OGDENSBURG -- Canadian lawmakers and leaders from the American side of the St. Lawrence River met in Ogdensburg Friday to call for an easing of stringent reporting requirements for boaters.

At a press conference held on the shores of the St. Lawrence River at the Dobisky Visitors’ Center in Ogdensburg, state Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, voiced her support for legislation introduced by Canadian Sen. Bob Runciman that would eliminate the need for American boaters to report to Canadian customs when passing through Canadian waters, so long as they do not disembark, anchor, moor, make contact with another vessel or import goods.

The measure would also exempt Canadian boaters from reporting to Canadian customs when they return from American to Canadian waters, as long as they meet these same conditions.

Recently, Member of Parliament Gord Brown, who also took part in the press conference, introduced similar legislation in the Canadian House of Commons.

Along the St. Lawrence River Sen. Ritchie’s district reaches from Louisville in St. Lawrence County through the Thousand Islands.

“The United States and Canada are lucky enough to share the St. Lawrence River, which is not only one of the world’s most majestic natural resources, but also a major economic driver for both of our countries that attracts tourists to our local communities from across the globe,” said Ritchie.

Also at the press conference were City of Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley, Ogdensburg City Councilor Jennifer Stevenson and Gary DeYoung, 1000 Islands International Tourism Council Director.

“This common sense legislation would eliminate confusion—especially for people new to the St. Lawrence River—improve relations between Canada and the United States, and make it easier for all people who are boating or fishing on the waterway.”

Ritchie and Runciman several years ago asked Canadian officials to investigate the treatment of a U.S. fisherman whose boat was seized for straying into Canadian waters near Gananoque.

“It was Patty who contacted me five years ago when Canada Border Services Agency seized the boat of a New York fisherman who strayed a quarter mile into Canadian waters—she’s a great believer in cross-border cooperation, because she understands the nature of the local economy and the long-standing, close ties between the North Country and Eastern Ontario,” said Runciman.

The Customs Act says that if you enter Canadian waters, you have to report to customs unless you are proceeding directly from one spot in the U.S. to another, using the most direct route. “Considering the geography of this region, particularly west of here in the Thousand Islands, I don’t think that is a realistic requirement,” Runciman said.

Another topic of discussion was the possibility of SUNY Canton working with Canadian hospitals to provide nursing students with clinical placements.

The group also discussed ways in which Canada and the United States can work together to strengthen each other’s respective dairy industries. During the meeting, attendees talked with Canadian lawmakers, including MP Gord Brown, who is one of the country’s leaders on dairy issues, about regulations affecting American export of products to Canada.