April 8, 2020

Mr. Gil Quiniones, President & CEO

New York Power Authority
123 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601-3170

Dear Mr. Quiniones:

Following Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s March 22 orders to put New York State on Pause, it is our
understanding that lock pump-outs and related construction work ceased along the NYS Canal System. This
work, which may take up to 60 days to complete, will have to resume prior to the canals reopening. According
to our information, impacted locks include: Locks E34/E35 (Lockport), E33 (Rochester), E26 (Clyde), E23
(Brewerton), E19 (Schuyler), E13 (Yosts), E7 (Niskayuna), and C12 (Whitehall).

We recognize that these are extraordinary times and that the safety of canal employees, contractors
and the general public is vital. At the same time, we believe that delayed opening and reduced
water levels will have significant negative impacts on the economy and social fabric of upstate
communities and will impede a full New York State recovery.

The NYS Canal System generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact each year for
canal communities and businesses. Negative impacts will be most keenly felt by boating-related businesses
and service providers, commercial operators, agriculture, and manufacturing that rely on the Canal System.

New York’s canals are an integral part of the social fabric and identity of communities all along
upstate waterways. During this extremely difficult time, reduced water levels and delayed opening of the
NYS Canal System will further contribute to a climate of uncertainty across the entire state. More than 70
percent of upstate New Yorkers live within 20 miles of the canals. For 200 years, through wars and peacetime,
prosperity and recession, the canals have remained open. Residents in canal communities celebrate the opening
of the Canal System each year and embrace the beauty, history, and recreational opportunities that the canals
provide. Opening the entire Canal System in a timely fashion would provide a sense of normalcy and hope to
millions.

The NYS Canal System is critical infrastructure for upstate New York. According to NY Pause
https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026, essential infrastructure, including commercial shipping and
transportation, activities are allowed. We understand that infrastructure projects continue under the direction
of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Department of Transportation, and the
Department of Environmental Conservation.

We urge the New York Power Authority and the NYS Canal Corporation to reconsider their decision to
suspend essential repairs and construction in order to safely reopen the full NYS Canal System as soon
as possible and to ensure a timely and full recovery for all New Yorkers.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Bob Radliff Barbara Blanchard Paul Neureuter

Executive Director Commission Chair Board Chair
cc: John Maggiore, Kimberly Harriman, Brian Stratton

Erie Canalway National Heritage Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Board

Corridor Commission
Chair, Paul R. Neureuter, East Amherst
Chair, Barbara Blanchard, Albany Vice Chair, Kimberly M. Seager, Oswego
Vice Chair, Harry Sicherman, Lockport (NY-27) Secretary, Judy McKinney-Cherry, Watkins Glen
Secretary, Kal Wysokowski, Canandaigua Treasurer, Brad Packard, Buffalo
Treasurer, John McGlone, Palatine Bridge (NY-19) Past-Chair, Thomas D. Blanchard, Buffalo
Ex Officio, Gay Vietzke, Secretary of the Interior
Designee Board Members
Past-Chair, Pieter Smeenk, Fairport Kent Barwick, New York City
Barbara Blanchard, Albany
Commissioners Carl Blowers, Montour Falls
Paul Beyer, NYS Department of State Paul Comstock, Houston, Texas
Fred Bonn, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Robert Elliott, Croton-on Hudson
Historic Preservation Mark Hettler, Liverpool
Clinton Brown, Buffalo (NY-26) Marilyn Higgins, Canastota
James Farr, Rochester (NY-25) John McGlone, Palatine Bridge
Frank Proto, Slaterville (NY-23) Harry Sicherman, Lockport
Peter Ryan, NYS Department of Transportation Kal Wysokowski, Canandaigua
Mary Elizabeth Stewart, Albany (NY-20)
Brian Stratton, NYS Canal Corporation Congressional Delegation
Alan Vincent, Little Falls (NY-22)
Paul Webster, Niskayuna Senators
Peter Wiles Jr., Skaneateles Kirsten Gillibrand
NYS Agriculture and Markets (pending) Charles Schumer
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
(pending) U.S. Representatives
Antonio Delgado (19th District)
Paul Tonko (20th District)
Elise Stefanik (21st District)
Anthony Brindisi (22nd District)
Tom Reed (23rd District)
John Katko (24th District)
Joseph Morelle (25th District)
Brian Higgins (26th District)
Vacant (27th District)