The overall mission of the Department of Planning & Infrastructure is to provide coordinated expertise and services in construction, inspection services, procurement of services, roads maintenance and infrastructure/transportation planning.

This department also operates and supervises the water treatment plant and sewer treatment plant. It is involved in all permitting required i.e. environmental assessments, wetlands permits, EPA discharge permits and daily monitoring reports for water and sewer plants.

The sewer plant was brought into compliance with our discharge permit for the first time in January of 2003 after some modifications to the treatment process.

New York State DOT permits are also required for various construction projects in and around the state highways on the Territory. The Department maintains a close relationship with our local DOT personnel.

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has been in existence since 2000 and is largely funded through grant applications from the USEPA, the USDA, the Indian Health Service, Housing and Urban Development and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Tribal General Fund allocates annual funding for the operation and maintenance of the water, sewer plants and the distribution/collection systems.

Projects
East River Water Enhancement Initiative
The largest of the projects, this initiative is a result of “Operation Salt” from 1999. The Tribe received millions of dollars in federal funding to provide residents east of the St. Regis River with public water. The eight-phased approach involved building a new treatment plant for increased capacity (1 million gallons per day) and seven water line extension projects.

The following is a summary of grant awards received and costs for the water plant construction and subsequent water line extensions.

Grant Awards 1999 - Present

Phase Costs

Raquette Point Road Reconstruction
We are presently in the final planning stages for this project. It is being funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Funded by HUD, Indian Health Service and the Tribe, the upgrade is under construction. Once completed, the plant will have a treatment capacity of 200,000 gallons per day and the sewer line expansion will begin. This initiative is also being phased in and should take a number of years to complete.

Scattered Sites
Annual funding is received from the Indian Health Service for the construction of individual septic systems and water line connections for new home construction. Applications are considered on an ongoing basis.

It is of utmost importance to new home builders to allow for proper amount of planning time for items such as water and sewer as well as contacting National Grid for power connections. We have a large number of applications for the 2008 construction season. Most of these applicants applied in 2007.

Sports Fields and Playgrounds
The Department has been actively involved in the construction of a lacrosse/soccer field, toddler playground, a pavilion, and a restroom directly across from the Seniors facility in Akwesasne. This project is being funded by the Tribe’s General Fund.

Future Projects
The Police and Ambulance Building improvements are awaiting funding notification from the USDA. The project will add on to the existing police station and create additional office space and vehicle bays for the ambulance unit. The Department hopes to begin construction this year.

The Youth Athletic Facility and Health & Wellness Facility projects are in the very early stages of planning. The Department is still seeking comments on the design before submitting grant applications to obtain funding.

The proposed sports complex includes basketball courts, a 1/4 mile track and multi-use playing field, toddler playground, 1 mile recreational trail with exercise stations, and a fieldhouse. The field may include an open court for basketball, volleyball, tennis and badminton. Rooms in the fieldhouse have been designated for offices, classrooms and trainers' rooms. Other options include a weight room/fitness center, rock climbing wall and racquetball courts.

The proposed Health & Wellness Facility could include an assisted living center, Hospital, Partridge House (Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation facility), and the Diabetes Center for Excellence. The site plan also includes a 2 mile recreational walking trail with exercise stations.

General Reminders to the Community
Please call our office before you dig in and around water mains and/or service lines. We have had a number of occasions where these lines have been damaged by excavation. It is the homeowners’ responsibility to cover these expenses since the department will only provide service from the main line to the curb box.

Any connections to the water system need to be supervised by water department staff. Please call our office to insure that this happens. There shall be no 'T' off from an existing service line. Each home should have it’s own shut off, in case of an emergency service line break. The only people authorized to turn on or turn off service are water department staff. Call our office to have this done.

Use of water hydrants is strictly prohibited. No filling of pools or tanker trucks are authorized by hydrant use. We have had hydrants damaged because of this practice. The only authorized users of fire hydrants are water department staff and the Fire Department. If you notice unauthorized use of a hydrant or tampering, please contact the Tribal Police or the Water Department. This is considered to be a serious offense. It is the community’s water supply, please help to ensure its safety.

Contact us if you have any questions:

Ernie Thompson, 358-2272 ext 282
Director of Planning & Infrastructure

Shawn Martin, 358-2272 ext 268
Public Works Manager: Water and Sewer

Travis Solomon, 358-9213
Construction Manager

Julie Light, 358-2272 ext 185
Administrative Assistant

Moochie Bero, 358-6159
Operator