Seneca Nation Applauds Updated Consent Order Between New York State and City of Olean to Prevent Ongoing Wastewater Overflows into the Allegheny River (Ohi:yo’)
CATTARAUGUS TERRITORY, IRVING, N.Y. – The Seneca Nation is applauding a recently announced updated agreement between the City of Olean and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation aimed at finally putting an end to the chronic discharge of untreated sewage from the City’s wastewater treatment system into the Ohi:yo’, the Seneca name for the Allegheny River.
The City and NYSDEC entered into an updated Order on Consent in late September, replacing an earlier order originally issued in 2001, which was subsequently revised multiple times. Under the prior order, the City of Olean would have had until 2042 to become fully compliant in upgrading its wastewater treatment facilities to prevent discharges into the river. Under the revised order, all work must be completed no later than November 30, 2028, an acceleration of 14 years.
The Seneca Nation has vocally and forcefully pushed for action and tangible solutions to the chronic overflows from the City’s wastewater infrastructure into the river. Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca identified the problem as a priority issue upon his election in November 2024, and raised it directly with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton in face-to-face meetings in Albany in March.
“The new Order of Consent and accelerated timeframe it provides is a major victory for the Seneca people and everyone who lives along, enjoys and depends upon the river,” President Seneca said. “We would not allow the health of Ohi:yo’ to be sacrificed, compromised and ignored for one day longer. We are gratified that Governor Hochul, Commissioner Lefton and her leadership team at the DEC took swift action in responding to our community’s concerns and stepped forward with a realistic, actionable plan to finally address this ongoing public health problem. Their willingness to work with us, provide Olean with $500,000 in assistance that we asked for, and to tackle this crisis head-on is very much appreciated.”
An approximate 35-mile stretch of the river is located on Seneca Nation territory. Many Nation members live along the river and regularly swim, fish and boat in its waters. Since 2007, there have been 46 recorded discharges from the city’s system into the river, resulting in millions of gallons of dangerous waste flowing through communities downstream, including the Nation’s Allegany Territory. In April and June 2024 alone, overflow events resulting from heavy rains in the area accounted for more than 460,000 gallons of untreated wastewater being discharged into the river.
After the March meeting between President Seneca and Governor Hochul, the Governor directed then incoming NYSDEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton to meet with the Nation to discuss the discharge issue. That meeting took place a week later. In April, President Seneca and Olean Mayor William Aiello announced the creation of a joint task force to find long-needed solutions to the discharge problem. In June, New York State announced $500,000 in aid to fund an engineering study, which is currently underway.
President Seneca gave credit to many who have lent their voices to the public calls for the City to take action in addressing the discharge and overflow issues. Several members of the Seneca Nation Council, including Councillors Lisa Maybee, Odie Porter, Tina Abrams, Klint Nephew, Jonathan D. Williams, Joshua Becker, members of the Defend Ohi:yo’ advocacy group, several Seneca Nation citizens, and residents of Olean and surrounding communities regularly attended Olean Common Council meetings to call for action by the City’s elected leaders.
“We have proved that our voices and our persistence carry significant strength,” President Seneca said. “The working relationship we have developed with both the State of New York and the City of Olean over this important issue will finally ensure that our current and future generations will no longer have to deal with the vile impacts the river has experienced for decades. The waters of Ohi:yo’ will be beautiful once again.”