ALSC is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1984 as a cooperative agreement between the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). ALSC's purpose is to continue the long term monitoring program for evaluating changes in water quality in the Adirondack region.

John Ernst, past Chairman of The Adirondack Council, said when presenting the award, "Much of the Lakes Survey Corporation's work has been used in conjunction with other research around the region and is some of the oldest and continuing research of its kind in the nation. Demonstrating that excellent science can inform and guide sound policy-making, the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation data have shown time and time again the need for further reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the pollutants that cause acid rain."

Accepting the award, ALSC Program Manager Jed Dukett said "On behalf of the entire ALSC staff, we thank The Adirondack Council for recognition as their Conservationist of the Year. As a pledge to our supporters and public we promise to continue to collect and disseminate the highest degree of quality assured data as it relates to acid deposition."

ALSC's work began with an extensive baseline survey conducted from 1984 to 1987 that culminated with the 1990 Adirondack Lakes Survey Report. This report showed that nearly one-quarter of the Adirondack Park's lakes were too acidic to support their native fish populations. Since that time, acid rain monitoring surveys, fisheries and watershed projects have continued. The most intensive of these is the Long-Term Monitoring Project which began in June 1992 and continues presently.

NYSDEC Research Scientist Karen Roy photo courtesy The Adirondack Council

Karen Roy, a DEC research scientist with the ALSC, speaking to the history of the program and to the entities that support it, said, “Twenty-two summers ago in July 1984, the first crew of biologists and field technicians set out to capture data on what was to become the most extensive lake survey of chemistry and fish to study lake acidification anywhere. Little did anyone know that over two decades later, their work would continue to be cited in journals and policy documents throughout the United States. Many people and organizations were then, and are now, responsible for the continued existence of this project.”

Ms. Roy extended appreciation to the originators of the ALSC, to DEC and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for its continued commitment and support. Times were not always so bright for this acid rain monitoring program. A major funding shortage in the 1990’s threatened the shut-down of the Adirondack Program. If multiple entities had not rallied support and gain further funding for the program, critical data would have been lost.

ALSC works with DEC's Division of Air Resources and receives joint funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ms. Roy thanked the Adirondack Council and its staff for over two decades of unwavering support for the long-term monitoring program.