‘The Great Lakes are a massive economic engine, not only for the tourism and recreation industries, but also for the shipping, logistics, agriculture, mining, energy, and finance industries.’ – U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer

Photos by Tom Rivers: These sailboats race last Thursday in Lake Ontario near Point Breeze as part of the racing series organized by the Oak Orchard Yacht Club.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

Standing on the banks of the Niagara River at Niawanda Park in Tonawanda on Monday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed an historic $1 billion federal investment – the largest ever single investment – in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

Specifically, this funding was secured to protect, improve, and preserve the Great Lakes and their related waterways, which Schumer was able to secure in the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill he just led to passage. Schumer detailed the unprecedented amount of funds, explained why he pushed to include them, and detailed how the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been helping Western New York since he first pushed for the funding in 2010. Schumer explained that these dollars will continue to improve water quality by reducing pollutants, restoring and protecting wildlife habitats, mitigating climate change impacts, and helping preserve waterways critical to New York State’s environment and economy.

“Today, I am unveiling the ‘catch of the day’ – $1 billion in funds we included in the bipartisan infrastructure package that will do a lot of good for Western and Central New York, and some critical things to protect one of the true gems of New York State – the Great Lakes,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding guarantees a ramp-up in our conservation efforts for the Great Lakes and their waterways, while allowing us to continue to fight for more as part of regular appropriations – so this is really unprecedented support for one of our most critical resources, both natural and economic. The Great Lakes are a massive economic engine, not only for the tourism and recreation industries, but also for the shipping, logistics, agriculture, mining, energy, and finance industries. Because of their huge impact on so many facets of life, investing in the Great Lakes means investing in the future economic health of Western New York.”

In total, the Great Lakes account for 84% of North America’s surface fresh water and contain about 21% of the world’s supply. More than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada live in the Great Lakes Basin – roughly 10% of the U.S. population and more than 30% of the Canadian population. The Great Lakes themselves span more than 750 miles from west to east. Millions of people flock yearly to the Great Lakes for recreation, and the Lakes provide critical fresh water access. Additionally, the Lakes play host to diverse animal and plant life. The ability of the Great Lakes to support these uses is dependent on the quality of its waters, habitats, and living resources.

This photo shows the walkway leading to the docks and sailboats at the Oak Orchard Yacht Club along the Oak Orchard River, which is a Lake Ontario tributary.

Schumer also pointed out the massive economic impact of the Great Lakes region and its importance to Western New York. The Great Lakes region includes eight states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania – and two Canadian provinces.

The Lakes are home to more than 175 species of fish, which contribute to our state’s vibrant commercial and recreational fishing industries. According to the Office of Coastal Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for every dollar invested in Great Lakes protection, the return on investment is $3.35, or 335%. Furthermore, for every $1 million invested in Great Lakes restoration and protection, 16 jobs are created. The Great Lakes Region is directly responsible for $3.1 trillion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the United States and more than $6 trillion overall. It is estimated that 25.8 million jobs worth more than $1.3 trillion in wages spanning countless industries, including 7% of all American farm production, are directly supported by the region.

“We all know that our changing climate poses a threat to our Great Lakes and all the livelihoods that depend on it, so this $1 billion surge will help to accelerate efforts to protect and preserve one of our greatest natural resources,” Schumer added. “Even more, the economic impact of these Lakes is into the trillions. We cannot lose it. We must invest in sustainment, and we have to keep doing it to protect the economic future of Upstate New York and the environment.”

Schumer fought off budget cuts to the GLRI in 2019 and worked to secure a multimillion dollar increase in authorization levels for the program in 2018. Initiated in 2010, the GLRI has received roughly $3.48 billion since its inception, with the funds distributed across 16 different federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Over the last decade, the GLRI has controlled invasive species on at least 115,000 acres and kept more than 402,000 pounds of phosphorus out of the lakes, a $300,000 investment from GLRI which ended in 2020. GLRI has also played a critical role in fish and wildlife protection, specifically in Western New York. Efforts to improve the population of Lake Sturgeon are currently underway after a $90,000 investment to study their travel patterns, and the trout population is climbing once again thanks to the investment in bloater chub revival, a critical food source for the popular sport fish. Schumer noted that the $1 billion in funding, the largest the program has ever received in a single authorization, will help the agencies and their auxiliary partners prepare for the future.

Schumer was joined in Tonawanda by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Jill Jedlicka, Associate Director of the Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment Brian Smith, and other local stakeholders.

“New York is a Great Lakes state, and this $1 billion appropriation reinforces what we have known for a long time- that these freshwater lakes are the nation’s most important living infrastructure system,” said Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. “The health and restoration of the drinking water for 40 million people also supports tens of billions of dollars in economic activity and recreational resources. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been one of the most impactful programs in our nation’s history by helping communities like Buffalo reclaim and restore their waterfronts, protect critical ecosystems, and put us back on a path to a clean water future. We applaud Senate Majority Leader Schumer for guiding this bipartisan infrastructure bill that will ultimately benefit all Americans and our Great Lakes.

The GLRI has also benefited additional sites in New York State. In September 2017, $900,000 worth of GLRI funds were awarded to the Great Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith College to fight invasive threats, including an infestation of hydrilla in Cayuga Lake. In 2015, Schumer helped secure $9.5 million in GLRI funding to restore Braddock Bay in the Town of Greece after decades of decline to ecological and recreational activities on the bay.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) used the funding to restore wetlands, habitat and to reconstruct a barrier beach that has been washed away, leaving the bay exposed to Lake Ontario’s damaging waters that destroyed habitat and the bay’s navigation channel needed for boating.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The tugboat Syracuse carries inspectors and officials from the State Canal Corp. on the Erie Canal in Albion on Sept. 14, 2016.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) cosponsored the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission Reauthorization Act to provide federal funding and support to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

“The Erie Canal is part of our heritage in Western New York, it supported our economic and industrial boom in the 19th century and continues to drive our economy and attract tourism today,” Jacobs said. “I am proud to support this legislation to provide additional federal support to the National Heritage Corridor. From Lockport to Medina, it is my hope that the Canal in NY-27 will be visited for generations to come.”

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4192) would reauthorize the National Heritage Corridor through 2037 and authorize an additional $16 million in federal funding. National Heritage Areas are maintained by a mix of public and private sector investments.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A fisherman walks along the western pier at the Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze in this photo taken on March 20, 2021.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, is a Free Fishing Weekend in New York State, the second of six Free Fishing Days recognized across the state each year.

“As the school year closes out and the summer officially begins, the timing of New York’s upcoming Free Fishing Weekend couldn’t be better,” Governor Cuomo said. “Whether you’re returning to the angling as an expert, introducing a friend or family member, or casting a line for the very first time, Free Fishing Weekend is the perfect opportunity to experience firsthand all the benefits of fishing.”

During designated free fishing days, New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license. Participating anglers are reminded that although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. Remaining 2021 Free Fishing Days include National Hunting and Fishing Day (Sept. 25) and Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

“New York is home to some of the most exceptional fishing opportunities in the nation and anglers from around the world visit our state’s waters every year in search of their next big catch,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “I encourage all anglers, from first timers to experts, to take advantage of the upcoming free fishing weekend by casting a line in New York’s waters and experiencing the joy that comes with fishing.”

For beginning anglers interested in getting started, the I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing provides information on everything from rigging up a fishing rod to identifying catch and understanding fishing regulations.

DEC’s Places to Fish webpages are a reliable source of information for those ready to plan their next fishing trip. In addition, DEC recently launched an interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map on the DECinfo Locator to provide a one-stop shop for information on stocking, fishing access, season dates, and regulations.

Soil & Water Conservation District cites Elam’s lifetime commitment to the environment

Press Release, Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District

Provided photo: Mike Elam on Thursday received a Friend of Conservation Award, which was presented by Katie Sommerfeldt, manager of the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District.

ALBION –  The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District is proud to award Mike Elam with the Friend of Conservation Award.

Mike has a long history of environmental conservation in Orleans County. In 1949 his father and grandfather bought what is now “Captain’s Cove,” though at the time it was called “Hatch and Elam Boat Livery.”

Both his father, Jack Elam, and his grandfather, Butch Hatch, were very influential in regards to conservation and nurtured respect for the environment. Growing up in that environment, and having Oak Orchard Creek as his playground, it’s no surprise that Mike grew up to follow in their footsteps.

“I was lucky to be raised in Orleans County and especially to live on Oak Orchard Creek,” Mike said. “Protecting Orleans County’s waterways was and still is important to me.”

He strives to not only educate himself, but to also pass along his knowledge and respect for the environment to future generations. His grandkids have already started following the same path. They enjoy going fishing, catching frogs, and picking up litter when out by the water. Mike knows that the best way to garner a love for the outdoors is to build that relationship early.

In 1976 Mike became a member of the Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, and in the same year he helped found a B.A.S.S. chapter called Oak Orchard Bassmasters. He spent the mid-’70s on a committee to revise fish seasons, length, and bag limits, as well as lift the ban on salmon stocking. Mike was very outspoken on banning the practice of snagging salmon in the early 1980s, and also spent 5 years running water sample tests on Lake Alice through the Citizen’s Statewide Lake Assessment Program.

Mike started coming to Orleans County Water Quality meetings about 20 years ago to represent sportsmen’s interests, as well as his own interest in water protection and conservation. A few years ago, Mike was appointed to the chairman position and has been instrumental in keeping the committee alive and informed on all things water quality. During the same time, he would help the DEC as needed with banding ducks, geese and screech owls.

2007 was a busy year for Mike. All within that year he became the sportsman’s rep to the Region 8 Fish & Wildlife Management Board, a councilman to the New York State Conservation Council, and joined the Finger Lakes Conservation Council (which he currently leads as president).

All of this barely even scratches the surface of Mike’s devotion to environmental conservation. During his years he would volunteer with the DEC, the Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge. It should come as no surprise that someone with such a lifelong dedication to our county and our planet will be receiving the Friend of Conservation Award.

“Conservation in the future will be an important issue as the public becomes aware of the value of clean water and clean air, and the importance of fish stocks and protecting wildlife,” Mike said. “If the pandemic did anything positive, it made people more aware of the environment and the need to protect it.”

Cory Pawlaczyk took this photo of a sunrise along the Erie Canal in Medina. It won second place in the “Along the Trail” category in an annual Erie Canal photo contest in 2020.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its 16th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.

Images should convey the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. Entries must be postmarked by August 27. Winning photos will be featured in the 2022 Erie Canalway calendar.

Images will be judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges will select first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions.

Submitted images should be horizontal format and must be taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York. It encompasses the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities.

Download official contest rules and an entry form by clicking here.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Yacht Club

Photo by Tom Rivers: This group of boaters, including many with sailboats, were out June 30, 2016 in Lake Ontario near the Oak Orchard Harbor.

May 22-27, 2021 has been named National Safe Boating Week by the National Safe Boating Council in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This is a good time to spend a few minutes considering what it takes to have a safe, fun boating season.

Are there any areas in our boat handling skills or our understanding of navigation rules that could use a refresher or more information about? Is all safety equipment on board and in working order?

During complimentary vessel safety checks provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron it is not uncommon to find a variety of both mandatory and recommended safety items inadvertently overlooked by even experienced boat owners.

The United States Coast Guard annual report “2019 Recreational Boating Statistics” prepared June 4, 2020 listed numerous statistics from their accident reports. Here are just a few:

• 79% fatalities were from drowning
• 86% of drowned victims were not wearing a life jacket
• Alcohol was a leading factor in accidents with 23% of deaths involving alcohol
• 70% of accidents involved an operator with no formal boater training
• Top five factors contributing to accidents were alcohol, inattention, inexperience, improper lookout and speed
• For an in-depth look the full 83-page report can be found by clicking here.

New York State now requires a Boater’s Safety Certificate for powerboat operators, depending on their age and by January 2025 all power boaters, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate. Find information about a free boating safety course by clicking here.

Take advantage of a complimentary Vessel Safety Check (VSC) offered by local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or United States Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition. Information about Vessel Safety Checks and a VSC pre-check list can be found on the United States Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club website.

An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard or move away from the helm. Effective April 1, 2021 federal law began requiring certain currently manufactured power boats to be equipped with an the cut-off switch.

Most power boats have been manufactured with an engine cut-off switch for many years but up until recent legislation their use has not been mandated. Using an ECOS is now required while operating power boats less than 26 feet in length that are equipped with an engine cut-off switch with an engine over 2-3 horsepower, an unenclosed helm and operating on plane or above displacement speed. More information can be found by clicking here.

Submitted by John Zimmerman, director Youth Sailing and Education for the Oak Orchard Yacht Club in Waterport – www.oakorchardyachtclub.org.

Turtles will be on the move in May and June to lay eggs

Photo by Tom Rivers: This snapping turtle is shown last June after it managed to cross Route 31 in Fancher. Many snapping turtles were on the move crossing roads to find spots to lay their eggs.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are on the move in the months of May and June, and asked drivers to “give turtles a brake.”

In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when struck by vehicles while migrating to nesting areas. Increasing public awareness of turtles’ nesting behavior can help save this important species.

“A turtle’s shell provides good protection from natural predators, but it cannot protect a turtle from being hit by a vehicle while crossing a road,” Seggos said. “Vehicle strikes are a major cause of turtle mortality and New York’s native turtles are more active this time of year as they seek sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs, sometimes even near the side of a road.”

If a motorist sees a turtle on the road, drivers are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the vehicle can safely stop, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing.

Motorists are advised not to pick turtles up by their tails to avoid injuring the turtle. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up by the sides of their shell. Snapping turtles have necks that can reach a long distance and have a strong bite, so if motorists try to help a snapping turtle, they should pick it up by the rear of the shell near the tail using both hands or slide a car mat under the turtle to drag it safely across the road.

DEC reminds people to never take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit.

All 11 species of land turtles native to New York are in decline. Turtles are long-lived species and it takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Even losing one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population.

Provided photos: There were 10,000 steelhead fingerlings put in two pens in the Oak Orchard River on Monday. Volunteers will feed them the next month and then the fish will be released. They will be bigger with a higher chance of surviving and returning to the Oak Orchard when they are mature.

CARLTON – More than 100,000 fingerling fish were delivered by the state Department of Environmental Conservation on Monday to the Oak Orchard River.

Those fish will be raised in pens and fed regularly by volunteers the next month. The fish will nearly double in size which will increase their chances for surviving when they are released into the river and when they go out to Lake Ontario.

They also are “imprinting” on the Oak Orchard, and will have a better chance of returning when they are mature in about 3 to 4 years, with the steelhead topping 10 pounds and some of the salmon 30 pounds or more.

Oak Orchard volunteers have been running the pen-rearing project since 1998. It was the first such effort on the south shore of the lake. Now there are many.

Fishing communities have seen how the projects pay off with a better fishery, with more mature fish that draw bring in anglers from outside the area to support local businesses.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation delivered 111,000 Chinook salmon on Monday to pens in the Oak Orchard River. The Oak Orchard in 1998 became the first community with a pen-rearing project on the southshore of Lake Ontario. Now there are several similar efforts.

The DEC delivered 111,000 Chinook salmon and 10,000 steelhead on Monday. They will be kept in pens at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina.

Ron Bierstine, owner of Orleans Outdoor, has been coordinating the steelhead pens since 2019. He said the effort has paid off with more mature steelhead in the Oak Orchard.

“This year the steelhead fishing in the river the returns look pretty good,” he said. “We hear a lot anecdotally.”

In 2022, there should be more 3-year returns from the steelhead in the pens in 2019.

“I’m real excited about next year,” Bierstine said this morning.

The volunteers feed the fish on a feeding schedule from the DEC. The DEC provides the food in little pellets.

Bierstine said the pen-rearing has become a community effort at the Oak Orchard.

“All major ports do it now, but it started here on the Oak Orchard,” he said.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Photo by Tom Rivers: An angler tries to a catch a fish in the Oak Orchard River in Carlton.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that trout fishing season in New York State opens today. In preparation for opening day, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is stocking 1.8 million catchable trout in waters across the state.

In addition to larger size fish being stocked this year, some stream reaches will receive four stockings of trout.

“Every year, thousands of New Yorkers head outside on the opening day of trout season, and 2021 should be no exception, especially with a new trout management plan in place to improve access for anglers of all ages,” Cuomo said. “This is a longstanding and much-beloved tradition for generations of families, and I encourage New Yorkers to get outside, continue practicing safe behaviors like social distancing, and experience all the great fishing the Empire State has to offer.”

New York State offers a diverse set of fishing opportunities for wild and stocked trout. Under the State’s new Trout Stream Management Plan, DEC has grouped stream fishing opportunities into five distinct categories for improved management and easy-to-understand regulations to help make fishing more accessible and enjoyable for all anglers, from novice to expert.

“This year opening day represents the beginning of a new era in trout stream management for New York,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “After more than two years of committed work with our angling public, DEC will begin implementing the new Trout Stream Management Plan.”

This fall, anglers will be able to fish for trout throughout the state due to the creation of a statewide catch and release season that will run from Oct. 16 through March 31. While year-round trout fishing has been enjoyed in many areas of the state, the season will provide an opportunity for anglers who have otherwise had to wait for spring. DEC will select a suite of streams and conduct a three-year study to evaluate the new regulation to ensure that the new season has no negative impact on natural trout production.

“In addition to new and fewer types of special regulations, we have made significant progress toward achieving our fish production objectives to stock larger yearling fish and seed all stockings with some fish 12 inches or larger,” Seggos said. “Best of all, anglers can continue to enjoy our trout stream resources through the fall and winter months thanks to the creation of a new catch and release season.”

To prepare anglers for the 2021 trout season with the new management plan in place, DEC will host virtual outreach events in the coming weeks, including “how to” Facebook Live segments where viewers can learn about beginner trout fishing techniques.

To access additional information about how and where anglers can find their preferred type of trout angling opportunities, DEC launched an interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map to provide a one-stop-shop for information about stocking, fishing access, season dates, and regulations on the DECinfo Locator.

Links to the Trout Stream Fishing Map and a User Guide are available by clicking here.

4 million visitors on towpath and trail system in 2020

Photo by Tom Rivers: George Sokolsky, center, and his friends Jim Balmer, left, and Brad Alexander walk the Erie Canal in Albion while practicing social distancing in this photo from last April. The trio from Brockport walked stretches of the Erie Canal almost every day, gradually working their way from Brockport to Lockport. That’s about 40 miles along the towpath.

Press Release, Parks and Trails New York, New York Power Authority

ALBANY – Use along the Erie Canalway Trail and Champlain Canalway Trail increased in 2020 by about 30 percent with 4 million users last year, according to the 2020 Who’s on the Trail report from Parks & Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation.

The Canalway Trail system as a whole saw an estimated 4.2 million visits in 2020, including just under 4 million visits to the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail between Albany and Buffalo and approximately 288,000 visits to the 90-mile Champlain Canalway Trail between Waterford and Whitehall.

The visits to the Erie Canalway Trail show a more than 30% increase over 2019 usage figures. These figures reflect the significant investments that were made as part of the completion of the Empire State Trail, and the increased interest and participation in outdoor recreational activities due to Covid-19.

“The Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails have proven to be an invaluable resource for individuals seeking refuge and recreation during these difficult times,” said Brian Stratton, Canal Corporation director. “Their integration into the recently completed Empire State Trail allows outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to experience our iconic Canal system and the bucolic landscapes of Upstate New York. The Canal Corporation was proud to complete several trail projects in 2020, which not only closed gaps along the trail, but also enhanced the overall safety and experience for all trail users.”

In 2020, PTNY counted visits at seven locations along the Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails. Electronic counters recorded usage at Tonawanda, Camillus, DeWitt, Canastota, German Flatts and Schoharie Crossing on the Erie Canalway Trail and at Schuylerville on the Champlain Canalway Trail.  All seven locations saw the heaviest use on weekends and holidays, suggesting the trail is particularly popular for recreational activities. Peak usage for all locations occurred between May and September, though the busiest month varied by location.

The majority of locations for which there was data for both 2019 and 2020 showed significant increases in visitation, with usage at Lock E-18 in German Flatts more than doubling in 2020. Niawanda Park in Tonawanda saw the highest number of annual visits ever recorded along the Erie Canalway Trail, with over 300,000 cyclists, walkers, runners, joggers, and other users enjoying the trail.

Each year PTNY issues a Who’s on the Trail report that provides a detailed summary of trail use at several sites along the Erie and Champlain Canals. Locations vary each year to ensure that usage is measured in all parts of the state.

The reports include the most popular stretches of trail and the most popular day, time, and season for trail use. Collectively, these numbers tell a compelling narrative about the trail’s popularity and offer further justification for continuing to invest in these popular resources. Click here to see the full report.

The usage figures are based on a methodology employed by the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Alta Planning and Design to estimate the annual number of users (8.6 million) expected to use the now-complete 750-mile Empire State Trail.

“The increase in visitors to the Canalway Trail system in 2020 is a testament to the critical importance of the trail as public health infrastructure, providing opportunities for New Yorkers across the state to get outside during the pandemic,” said Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York. “The completion of the Empire State Trail has made the trail an even more valuable resource, filling in gaps and creating connections that make the trail more accessible to all. We expect visitation to the Canalway Trail system to continue to increase as more New Yorkers and out-of-state visitors take advantage of this popular resource for recreation and tourism.”