NY State Canal System Now Being Operated By Another Agency

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York State Canal System is now being run by the New York Power Authority.

NYPA (NYE'-puh) officially took over ownership of the state Canal Corp. on New Year's Day, eight months after the agency assumed fiscal responsibility for the canals. The Canal Corp. had been a subsidiary of the state Thruway Authority since 1992.

NYPA officials say they plan to streamline operations for the 524-mile canal system, viewed by the state as a vital resource for boating, recreation, tourism and agriculture. The system includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals.

NYPA is a state public power organization that operates 16 generating facilities.

The Canal Corp. later this year will mark the 200th anniversary of the start of the construction of the Erie Canal, the system's longest waterway.