The future of the Erie Canal will be the focus of a new state task force created to study how to reinvent the historic waterway as an economic engine.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of the new panel on Friday.
It will look at ways to better use the canal, for tourism, recreation, transport and irrigation for farms in western New York.
The task force will also examine ways to handle challenges posed by the canal, such as flooding and ice jams.
The task force will include Thruway Authority Chairwoman Joanie Mahoney, former Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy and Joseph Martens, a former state environmental conservation commissioner.