Summary
In November 2022, the Potsdam Town Council unanimously passed a resolution granting rights to the portion of the Raquette River that runs through the town. The resolution states that “the Raquette River should be recognized as having certain legally enforceable rights; and that residents of the Town of Potsdam should have the legal ability to enforce those rights.” The Town is now moving forward to craft a local binding law and secure the inherent Rights of the Raquette River / Ahná:wate. Council Member Lynn Hall helped write and introduce the resolution. Locally, the movement is being led through the North Country Rights of Nature, a group of advocates of all ages, led by Tzintzun Iguar-Izzo and Blake Lavia.