health and safety; and socio-economic impacts will all be covered.

The HEA will cover the communication plan, site visits, interview, document reviews, as well as historical research and archeological research.  MCA Departments involved with this project include the Department of Tehotiiennawakon, the Dept. of Technical Services, the Office of Vital Statistics, the Communications Unit, Public Safety, and Mohawk Government. 

The upcoming meetings for the Kawehno:ke Corridor Improvement Project will be: Thursday, June 8^th, 2017 from 11am-12pm at the SRMT Seniors Center; Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 6pm to 8pm at the Tsi:snaihne Recreation Center; and Monday, June 26^th, 2017 from 6pm to 8pm at Anowarakowa Arena- Turtle Room. 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact the project lead, Curtis Lazore at Curtis.lazore@akwesasne.ca, or at (613)575-2250 Ext. 1044.

By: Ohseraseia:hawi

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