Updated 03/24/2008 08:27 PM
NYS Canal to cut hours
BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. - The boating season on the New York State Canal is a month away and already, issues are eminent. Many boaters and business owners frown upon the state's decision to reduce the hours along the canal.
For Maureen Doyle of CNY Waterways, giving boaters less time on the canal is a bad idea. Ray Cooper of Cooper's Marina agrees. But like it or not, it's as good as done. Traditional hours are 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., but in order to make up for a $1 million shortfall, the New York State Canal Authority said it's got to cut jobs, cut on-water hours and incorporate tolls.
The new hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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"The fear is, many fears, one of them is that people will turn away from recreational boating and go to some other recreation. And that would definitely be critical to marinas and waterfront businesses," Doyle said.
"It's a very alarming situation," said Cooper. "It's threatening to our business; it's threatening to our operation as far as the water is concerned. We need the waterway. It's like cutting the street off in front of your house."
It's not the first time the hours on the canal have been scaled back. The same thing happened in 1991 and 1992. The canal corporation said they don't anticipate the change to last very long.
"If we're able to get through this difficult period, get through these financial difficult times, I expect that the hours will be expanded," Carmella Mantello of the New York State Canal Corporation told News 10 Now.
Adds Cooper, "It's a very short season and this makes the season even worse when you shorten it. The water is bad or the water is high or, in this case, the locks are not going to operate. It's a stale-mate. It really is a problem."
Many events along the canal start at 7:00 p.m. Doyle says shutting down the canal at that hour will have boaters stuck between locks. She feels fisherman may frown on starting their day at 9:00 a.m. when traditionally they're on the water as soon as possible.
The season is still expected to start in May. It was delayed 10 days last year due to high water levels.
Legislation is pending in Albany to separate the New York State Canal System from the Thruway Authority.