§ 25. Making and recording of "Blue Line" maps. The commissioner of
transportation shall cause the preparation of maps of the Erie, Oswego,
Champlain and the Cayuga and Seneca canals as they existed prior to and
independent of lands appropriated for barge canal purposes and of all
lands belonging to the state adjacent thereto or connected therewith,
and there shall be designated on such maps the boundaries of the lands
to which the state holds title, and so far as possible the names of the
owners of the adjoining lands. Every map when completed shall be
approved and certified to as correct by the commissioner of
transportation and be certified to as correct by the chief engineer. The
original of said map shall be filed in the office of the corporation and
copies thereof, duly signed and certified as aforesaid, shall be filed
in the office of the department of state. Each of said maps so filed
shall be regarded as an original copy. A blue or white print copy of
such map or portion of such map or maps as related or applies to any
particular county of the state shall be transmitted to and filed in the
office of the clerk of such county, or in the office in such county
wherein conveyances are required by law to be recorded and such filing
shall constitute a notice to all persons of the state's title to and
ownership of said lands. A transcript of such maps certified as correct
by the officer with whom such map or maps shall be filed shall be
received as presumptive evidence of the state's title to the canal lands
as of the date designated on such maps in all judicial or legal
proceedings.