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.
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 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.
