Southampton sues Shinnecock Nation to stop construction on a new travel plaza

The lawsuit, filed Friday, Dec. 20, accuses the Shinnecock Indian Nation of violating local zoning laws and creating a public nuisance.

Jonathan Gordon

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Dec 23, 2024, 10:38 AM

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Updated 3 hr ago

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With ongoing work underway, Southampton town officials have sued the Shinnecock Indian Nation to stop constructing a future travel plaza.

The lawsuit, which was filed on State Supreme Court Friday, Dec. 20, accuses the Shinnecock Indian Nation of creating a public nuisance and violating local and state zoning laws.

"Failure to obtain the necessary approval or permitting regarding building and fire codes, property access, parking, lighting, drainage, public utilities, and noise impacts risks irreparable environmental and community harm," part of the lawsuit reads.

Leaders of the Shinnecock Nation have argued they do not need the town's permission to move forward with the project which they expect will bring back significant revenue.

According to the lawsuit, construction is underway on the 20-bay gas station, 56 parking lot 10-acre travel plaza. The project is expected to include a commercial kitchen, smoke shop, retail and "drive-thru" areas.

Read the full lawsuit below:

The town submitted pictures that show workers have already cleared a "significant portion of forested land" along Newtown Road adjacent to homes on Quail Run. Some of this completed or ongoing work includes paving, removing roads and installing gasoline tanks and steel columns.

In August, the town issued a stop work order but construction never slowed.

Tela Troge, an attorney for the Shinnecock Nation told News 12 in a statement:

The Shinnecock Nation has held unbroken aboriginal title to Westwoods since time immemorial—or at least since the last ice age shaped Long Island. On December 13, 1640, the Town of Southampton signed “the first Indian deed,” which explicitly stated:

News 12 reached out to Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore for comment but hasn't heard back at this time.