Fourth Annual "Canal Clean Sweep" Kicks Off With Shredding

ALBANY, NY (04/17/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today joined with Parks and Trails New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), the New York State Consumer Protection (CPB), State and local officials, and community organizers at the Shredding Day in Utica, Oneida County, to kick off the 4th Annual Canal Clean Sweep. The 4th Annual Canal Clean Sweep kicks off today with more than 85 diverse events scheduled in communities throughout the New York State Canal System. Canal Clean Sweep is sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails New York, EFC, and CPB in preparation for the upcoming 184th canal navigation season and in recognition of Earth Day. The complete event listing, organized by county, can be found on Parks and Trails New York's website, www.ptny.org, by clicking on Canal Clean Sweep.

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.

New to this year's event, officials joined together to kick off the CPB's free public Shredding Day on April 17, 2009, 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.

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

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation, said, "In just its fourth year, the Canal Clean Sweep continues its growth with more than 85 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 and Trails New York, said, "The growing local pride in the canal and Canalway Trail is evident in the growth of the Canal Clean Sweep this year. Everyone who celebrates Earth Day 2008 by taking part in the Canal Clean Sweep 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 Millea, Acting President of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, said, "Protecting and preserving our state's invaluable water resources is EFC's core mission so we are thrilled to once again partner with the Canal Corporation, Parks and Trails New York, and the New York State Consumer Protection Board to promote the Canal Clean Sweep program. This event is a great opportunity for EFC to join our partners in state government and the environmental community to promote water conservation and pollution prevention, as well as improve the aesthetics of our canal system."

Mindy A. Bockstein, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board, said, "Governor Paterson and the New York State Consumer Protection Board are committed to providing resources and programs to help New Yorkers prevent identity theft and assist victims in addressing the consequences of this crime, which includes today's free Shredding Day as part of the Canal Clean Sweep. As communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations participate in important cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal and the Canalway Trail, the CPB encourages consumers to cross shred documents containing personal identifiable information today and throughout the year as it is one of the best defenses against identity theft and a great way to safeguard our environment."

Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "At a time when our communities are working to enhance their appearance and also to promote environmentalism, the Canal Corporation's annual Clean Sweep is an opportunity for people across Oneida County to turn out to beautify the canalside area and also to rediscover the great beauty of the canal and the parks that line it. Beautification along the Erie Canal not only helps make us proud of our hometowns, but also helps send a message to tourists that this is a region that is proud of its appearance and an inviting place to spend some time."

Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito said, "The addition of Shredding Day to this year's many Canal Clean Sweep events provides a convenient way for Mohawk Valley residents to safely dispose of documents containing confidential personal information. I also would like to commend the many state agencies and volunteer groups who have collaborated to make sure that the trails and waterways along the canal system are clean and safe for the thousands of boaters and recreational enthusiasts who use them every year."

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., said, "Our local Canal Clean Sweep event is an opportunity for the people of Oneida County to help protect the environment along the canal and to take action to reduce pollution and enhance the attractiveness of our community. Preserving our environment through involvement in the Canal Clean Sweep event is an important way to share in the spirit of community that is such a wonderful part of our region, as well as an outstanding way to help our children learn that people of all ages can take action to help the environment."

Utica Mayor David Roefaro said, "Encouraging community involvement for cleaning up communities around the state, communities like Utica, is something I not only support, but something I myself have gotten involved with. Today's Canal Clean Sweep reaffirms the commitments and partnerships of our state agencies, our volunteers, and our local leaders to set a new standard for preserving our environment. It is my hope that events like 'Shredding Day' and other local campaigns that create awareness for making our earth a cleaner, more sustainable planet, will conserve our resources and inspire our children. I'm proud to be the Mayor of a city dedicated to preserving the beauty of all of New York."

The Canal Corporation, Parks and Trails New York, EFC, and CPB are providing tee shirts, garbage bags, consumer information and bottled water 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 in 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, as well as Authority/Corporation employees, that use the Thruway and Canal System.

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.

Parks and 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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