By ADAM ATKINSON

CANTON -- The town board has approved two development plans focusing on developing Canton’s waterfronts and the areas around Grasse River for tourism, community enhancement and economy.

The Grasse River Blueway Trail Plan and the updated Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan are both available on the town website, www.cantonny.gov, and promote things like informational signage and kiosks, trail networks and boat launches.

Both feature extensive demographic details, history, mapping and statistical data regarding the waterfront.

The 61-page Blueway plan involves not only Canton but several communities along the Grasse River including the towns of Russell, Madrid, Massena and Louisville, and the villages of Canton and Massena.

The town board approved drafts of both at their meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Maps detailing areas of rapids for kayakers, existing assets to tourism and areas of improvement are spread throughout the Blueway plan.

“The Blueway Trail Plan brings the Grasse River communities together to create an identity based on their connection to the River that can be celebrated, protected and promoted,” the report said. “The plan’s scope is to understand the existing recreational resources and identify cooperative ways to enhance the experience and opportunities along the River corridor for residents and visitors and to demonstrate regional stewardship in protecting the River’s invaluable ecosystem.”

The plan defines a blueway trail as a small boat and paddling route combining environmental awareness, tourism and recreation, and one of its main goals is to “reclaim the waterfront as a regional activity center.”

The Blueway plan features ideas for implemention of river access enhancements like boat launches, landscaping and parking. Methods of land trail development including the construction of earthworks or rights-of-way, hamlet or Main Street revitalization like streetscape or façade improvements, development of a marketing brochure, and land and water protection are also described.

“We now have the final plan,” said town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley, presenting the final draft to the board.

Copies of the document will be available at the town offices as well as on the website.

“And thanks to Phil (LaMarshe, town councilman) and everybody that was involved in getting this done,” Ashley said. “That was a lot of work and we appreciate it.”

“It’s still ongoing to get reimbursement,” LaMarshe said. The Blueway plan was funded by grants through the Department of State from the federal Environmental Protection Fund.

The village of Canton was expected to approve and accept the Blueway plan at their meeting Monday. Other municipal boards will be reviewing copies as well.

The now updated 171-page Waterfront plan deals primarily with the Canton townscape.

The original draft of the plan was approved in 2010 using Environmental Protection Fund money funneled through the state Division of Coastal Resources. The Waterfront plan requires periodic updating and approval by the municipal boards involved.

“That’s another significant document,” Ashley said.

A third planning document, the Canton Master Trail plan was approved by the town and village of Canton last month and is also available on the town website.

It details ways to interconnect and add to the communities existing trail network for pedestrian, cycling, skiing and snowshoeing.