CAP-21, in collaboration with the Town of Webb, will be distributing project funds as part of the 90 Miler Blueway Trail Strategy. The intent of the Blueway Trail initiative is for those communities located along the waterway route of the Adirondack Canoe Classic (known as the 90 Miler) to cooperatively develop a regional strategy for community revitalization, sustainable economic development and enhanced public access to waterways in the corridor between Old Forge and Saranac Lake. These projects follow an extensive process of working with the townships, community groups and paddle-sport based businesses to identify priority waterway linked priorities. The Blueway Trail projects are being funded through the NYS Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources, with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund, and is being coordinated through CAP-21.

Priority project allocations include the following:

• Town of Webb - $24,000 for development of a master plan and design for the municipal waterfront;

• Town of Inlet - $24,000 for carry and launch site improvements at Fifth and Sixth Lake landings;

• Town of Long Lake - $18,000 for development of the Long Lake Nature Trail and waterfront improvements;

• Town/Village of Tupper Lake - $24,000 for establishing/enhancing connections between the Wild Center and the Raquette River, including interpretive signage and dockage improvements; and

• Town of Harrietstown-Village of Saranac Lake - $20,000 for improvements on launch areas at Baldwin and Beaver Parks.

CAP-21 also hopes to work with the Adirondack Watershed Alliance on marketing and promotion of the Blueway as a regional recreational destination. Other community groups involved in developing this Blueway Strategy were the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the Adirondack North Country Association, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Adirondack Park Invasive Species Program. Altogether more than $1.3 million in economic revitalization projects were identified for the region. The Blueway Trail Strategy will provide a foundation and basis for potential future project funding through a number of funding sources including: NYS Department of State, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, the Adirondack Smart Growth grant program and the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Councils.

Nick Rose, CAP-21 Executive Director, stated that, “We believe that these Blueway grants will help the townships to promote regional eco-tourism, build local business and employment opportunities and reinforce the 90 Miler route as a premier statewide, national and international paddling destination.”

For more information please contact CAP-21 at (315) 369-3353 or at info@cap-21.org.