The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is urging the federal government to designate the state's canal system as a "No Discharge Zone."

In a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York will formally request the "No Discharge" designation which would outlaw discharges of all treated or untreated sewage from boat toilets and holding tanks into in the 524-mile canal system. By directing boats to use canal-side pumpout stations, the state can prevent harmful wastes from entering the canals and damaging New York's natural resources.

The New York State Canal System includes the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain and Oswego canals, which link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.