ALBANY (AP) — New York state is chipping in to help protect the water quality of Lake George.

The state announced Friday that it will contribute $343,000 to efforts to repair and upgrade local wastewater collection systems around the lake. The project focuses on preventing wastewater discharges and overflows into the lake.

Lake George is a popular tourist destination in the southeastern corner of the Adirondacks. The lake played a strategic role in the French and Indian War and was later described by Thomas Jefferson as having “the most beautiful water” he had ever seen.

The money from the state comes from a $2.5 billion fund set up to help local communities defray the cost of vital water and wastewater improvements.