"What this means for us here is a whole lot more promotion," he said. "It will probably not mean as much in terms of development capital."

The Erie Canal was given the title Friday by a Congressional vote, meaning the 524-mile waterway and its communities will be infused with some $10 million in National Park Service initiatives.

Gov. George E. Pataki gave the bill his nod with the finalization of Texas Gov. George W. Bush as president. His opposition to the Clinton administration's being involved with the canal scuttled the measure in Congress last October.

The bill was quickly amended, and Congress approved it along with a raft of other legislation at the end of its lame-duck session.

"With Republicans in control, Pataki said he's willing to go along," said Ron Anderson, legislative aide to Rep. James Walsh, R-Syracuse, the bill's chief proponent.

The funds will be distributed over the next decade and will likely be used for an educational and advertising campaign, said Coulombe.

"This canal is very well promoted in spot places like world canal journals or international inland waterways publications," said Coulombe, "but those are very specific aimed at a certain audience.

"I think the national heritage the promotion will reach a much broader audience," he added.

Coulombe said the designation was the next logical step for the canal, which just celebrated its 175th anniversary.

In the past few years communities along the canal have been immersed in development projects through the Department of Housing and Urban development's canal corridor initiative.

With HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo's backing, Wayne County received $17 million in funds to create parks, trails, marinas and other tourist attractions along its stretch of canal.

At the same time the state department of parks, recreation and Historical preservation has embarked on its own development and management plan.

"I think it is the next logical step," said Coulombe. "All the indications that we've heard in discussions with the national parks service have lead us to believe that this will largely be promotional and historical project."

The heritage corridor plan will be implemented by a 27-member commission appointed by the Interior secretary. It is expected to help aid in developing and marketing the historic Albany-to-Buffalo waterway as a tourist attraction and source of regional pride.

"Few historic resources in the United States are equal to the Erie Canal in their impact on the creation of the American nation," said Marie Rust, Northeast regional director for the National Park Service.

Kevin P. Gaughan, who organized a two-day "Canal Conversation" of national experts in Buffalo last summer that drew more than 1,000 people, described Pataki's "change of heart" as thrilling news.

"I can't think of a more appropriate manner to ensure the canal's future," he told The Buffalo News.