nfo Online for Canadian/US Boaters & Motorists

As one might expect, the 2006 edition of Cross-Border Travel Tips for Recreational Boaters, RV Owners and Motorists, published by New York Sea Grant and Seaway Trail, Inc., contains new information about traveling between Canada and New York’s freshwater shoreline destinations. The Seaway Trail, a 518-mile scenic driving and boating route, is one of America’s Byways and a National Recreation Trail. Most of the updated information applies to boaters who will be visiting ports along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River or Lake Erie. Low-risk boaters will be happy to hear that the NEXUS Marine program has been expanded to include Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River. The international program allows pre-approved, low security risk travelers arriving by recreational boat in the US and Canada to report their arrival by telephone. Those approved for a NEXUS Marine card are automatically qualified for NEXUS Highway, a program that provides dedicated lanes at the Peace, Whirlpool and Rainbow Bridges at Niagara Falls for express crossing between the US and Canada. NEXUS cardholders are still subject to random inspections at the ports and crossings. The 2006 Cross-Border Travel Tips include basic information on the I-68 boating season pass for arrivals in the US and the CANPASS Private Boat program for arrivals in Canada. David White, a recreation/tourism specialist for New York Sea Grant, Oswego, NY, particularly stresses one change to the Travel Tips for boaters who frequent the port of Lewiston on the Niagara River. “There is no longer a videophone available at Lewiston for reporting arrival in the U.S. The next nearest videophone sites are south at North Tonawanda and north at Youngstown. We stress the importance of calling ahead to your intended destination to be sure everything is in place to smooth your arrival,” White says. Teresa Mitchell, executive director of Seaway Trail, Inc., Sackets Harbor, NY, points out that the 2006 edition of the Travel Tips has expanded contact points – both phone numbers and websites – for travel, Customs, boating safety, and security alert status information. “Each year we add expanded information to facilitate and encourage cross-border travel. The discussions about the need for border security have highlighted the economic value of the international tourism industry to both the U.S. and Canada,” Mitchell says. The brochure – online at www.seawaytrail.com – references the current expectation that a passport will be required for air and sea travelers by 12/31/06 and for all land and cross-border travelers by 12/31/07. Continuing government discussions, however, may change those requirements. “We continue to hope that our government officials will develop the least-costly, yet most effective, means for identifying travelers and that the method will encourage cross-border tourism,” Mitchell says.Travelers moving between the New York and Canada use seven international bridges:… Cornwall, Ontario to Massena, NY;… Prescott, Ontario to Ogdensburg, NY;… 1000 Islands International Bridge: Ivy Lea, Ontario to Alexandria Bay, NY;… Queenston, Ontario to Lewiston, NY… Rainbow Bridge: Niagara Falls, Ontario to Niagara Falls, NY,… Whirlpool Bridge: Niagara Falls, ON to Niagara Falls, NY – NEXUS-only… Peace Bridge: Fort Erie, Ontario to Buffalo, NY.An international ferry service, Horne’s Ferry, runs between Wolfe Island, Ontario and Cape Vincent, NY.The 2006 Border Crossing Tips are posted at www.seawaytrail.com.