Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, today announced that usage of the Canal System by recreational vessels from May through August jumped 6.7% from the same period in 2004. A total of 93,026 recreational lockings have been recorded at the Canal System’s 57 locks and 17 lift bridges through the end of August, compared to 87,178 for the same period last year - an increase of 5,848.

“This increase in traffic demonstrates that Governor Pataki’s efforts to improve and enhance the New York State Canal System’s status as a world-class cruising destination are yielding measurable results, and bringing new economic opportunity to Canal communities all across the Empire State,” Mantello said. “By reaching out to the boating community and being responsive to our customers, we continue to solidify the reputation of New York’s original “Main Street” as a great place to visit by any means, but especially by boat.”

Recreational vessel traffic on the Canal System is recorded cumulatively at each lock and lift bridge operated by the Canal Corporation. In 2004, a total of 122,034 recreational lockings were recorded, a mark likely to be surpassed in 2005 given the rise in activity. Despite good weather, the numbers came as a pleasant surprise to Canal Corporation officials, who had been concerned that the price of fuel may keep boaters away, and thereby limit the economic benefits to Canal businesses across the State.

“The fact that recreational boating is up this year likely reflects the strides we’ve made under the Governor’s leadership in improving and increasing the amenities available along the Canal System, contributing to the overall experience boaters enjoy when visiting this historic waterway,” Mantello added. “As we continue to move in a new direction with the Canal Corporation, we will continue to seek new and innovative ways to make a great boating destination even better.”

Under Governor Pataki’s Canal Revitalization Program, the Canal Corporation has invested $13 million to develop seven harbors and $20 million for 14 Canalway Trail projects, including 98 miles of construction. Additionally, in partnership with other state agencies, the Canal Corporation has helped implement more than $200 million in local projects along the Canal System.

The increase is use may also be attributable to high marks awarded to the historic waterway by industry publications and within the boating community. The Canal System was recently recognized as one of 10 Great Escape boating vacations in the world by Motorboating Magazine, a national publication. This designation, highlighted in the magazine’s October 2005 edition, is further evidence of the Canal System’s growing reputation as a pre-eminent recreational waterway.

The Canal Corporation also announced that lockings recorded for commercial vessels rose over the same period from 11,357 in 2004 to 13,032 this year, an increase of 14.7%. Included in this category are tour boats, charter boats, and cargo vessels. Recent improvements in Canal infrastructure have encouraged renewed entrepreneurship along the New York State Canal System. The Canal Corporation anticipates continued increases in commercial use of the waterway, especially with regard to tug and barge transportation of commodities. In 2004, an estimated $102 million worth of cargo was shipped on the 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.

In late May 2005, Governor Pataki unveiled his vision for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway and, ultimately, the Empire State Greenway, connecting the Niagara, Erie and Hudson River Greenways. The Canal Corporation and an interagency task force will conduct an outreach campaign to gather input and ideas, and develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new Erie and Empire State Greenways and examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation. The recommendations will be delivered in a report to the Governor by December 2005.