Water levels on Lake Ontario are slowly dropping, but are still at record high levels. During a stop in Oswego Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to boost tourism along the lake, at a time when communities are still experiencing flooding.
People will be able to fish in Lake Ontario (including the Lower Niagara River) and the St. Lawrence River without a license through Labor Day, fees at more than 20 state parks, campgrounds and boat launches will be half off, and a new television spot that will promote travel specifically to Lake Ontario.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcKzvYvNpes
Cuomo said recent flooding has hampered tourism along the shoreline and putting a spotlight on the region can only mean more tourist dollars coming upstate.
"Whatever you want to do, you can do here," Cuomo said. "We just have to get downstaters and our surrounding states and Canada to really understand what we have here. Because the more they see, the more exposure, the better. And I believe this will spur tourism."
Marinas, campsites, restaurants and fishing boats are some of the businesses that have been impacted by flooding this summer. David Turner, Oswego County Tourism Director said even though it’s late in the season, the added boost from the state won’t hurt.
"It won’t certainly turn it around for a huge impact this year. But it will remind people that, hey, this happened but it doesn’t mean it’s over. The lake’s still here, the campgrounds are still here, the fish are definitely still here, so come visit."
Cuomo also announced grants for ecotourism, and $5 million to modernize Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Oswego County.
