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New York State Thruway Authority
Stormwater Management

Connecting the Drops Campaign

The New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation (Authority/Corporation) are working together to educate the public about protecting clean water.

Connecting the DropsConnecting the Drops Campaign
Connecting the Drops is a public outreach campaign that supports the Authority/Corporation’s Stormwater Program. The goal of this outreach is to remind New Yorkers that water connects everyone, and that what gets dropped in the environment can reach water bodies and put aquatic life, recreation, and even drinking water at risk. The Connecting the Drops effort includes educating Authority/Corporation employees, as well as the motorists and boaters that use the Thruway and Canal Systems.  Find out more about the Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation’s Stormwater Program.

Connecting the Drops Campaign Links

Fact Sheets and Public Brochures

Fact Sheets:

Brochures:

  • PDF Help Keep the Canal Clean: What you can do to help (PDF, 2 pages/827 Kb)
    Outlines proper vessel operation and maintenance practices that will help keep the Canal System clean and informs people how to identify and report illegal discharges and dumping observed while cruising the Canal System.
  • PDF Stormwater Pollution Prevention: What you can do to help (PDF, 2 pages/850 Kb)
    Describes how stormwater can become polluted and provides an overview of practical ways homeowners, drivers, boaters and pet owners can prevent pollution from entering the watershed.
  • PDF Nutrient Brochure (PDF, 2 pages/3.07 Mb)
    Describes the harmful effects of discharging the pollutants phosphorus and nitrogen to the waterways and provides suggestions for nutrient pollution prevention.
 

Posters

  • Good Cleaning Practices (PDF, 1 page/1.12 Mb)
    This poster, geared to employees at Authority Travel Plazas, outlines proper procedures for food service vendors that will help reduce stormwater pollution.
  • Good Housekeeping Practices - Thruway (PDF, 1 page/787 Kb)
    Good Housekeeping Practices - Canals (PDF, 1 page/668 Kb)
    These posters outline proper operating proper operating procedures for Canal and Thruway maintenance facilities that will help Authority/Corporation staff to reduce the risk of stormwater pollution.
  • Oil Water Separator Poster (PDF, 1 page/470 Kb)
    This poster provides guidance to Authority/Corporation staff on the proper operation and maintenance of oil water separators at Thruway and Canal maintenance facilities.
 

Public Events

  • Hudson River Watershed ModelCMOST Hudson River Watershed Model
    The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) and the New York State Thruway Authority unveiled their new Hudson River Watershed Model exhibit.  This interactive learning exhibit educates children by demonstrating how stormwater runoff can carry pollution to New York’s waterways.
  • Canal Clean Sweep
    The Canal Clean Sweep helps to highlight the significance of the Canal System as a recreational and tourist destination by encouraging communities, not-for-profit organizations and volunteers to engage in cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal System and Canalway Trail. Each year, the statewide event continues to grow. In 2009, the 4th Annual Canal Clean Sweep included more than 85 clean up events happening throughout the Canal System in celebration of Earth Day and in preparation for the 184th navigation season.

    2nd Annual Canal Clean Sweep Celebration


    As part of the 2nd Annual Canal Clean Sweep celebration, The Environmental Clearinghouse, Inc. (ECOS) and the Mabee Farm hosted an Earth Day celebration at Mabee Farm Historical Site.

  • Tug Urger Educational Program
    Each year, the Canal Corporation's flagship vessel, the Tug Urger, travels throughout the Canal System and hosts thousands of fourth grade schoolchildren for an educational program about the history of the Canal System. The Corporation has developed a program to educate students about the causes of storm water pollution and what they can do to prevent it. 
  • Storm Drain Stenciling
    Storm Drain StencilingThe New York State Thruway Authority partnered with Science Club students from Albany’s Sheridan Preparatory Academy to demonstrate the connection between everyday activities and potential pollution of waterways. Fourth and fifth grade students participated in a stormwater drain stenciling activity at the Thruway’s Guilderland Travel Plaza. The students painted “Only Rain Down the Drain, Drains to Waterway” by the storm drains to raise awareness that they drain to lakes, rivers and streams.
  • Public Outreach at Travel Plazas
    Public Outreach at Travel Plazas
    The Authority/Corporation have promoted their Connecting the Drops campaign by distributing informational materials at regional travel plazas across the Thruway System. The following materials have been made available to the public at the Sloatsburg, New Baltimore, Pembroke and Warners Travel Plazas as part of the Authority/Corporation’s public outreach that seeks to educate Thruway and Canal patrons about actions that everyone can take to protect their local watershed and prevent stormwater pollution:
 

Kids Corner

 

Stormwater Video