New York's Road Salt Problem Requires Statewide Solutions.
The 2026 New York State Salt Summit, presented by the Times Union, brings together policymakers, municipal and highway professionals, scientists, businesses and environmental leaders to advance practical, science-based solutions that reduce road salt pollution while maintaining safe winter roads.
Now in its 11th year, the Summit is moving from the Adirondacks to Albany and expanding statewide for the first time to bring science, proven solutions and public policy closer together.
View Venue Map.
The 2026 New York State Salt Summit Agenda:
REGISTRATION OPENS (7:30-8:00)
Location: King Street Courtyard
Explore the 2026 NYS Salt Summit's exhibitor tables while enjoying a continental breakfast and coffee.
WELCOME (8:00 – 8:20)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Brendan Wiltse, PhD, LGA President/CEO
- Congressman Paul Tonko
SESSION 1A (8:25-10:00)
Location: King Street Ballroom
The Science of Road Salt (8:25-9:10)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Sarah Whorley, PhD, Daemen University
- John Jackson, PhD, Stroud Water Research Institute
Session Topic Tag:
Science
Session Brief Description:
What does the latest science tell us about road salt’s effects on freshwater? Researchers will explore road salt use, ecological impacts and potential human health impacts.
New York’s Changing Winters Panel (9:10-10:00)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Zachary Labe, PhD, Climate Central
- Paul Caiano, Channel 13 Albany
- Mark Shanaberger, trueWeather
Session Topic Tag:
Science + Changing Winters
Session Brief Description:
How are changing winters reshaping the challenge of balancing safe winter road maintenance and road salt use reduction? Experts will explore road salt use impacts alongside changing winter precipitation, temperature and winter weather patterns. This session aims to connect science with the realities facing communities and winter maintenance professionals across New York.
SESSION 1B (8:25-10:00)
Location: Fort Orange Ballroom
Highway Academy (8:25-10:00)
Location: Fort Orange Ballroom
- Phill Sexton, WIT Advisers
- Rob Vopleus, WIT Advisers
Session Topic Tag:
Training + Implementation
Session Brief Description:
A practical training session for those responsible for keeping New York’s roads safe each winter. WIT Advisers will explore proven approaches to smarter winter maintenance (SWiM) while building a network of adopters who can help accelerate effective salt-reduction practices across New York.
BREAK (10:00-10:15)
Location: King Street Courtyard
SESSION 2 (10:15-12:00)
Location: King Street Ballroom
From Science to Policy: Legislative Panel (10:15-11:00)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Moderated by Dan Clark, Times Union
- New York Assembly Member Michael Cashman
- New York Assembly Member Carrie Woerner
- Judy Hansen, AWWA
- Andrew Williams, Adirondack Council
Session Topic Tag:
Policy + Advocacy
Session Brief Description:
The topic of sustainable winter maintenance, including road salt reduction, has taken the stage statewide in the wake of the Adirondack Road Salt Task Force Report and the Croton Salinity Study. State lawmakers and water and environmental leaders will discuss opportunities, challenges and policy pathways for accelerating smarter salt use across New York while maintaining winter road safety.
From Roads to Faucets: Road Salt's Impacts on New York's Drinking Water (11:00-12:00)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Shannon Roback, PhD, Riverkeeper
- Ty Fuller, Suffolk County Water Authority
- Adam Bosch, NYCDEP
Session Topic Tag:
Drinking Water
Session Brief Description:
Road salt doesn’t disappear when winter ends. Experts from across New York will examine how salt moves into groundwater and drinking water supplies. They will share how excess road salt can influence drinkability of water supplies and what those findings mean for communities, water managers and policymakers statewide.
LUNCH (12:00 - 12:45)
Location: King Street Atrium
Explore the 2026 NYS Salt Summit's exhibitors. Lunch will be provided.
SESSION 3 (12:45-1:45)
Location: Town Hall / Lower Parking Lot (Rear of building)
Solutions in Action: Road Salt Reduction Demonstrations (12:45-1:45)
Location: Town Hall / Lower Parking Lot (Rear of building)
- Participating technology and winter maintenance experts
Session Topic Tag:
Technology + Demonstrations
Session Brief Description:
Move outside the conference room to see road salt reduction in practice. Live demonstrations will showcase equipment, technologies and operational approaches designed to help winter maintenance professionals improve application, increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary salt use while keeping roads safe.
SESSION 4 (1:45-3:45)
Location: King Street Ballroom
Salt Shortage Panel: Supply, Safety and Resilience (1:45-2:30)
Location: King Street Ballroom
Moderated by Larry Rulison
- Rob Fitch, Office of Transportation Maintenance
- Mike Monroe, Town of Wilton Highway Supt.
- Paul Fried, Custom Landscaping
Session Topic Tag:
Salt Supply + Resilience
Session Brief Description:
Last winter, some municipalities and contractors nearly ran out of road salt, causing concerns for road safety. Stakeholders will examine salt shortages and supply challenges from multiple perspectives, including whether state policy is a factor, and consider how smarter salt management can strengthen both operational and environmental resilience.
Scaling Solutions: New York State Initiatives (2:30-3:15)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- David Orr, Cornell Local Roads Program
- Leila Mitchell, NYSDEC Division of Water
Session Topic Tag:
Statewide Solutions
Session Brief Description:
Explore initiatives already helping New York communities improve winter maintenance and reduce salt impacts. Speakers will share resources, programs and practical approaches that can help translate road salt reduction goals into action at the state and local levels.
Beyond the Highway Panel: Smarter Salt Use on Private Property (3:15-3:45)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Moderated by Chris Navitsky, PE, LGA
- Kathy Muncil, Fort William Henry Corporation
- Chris Howk, Wegmans Food Markets
- Paul Fried, Custom Landscaping
Session Topic Tag:
Business + Best Practices
Session Brief Description:
Businesses manage parking lots, sidewalks and other surfaces across New York every winter. This conversation will highlight how private-sector leaders are adopting smarter practices that maintain safe properties while reducing unnecessary salt use that results in infrastructure damage and increased property maintenance costs.
SWiM CERTIFICATION (3:45-3:50)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Phill Sexton, WIT Advisers
CLOSING REMARKS (3:50-4:00)
Location: King Street Ballroom
- Chris Navitsky, PE, LGA
NETWORKING RECEPTION (4:00-5:00)
Location: Fort Orange Ballroom Courtyard
Please join us for an exciting cocktail hour following the Salt Summit!
Drink tickets will be allocated at the registration table.
