By Eileen Buckley
Irving, NY – New York State will be receiving a very hefty bill. The Seneca Nation of Indians says the state owes them more than $2 million for Thruway traffic along the Cattaraugus Reservation.
Seneca leaders announced that they're sending a bill to the governor and department of Transportation while standing along a stretch of the Thurway in Irving Tuesday.
The Nation is charging the state from April through the end of June. The charge, one dollar per car for a three-mile stretch of the Thruway that runs through Indian land. That adds up to $28,000 a day.
The Seneca's say the amount is based on the D-O-T's thruway travel numbers. Seneca president Maurice John says motorist are trespassing on Indian land.
Back in April, the Seneca's rescinded its 1954 land agreement that allowed for that section of the Thruway. But this fight comes as the State's continues plans to begin collecting sales tax for cigarettes and items sold on Indian Reservations. However, John insists this issue is strictly over land.
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