On a visit to Lewis County Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer promised to seek funding for a proposed maple syrup bottling plant.

The idea of having a maple syrup packaging and distribution center in Lewis County is an interesting one worth exploring. After all, Lewis County is the state's largest producer of maple syrup, and much of the state's syrup is produced in the north country.

Thus, having such a facility in Lewis County would make sense. Sen. Schumer, D-N.Y., suggested that being close to the St. Lawrence River is an advantage, too, for international shipping of the product.

The idea, suggested earlier this year by Michele E. Ledoux, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, has sparked a product supply study by Cornell University and a feasibility study by Development Services of Auburn.

Some $100,000 in state funds have been attained for building and equipment costs, and Mr. Schumer has pledged to seek federal support.

Quebec has nine maple bottling facilities, Vermont two large ones and New Hampshire one. New York has none.

Building a plant in Lewis County would provide jobs and boost New York's maple syrup industry. The proposal should be examined thoroughly.

It is also heartening that Sen. Schumer took time to observe the Eurasian milfoil problem on Black Lake in St. Lawrence County. Hampering navigation and fishing, the invasive weed is threatening the lake itself. The senator has pressed the Army Corps of Engineers to become involved, and the agency will assess the weed problem and draft a remediation plan.

Other environmental and shoreline concerns are worthy of the senator's attention, particularly the invasive species issue and water levels. He should note the need for the International Joint Commission to adopt a water management plan that would reverse decades of environmental damage to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.