Maps & Boundaries

The Seneca Nation Maps & Boundaries Department has been in existence since 1980. One of the main responsibilities of this department is surveying and providing weights of evidence for court issues.

Surveying is the art of measuring horizontal and vertical distances between objects, of measuring angles between lines, of determining the direction of lines, and of establishing points by predetermining the direction of lines, and of establishing points by predetermined angular and linear measurements.

Maps & Boundaries Surveyors may appear in court as a litigant or expert witness on measurements or evidence. Surveyors do not determine disputed boundary/property lines. That is determined by the courts.

All survey request forms for the Seneca Nation territories can be obtained and submitted to the Clerk's Office in order for a survey to be conducted. The form can also be found below.
Note: Please read the cover letter of the form before submitting.

The surveying the Maps & Boundaries Department executes provides an essential first step for development and growth that benefits Seneca families, large enterprises and Capital Improvement Authority (CIA) projects.

The Maps & Boundaries Department provides the services listed below to Seneca Nation members and Departments:

• Surveys of all types New York State certified.
• Provides legal descriptions for deeds after surveys, if needed.
• Land transfers with legal descriptions.
• Assists courts with mapping, research, and survey work.
• Mapping and field stake outs for development projects.

The Department is making great strides to keep up with technology changes. There are now electronic files of all new housing surveys and a database of all M & B surveys. More efficient surveys are now being completed with the help of Global Positioning Systems and new state-of-the-art survey equipment.

The Maps & Boundaries Department is located on two territories. One is in the S.A.A.B. Allegany Territory, and one is in the William Seneca Building, Cattaraugus Territory.

Director Allegany & Cattaraugus: Allen Silvernail
(716) 532-4900 ext. 5086
allen.silvernail@sni.org