New York Announces Initiative to Keep Canal Waters Clean

ALBANY, NY (05/01/2009)(readMedia)-- On the annual opening day of the New York State Canal System, New York officials announced that they will seek to safeguard water quality and protect recreation by calling for the entire 524-mile system to become a federally designated "No Discharge Zone."

In a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to be filed next week, New York will formally request the "No Discharge" designation which would outlaw discharges of all treated or untreated sewage from boat toilets and holding tanks into canal waters. By directing boats to use canal-side pumpout stations, the State can prevent harmful wastes from entering the Canal System and damaging New York's natural resources. New York State currently has 11 other No Discharge Zones.

The New York State Canal System includes the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain and Oswego canals, which link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

"The designation of a No Discharge Zone in the State Canal System will have a meaningful and immediate impact on water quality," New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis said. "It will make the waters cleaner, restore aquatic habitat and make recreational opportunities on the Canal System more enjoyable. This designation will provide many long-term benefits to canal communities and the tens of thousands of boaters, anglers, paddlers and cyclists who enjoy spending time on canal waterways and adjacent pathways."

New York State Canal Corporation (Canal Corp.) Director Carmella R. Mantello said, "On the opening day of the 184th consecutive navigation season of this storied waterway, the Canal Corporation is pleased to join with our environmental partners to announce the petition of the Canal System as a No Discharge Zone. The Canal System offers tremendous recreational opportunities to tourists and residents alike and is a vital economic resource to the hundreds of quaint communities lining the 524-mile waterway. It is important that we do all we can to protect, preserve and promote this treasure to ensure its vitality for future generations to enjoy. This designation, and the more than 200 events happening throughout the Canal System this year, will help to make this an exciting season."

"The proposed designation of the entire 524 miles of the New York State Canal System's navigable waters as a Vessel Waste No-Discharge Zone represents a significant step towards a healthier ecosystem and cleaner water along the Canal," said Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. "This simple action will greatly reduce the introduction of bacteria, pathogens, and toxic chemicals to the canal's waters from this source of pollution. As a member of the Canal Recreationway Commission, I applaud the work of the State agencies that partnered on the designation."

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Acting President Matthew Millea said, "Designating New York State's Canal System as a 'No Discharge Zone' will go far in protecting the water quality of this invaluable recreational and tourism destination. As we celebrate the opening of the Canal System today, we are pleased to join our State partners and communities along the canal to provide boaters with the waste treatment and collection services needed to keep this invaluable and historic waterway clean."

DEC, working in collaboration with the Canal Corp., the Department of State (DOS) and the EFC, prepared the petition requesting greater protection of the Canal System's waters. The EFC is also provides support for the establishment of pumpout facilities, as well as education and outreach. Through the NYS Clean Vessel Assistance Program (CVAP), which EFC manages under a contract with DEC, federal grants are available to public and privately owned marinas for pumpout facilities for the proper disposal of sewage waste from recreational boats. CVAP has provided more than $4.8 million for pumpout facilities statewide.

Upon concurrence by EPA that there are a sufficient number of pumpout stations on the canals, an opportunity for public comment will be announced in the Federal Register. EPA then will address comments and make a decision on the No Discharge Zone petition. If approved, the No Discharge Zone would be enforced by DEC Police, State Police and local authorities.

As part of New York's commemoration of Earth Day, Governor David A. Paterson continues to demonstrate his commitment to clean air, clean water, healthy communities, fighting climate change, and promoting renewable energy policies. He is a vocal advocate for clean water investments and "greening" state government. The Governor's specific achievements include New York's historic participation and leadership role in addressing global warming with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and accomplishing what previous Governors could not by getting the Legislature to finally pass the Bigger, Better, Bottle Bill. By adopting an ambitious but achievable "45 by 15" clean energy goal (45 percent of New York's electricity from renewable sources and efficiency by 2015), Governor Paterson has set New York on a path to become the global leader in the clean energy economy, creating clean energy jobs, boosting the economy and protecting the environment.

For a listing of events taking place in 2009, boating information, vacation opportunities and news about the New York State Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

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