Tuscarora Nation – Buffalo River NRD 

SPR represented the Tuscarora Nation, who served as a trustee alongside the State of New York and the federal government, in long-running negotiations with companies responsible for the contamination of the Buffalo River. The historical contamination of the river had for many decades prevented the Tuscarora people from using the river for traditional cultural activities. Along with land and funds for restoration projects along the river, the CERCLA natural resource damages (NRD) settlement included funds to support the Tuscarora Nation in efforts to preserve its language and promote ecological initiatives to reconnect Tuscarora people with the land.