MCK approves exchange with private land owner

04/24/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform Kahnawakehrónon that it has formally accepted an offer from a private land owner to exchange approximately 45 acres< of common land.

The private owner, Derek White, proposed a one-for-one exchange of lands he owns near Lot 106 (the housing development in the ‘South Texas’ area) for lands adjacent to the Chateauguay border in the ‘Jurassic Park’ area. To clarify further, this is to the west of the new golf course being built in the area near Route 138.

“We agreed to this exchange because the land that the community will receive is adjacent to the Lot 106 common lands, which are designated for housing” said Lands Portfolio Chief Clinton Phillips. “The land is located between five other major parcels of common lands which will create a large network and may open some other landlocked lands in the immediate area. It’s very much a win-win scenario.”

“For environmental purposes, the stand of older pines in the ‘Jurassic Park’ area was not included in the exchange,” he clarified. “This area remains as community land and will be protected from development.”

After due diligence and the recommendation of the MCK Lands Unit, the motion to accept was passed at the Council Meeting of 22 Onerahtókha/April. Eleven Council chiefs supported the motion, with Chief Lloyd Phillips objecting on principle, indicating he is in favor of land exchanges in which the community receives a better ratio than one-to-one.