WASHINGTON (WDNews) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”
The order, dated Aug. 27, directs the secretary of the Interior to work with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to make the change within 30 days.
Trump said the new name recognizes the lake’s economic, historical and strategic importance to the United States.
“The Lake will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy,” Trump said in the order.
The order points to the lake’s role in American trade, military operations, shipping, energy production and drinking water supplies. It also highlights U.S. investment in protecting the Great Lakes and the Coast Guard’s role in maintaining shipping routes.
Lake Ontario is bordered by New York to the south and east and the Canadian province of Ontario to the north, west and southwest.
Under the order, the Geographic Names Information System would be updated to use “Lake America” and remove federal references to Lake Ontario. Federal agencies would also be directed to use the new name on government maps, contracts, documents and communications.
The executive order applies to the name used by the U.S. federal government. Because Lake Ontario is shared by the United States and Canada, the order does not direct the Canadian government to change the name it uses for the lake.
The order states that the change must be carried out consistent with applicable law and available funding.
