Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails NY, EFC & CPB Seek Volunteers for Fifth Annual "Canal Clean Sweep"

In preparation for the upcoming 185th consecutive navigation season on the New York State Canal System and Earth Day 2010, the New York State Canal Corporation, in partnership with Parks & Trails New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB), today announced that it is seeking volunteers for the Fifth Annual Canal Clean Sweep scheduled to take place during the weekend of April 16th – 18th, 2010.

The CPB will once again kick off Canal Clean Sweep by providing consumers with an opportunity to do a "clean sweep" of their personal records, discs, CDs and DVDs and at the same time help the environment by hosting a free public Shredding Day on April 16, 2010, in the parking lot beside Aqua Vino Restaurant and Banquets at 16 Harbor Lock Rd. in Utica from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Shredding is a reliable way of safely and properly disposing of documents containing personally identifiable information that, if discarded improperly, could be a conduit to identity theft. Confidata, located in Utica, will be providing the shredding services.

The Canal Clean Sweep will help highlight the significance of the Canal System as a recreational and tourism destination in New York State by encouraging communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations to engage in cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail.

During last year's weekend-long Canal Clean Sweep, more than 80 groups participated in events throughout the Canal corridor.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "As we look ahead to Earth Day 2010, I encourage members of communities surrounding the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail to participate in the Canal Clean Sweep. Through the Canal Clean Sweep, volunteers will be able to take pride in the Canal System as they gather in groups across the State to help protect their local environment."

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation, said, "Each year the Canal Clean Sweep celebrates Earth Day and gives volunteers an opportunity to work closely with their canal neighbors and our employees to spruce up public parks and scenic areas along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail. Last year's event was a great success and I encourage communities, business and volunteer organizations from across the corridor to participate by holding a clean up event in their neighborhoods. The Corporation is pleased to partner with Parks and Trails New York, EFC, and the CPB to organize the Canal Clean Sweep."

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, "As we approach the 5th annual Canal Clean Sweep, we are excited by the growth of participation in the event since the first one was organized in 2006. Particularly in these challenging economic times, the increased number of communities taking part in the Clean Sweep is evidence that pride in the Canalway Trail and the spirit of service and volunteerism are alive and well in New York State. We encourage additional communities to get involved this year to make the 5th annual event even more fun and successful."

Matthew J. Driscoll, President and C.E.O. of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation said, "EFC is proud to partner with the Canal Corporation, Parks and Trails NYS, and the Consumer Protection Board to promote the Clean Sweep Program in honor of Earth Day 2010. With the encouragement and support of Governor David A. Paterson the Clean Sweep Program has become a wonderful example of the rewards of community service; as volunteers come together to protect the beauty and water quality of the NYS Canal System."

Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board, said, "Governor Paterson and the CPB are committed to helping New Yorkers avoid identity theft. One of the best defenses against this crime is to shred all sensitive documents, like old bank statements and health records, before discarding them. Otherwise, these documents can be a gold mine for identity thieves (known as dumpster divers,) who often rummage through the trash looking for papers containing personal identifying information. We are pleased to participate in the Canal Corporation's Clean Sweep program once again and invite residents of Utica and the surrounding areas to shred their documents free of charge on Friday afternoon. In the meantime, the CPB's Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program experts are available to provide consumers with information and assistance during regular business hours."

The Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails New York, EFC, and CPB are seeking the assistance of canal communities and partners to organize clean up activities in Canal parks, along public promenades and on Canalway Trail segments in their region. The Canal Corporation will provide garbage bags and trash pickup following each of the events. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and supplies and wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

For more information on the Fifth Annual Canal Clean Sweep or to help coordinate an event in your community, please contact Wally Elton with Parks & Trails New York at (518) 434-1583 or email canalsweep@ptny.org. To register events online, please visit Parks & Trails New York's website at www.ptny.org.

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority). Since 1992, following State legislation transferring the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Authority, Canal operating and maintenance activities have been supported by Thruway toll revenue.

For more information regarding events, recreational and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

Parks & Trails New York is the only statewide nonprofit organization working to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails and open space across New York State for all to enjoy. Its work includes advocacy, outreach, technical assistance to communities, bicycle tourism promotion, and bicycle tours such as Cycling the Erie Canal. For more information on the programs administered by Parks & Trails New York, please visit www.ptny.org.

EFC is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting environmental quality through a wide range of funding and technical assistance programs focused on protecting, improving and restoring New York State's natural resources. EFC's largest programs are its highly successful Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which together have provided more than $11 billion in low-cost financing and grants for projects that provide New Yorkers with safe drinking water and help protect the quality of our precious water resources. EFC also administers the State's Clean Vessel Assistance Program (CVAP), which was established to protect and improve water quality in New York's navigable waterways, including the canal system. CVAP provides grants to assist marinas, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations install pumpout and dump station facilities that receive sanitary waste from recreational marine vessels. For information on the programs administered by EFC, please visit www.nysefc.org.

The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is marking its 40th anniversary as the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. In addition to the online complaint form, the website is home to important consumer safety information and resources. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the "Do Not Call Law"; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies. For more information about identity theft prevention and mitigation and other consumer-oriented issues, or to file a consumer complaint with the CPB, consumers may call the Agency's toll-free hotline at 800-697-1220 or visit CPB's website at www.nysconsumer.gov.

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