OLD FORGE - Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century, in collaboration with the Town of Webb, will be distributing project funds as part of the 90 Miler Blueway Trail Strategy.

The Blueway Trail initiative is intended to help communities 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.

Priority project allocations include:

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

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

• Town of Long Lake, $18,000 to develop 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.

These projects follow an extensive process of working with the townships, community groups and paddle-sport businesses to identify waterway priorities. The Blueway Trail projects are being funded through the New York State 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.

CAP-21 also hopes to work with the Adirondack Watershed Alliance on marketing and promoting the Blueway as a regional recreation destination.

Other community groups involved in developing this strategy are Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Adirondack North Country Association, Wildlife Conservation Society and 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.

CAP-21 Executive Director Nick Rose said, “We believe that these Blueway grants will help the townships 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 contact CAP-21 at (315) 369-3353 or info@cap-21.org.