President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," ordering the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to implement the change within 30 days.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum subsequently issued Secretary's Order 3453 directing the Department of the Interior to update the federal Geographic Names Information System, the government's official geographic database, to reflect "Lake America."
The order directs federal agencies to use "Lake America" in official federal records, maps and publications.
What changes for New Yorkers?
The biggest changes are expected in federal government materials.
Once the transition is complete, federal agencies are expected to use "Lake
America" in official documents, maps, websites and other publications.
The order does not require New York state agencies, counties, cities, towns, tourism organizations, marinas, charter boat operators or private businesses to immediately change signs, websites, brochures or marketing materials. The directive applies to federal government usage of the name.
The executive order applies to federal records and naming systems; any changes by private mapping platforms would be separate decisions by those companies.
Will New York communities have to change anything?
Not necessarily.
Nothing in the executive order requires Rochester, Oswego, Webster, Irondequoit, Greece, Hamlin, Sodus Point or other shoreline communities to replace signs, update local ordinances or change community branding. The directive applies to federal government usage of the name.
New York state agencies have not announced whether they will adopt "Lake America" in state documents, and the executive order does not direct state governments to do so.
The order also does not require Canada to adopt the new name. Canadian officials have said they will continue referring to the body of water as Lake Ontario.
That means New Yorkers could see both names used, depending on the source. Federal agencies are expected to use "Lake America" once the change is implemented, while Canada has said it will continue using "Lake Ontario." State and local governments, businesses and tourism organizations would make their own decisions about whether to adopt the new name.
Why does the name matter?
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes and forms part of the international border between New York and Ontario, Canada.
The lake covers about 7,340 square miles and is an important resource for drinking water, recreation, tourism and commercial shipping on both sides of the border.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Lake Ontario or Lake America? What Trump's order means for New York
