The Seneca Nation Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has initiated a public review

The Seneca Nation Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has initiated a public review

process for the proposed "Front Ave over Titus Run Project", a construction initiative submitted

by the City of Salamanca Department of Public Works. The project entails the replacement or

upgrade of a culvert and the construction of a bridge over Titus Run, located within Seneca

Nation Territory.

As the project falls under the jurisdiction of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA),

specifically Section 404, it requires certification from the Seneca Nation to ensure compliance

with the Seneca Nation's water quality standards. In accordance with CWA § 401, the EPD is

soliciting comments from the public and relevant agencies regarding its proposed certification

of the CWA § 404 permit for this project, which is anticipated to proceed under the Nationwide

Permit. EPD's review process aims to assess the project's potential environmental impacts and

ensure that it aligns with the Seneca Nation's water quality requirements, and stakeholders are

encouraged to provide input during this critical evaluation phase.

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PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED CWA § 401 CERTIFICATION

by the

SENECA NATION ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT

Project: On June 5, 2024, the Seneca Nation (Nation) Environmental Protection Department

(EPD) received a completed “Permit Application for Construction Projects Within Waterways”

from City of Salamanca Department of Public Works. The Project herein known as “Front Ave

over Titus Run Project” or “Project” carries a detailed scope of work which includes as follows:

replacement/and or upgrade of the culvert and construction of bridge over Titus Run, to be

identified as BIN # 6600240, and residing within the territory of the Nation.

The Project is anticipated to proceed under the CWA § 404 Nationwide Permit (NWP).

The Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires certification of the Project under CWA § 401 from

the Nation that the Project will meet the Nation’s water quality requirements. Accordingly, EPD

seeks public and agency comments regarding its proposed certification of the CWA § 404 permit

at issue.

CWA § 401 Water Quality Certification: Under CWA § 401, a federal agency may not issue a

permit or license to conduct any activity which may result in any discharge into waters of the

United States unless a Section 401 water quality certification is issued or waived by the state or

authorized tribe where the discharge will originate. The Nation was approved by U.S. EPA to

administer a CWA § 401 program on March 12, 2021.

Public Comment Period: Pursuant to CWA § 401(a)(1), the public comment period for the

proposed CWA § 401 certification of “Front Ave over Titus Run Project” by EPD is thirty (30)

days from the date of publication of this notice in the August 15th Community News Section of the

SNI Newsletter and other publicly available locations. Agency representatives and members of the

public are encouraged to submit written comments to EPD, by 4:30pm on September 15, 2025, as

follows:

•

by email at epd@sni.org or

•

by USPS mail to the Seneca Nation Environmental Protection Department, 84 Iroquois

Drive, Irving NY 14081, Attention: Jordan Parker Buffalo Water Program Manager

Copies: A copy of this CPWW Application is available under the “documents” tab at the EPD

website, here: https://sni.org/community-services/environmental-protection/ or may be requested

by contacting the email shown above, with the title, “Request for Copy of Front Ave Over Titus

Run CPWW Application” in the subject line.

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