SCOW Archives

Canal System Operation Is 

Topic of Public Forum

Thursday, June 20th in Rochester:

 Administration of the state canal system will be the subject of a public forum entitled A Retrospective: The Canals after 10 Years at the Thruway, hosted by the State Council on Waterways. It will be held on Thursday, June 20th at 2:00pm, at Richardson's Canal House in Bushnell's Basin, near Rochester.

 The state legislature and the Governor transferred the canal system (the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga & Seneca and Champlain Canals) to the New York State Thruway Authority in 1992, after it had been a part of the State Transportation Department and its predecessor state agencies since 1825.

    The forum will examine how the canals have fared under administration by the Authority, and consider opinions and recommendations from a number of canal experts. A number of current members of the legislature representing canal regions, and local officials along the canal system, have also been invited to participate.

 Speakers representing the State Canal Corporation, marina operators, tourism leaders, and canal users will address the effectiveness of canal administration now and 10 years ago. They will discuss ideas for increased use of the underutilized resource, including ways to better promote the waterway and its numerous nearby amenities including historic sites, open spaces and wineries.
 
 The State Council on Waterways is a private, not-for-profit advocacy group dedicated to revitalizing, preserving and promoting state waterways, with particular emphasis on the canals. This program is part of a series of statewide SCOW sponsored informational forums on important waterway issues. It is free and open to the public.

For more information, or to RSVP, please call (518) 437-2341. Thank you.