Environment DEC
From the July 2005 issue
Governor Unveils New Vision to Create Erie Canal Greenway
Governor George E. Pataki has unveiled a bold new vision to create "The Erie Canal Greenway," representing a new chapter in the future development of the canal. This exciting, new direction for the canal will restore, revitalize and afford greater protection of one of New York's most valuable resources. It will become a central link in the Governor's long-term strategy of creating an "Empire State Greenway," to stretch from Buffalo to Albany and down to New York City.
"Throughout its history, the Erie Canal has served as a shining symbol of the ingenuity and greatness of the Empire State. Let us now take bold steps to add a new chapter to this remarkable legacy by making the canal the centerpiece of our commitment to leave a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations of New Yorkers to come. The long-term goal is to eventually link the Erie Canal Greenway with the Niagara River and Hudson River Valley greenways, forming one "Empire State Greenway."
While the Niagara River, Hudson Valley and Erie Canal greenways would continue to operate separately, collectively they would represent one of the largest greenways in the nation. A potential greenway designation would incorporate a more regional approach to land-use planning, tourism, recreational trail development and other collaborative initiatives. The fundamental concept behind a greenway is to partner with communities and assist them in local grassroots planning that balances their economic and environmental resources. The establishment of an Erie Canal Greenway would strengthen local ties across the canal corridor and protect and enhance its natural and cultural resources for future generations.
Greenway Director
Carmella R. Mantello
has been chosen
to serve as Director of
the New York State
Canal Corporation
To lead this unprecedented initiative, Governor Pataki announced that he is recommending Carmella R. Mantello, currently the Executive Director of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council, Executive Director of Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. and Director of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, to serve as Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. Mantello's appointment as Canal Corporation Director is subject to approval by the Canal Corporation Board of Directors.
Under Ms. Mantello's leadership, the number of communities that have joined the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council has grown to 222, the Greenway Land Trail has grown to more than 525 miles of trails, and the Greenway Water Trail now includes more than 70 designated sites and 10 campsites from Waterford, Saratoga County to Battery Park, Manhattan.
Interagency Task Force
To begin the planning process for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway, Governor Pataki called on the Canal Corporation to form an interagency task force that will be led by Ms. Mantello. This task force will conduct an extensive outreach campaign in the ensuing months to gather input and ideas from federal, state and local planners, as well as from canal interest groups. It also will be responsible for developing a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new greenway.
The interagency task force will be comprised of the following key stakeholders involved in canal development: New York State Thruway Authority, State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Empire State Development, Office of General Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of State and local government representatives from communities along the canal.
Among other things, the task force will make recommendations on setting up an administrative structure for the new greenway's management, as well as examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation that may also become the purview of the greenway. The task force will submit their recommendations to Governor Pataki within the next six months. These recommendations will form the basis for legislation that the Governor will propose and submit to the State Legislature next year to create the Erie Canal Greenway.
