The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) applauds yesterday’s announcement that more than 1,000 acres in central New York’s Tully Valley will be returned to the Onondaga Nation, creating a sanctuary for fish and wildlife.
“This is a tremendous milestone,” said FLLT Executive Director Andrew Zepp. “We applaud everyone involved and strongly support this effort. The FLLT hopes to have opportunities to work with the Onondaga Nation and other Haudenosaunee Nations on similar projects in the future.”
The agreement to return the land was forged by representatives of the Onondaga Nation, New York State, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. The land transfer is being undertaken as part of a settlement agreement with Honeywell, Inc. for past damage to Onondaga Lake. The property will be subject to a conservation easement held by New York State.
The Tully Valley property to be transferred encompasses a mix of fields, forests, and wetlands with extensive frontage on Onondaga Creek. A diversity of wildlife is present and native brook trout are found on a portion of the site.
