New York's Senator
CHARLES E. SCHUMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 2, 2000

SCHUMER: WESTERN NEW YORK LANDOWNERS WILL NOT BE TARGETED BY JUSTICE DEPT

Senator Says Justice Dept Will Not File Suit Against Local Landowners On Behalf of Seneca Indian Nation

US Senator Charles E. Schumer said today that the Department of Justice will not pursue a new land claim case against landowners in Western New York despite reports earlier this week indicating that the Interior Department had recommended that it do so. The Justice Department has sole decision- making authority to file land claim lawsuits on behalf of the Interior Department.

"Last night, I called the Associate Attorney General regarding these new reports. Today, the Justice Department has assured me unequivocally that no landowners will be included in any Justice Department land claims lawsuit," Schumer said.

"Our message that landowners of the 21^st century should not be held liable for allegations made against landowners from the 18^th appears to have broken through. The Department's decision not to pursue this case is the right one and I'm sorry that the landowners had to wait as long as they did for it," Schumer continued.

In October, Schumer got the Justice Department to forego an appeal of a decision in its Oneida land claim suit that removed landowners from that case. In that decision, U.S. District Judge Neil P. McCurn in Syracuse issued a lengthy ruling where he excoriated the Departments of Justice and Interior as well as the Oneida tribe for including private landowners in their land claim suits. At Schumer's request, the Justice Department also agreed to launch a formal review of its pending land claim cases.

"A few weeks ago, the Justice Department took a step in the right direction by agreeing not to appeal the decision regarding the landowners in the Oneida case," Schumer said.

"Today, we've seen more progress."

# # #