Fifth Annual "Canal Clean Sweep" Kicks off with Shredding

The New York State Canal Corporation today joined with Parks & Trails New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB), State and local officials, and community organizers at the Shredding Day in Utica, Oneida County, to kick off the 5th Annual Canal Clean Sweep. The 5th Annual Canal Clean Sweep kicks off today with more than 95 diverse events scheduled in communities throughout the New York State Canal System Corridor. Canal Clean Sweep is sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails New York, EFC and CPB in preparation for the upcoming canal navigation season and in recognition of Earth Day. The complete event listing, organized by county, can be found on Parks & Trails New York's website, www.ptny.org, by clicking on Canal Clean Sweep.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "The Canal Clean Sweep is an important tradition that helps both the sustainability of our canalside environment and the health of our canalside neighbors. As we begin our Earth Day celebrations across the State, I am thrilled to know that so many have collaborated with the Canal Corporation, including Parks & Trails NY, the Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Consumer Protection Board, to organize an array of cleanup and beautification activities, starting with Shredding Day."

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

To kick off this weekend long event, officials joined together at CPB's free public Shredding Day on April 16, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The CPB has arranged for Confidata of Utica, NY, to provide its secure shredding services free of charge. 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. This event also marks the launch of CPB's annual free shredding days around the State.

Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito said, "The Canal Clean Sweep has been a very successful collaboration between State agencies and volunteer groups who clean up the trails and property along the Canal System to make sure they are clean and safe for the thousands of boaters and recreational enthusiasts who use it every year. I also would encourage Mohawk Valley residents to take advantage of Shredding Day, which is an excellent opportunity to dispose of documents or discs free of charge to help our State's recycling efforts."

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation, said, "In five years, the Canal Clean Sweep continues its growth with more than 95 quality events planned by communities, not-for profits, and businesses throughout the canal corridor. I encourage everyone to find an event happening locally and to join with the thousands of volunteers this weekend to help spruce up the Canal System. The Canal Corporation is proud to once again work with our many partners to help make this annual event a success. Through the Canal Clean Sweep and Connecting the Drops campaign, we want to remind New Yorkers that the pollution that drops on roads, parking lots, or other areas can eventually reach our waterways. We can all work together to prevent pollution and keep our waters clean."

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, "Local pride in the Canal and Canalway Trail and a powerful spirit of volunteerism are evident in the growth of the Canal Clean Sweep over the five years of its life so far. Everyone who celebrates Earth Day 2010 by participating in one of the Canal Clean Sweep events can be proud of making a difference locally while at the same time contributing to a larger effort. We are pleased to be part of this unique partnership between State agencies, nonprofit organizations and community volunteers."

Matthew J. Driscoll, President and CEO of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation said, "EFC is proud to partner with the Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails NY, 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, "Today's free Shredding Day is a win-win for consumers and the environment. By shredding their documents containing personal identifiable information, instead of discarding them, consumers can help protect themselves against identity theft. And because the shredded materials are later recycled, it's a great way to safeguard our environment and conserve energy."

The Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails New York, EFC and CPB are providing tee shirts, garbage bags, and consumer information for all groups organizing Clean Sweep events and are also arranging for trash pickup following each of the events. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and supplies and wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Connecting the Drops is a public outreach campaign of the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation. The goal of this outreach is to remind New Yorkers that water connects us all, and that what we drop into the environment can reach water bodies and put aquatic life, recreation, and even drinking water at risk. The Connecting the Drops effort includes educating motorists and boaters that use the Thruway and Canal System, as well as Authority/Corporation employees.

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.

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 and 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 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.

A list of planned Clean Sweep events is updated regularly on the Parks & Trails NY website at www.ptny.org. To participate, or to verify dates, times and meeting locations of specific events, please contact the individual organizations listed.

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

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