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Crowne Plaza Albany - the Desmond Hotel by IHG
660 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211
11th Annual Salt Summit, presented by the Times Union, now in Albany
Formerly the Adirondack Champlain Regional Salt Summit
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.
Register For FREE Today!
What to Expect
The full-day Summit will examine road salt reduction from scientific, operational, environmental and public-policy perspectives, connecting the latest research with practical solutions that can be implemented across New York.
2026 programming includes:
- State legislative panel focused on advancing road salt reduction across New York
- Drinking water impacts and the latest freshwater science
- Changing winters and climate conditions
- Highway Academy hosted by WIT Advisers with practical winter maintenance training
- Road salt supply challenges and New York State initiatives
- Private-sector innovation and best practices
- Outdoor demonstrations of salt-reduction technologies and practices
- Networking with professionals and leaders from across New York
Additional speakers and program details will be announced in the weeks ahead.
View 2025 Salt Summit Session Recordings!
Why Road Salt Matters Across New York
Road salt keeps New York moving safely through winter, but its overuse is increasingly threatening drinking water, freshwater ecosystems and infrastructure across the state.
Research in the Adirondack Park found that 63% of private wells sampled downslope of state roads exceeded federal and state sodium guidance values, while nearly 70% contained highly corrosive water.
In the Hudson Valley, a 2025 New York City Department of Environmental Protection study found that chloride concentrations in the New Croton Reservoir have tripled in 30 years and, if current trends continue, could reach the State's maximum contaminant level by 2108.
At Lake George, long-term research found that chloride concentrations tripled over 40 years, largely due to road salt overuse. But Lake George is also demonstrating that solutions work.
Through the Sustainable Winter Management Program (SWiM®), developed with WIT Advisers, some watershed municipalities have reduced salt use by up to 50% while maintaining winter road safety. Today, chloride concentrations in Lake George are showing signs of stabilization and decline.
From Lake George to Statewide Action
More than a decade ago, the Lake George community brought together municipalities, scientists, winter maintenance professionals, businesses and state leaders to find a better approach to winter road management.
That collaboration eventually grew into the Adirondack Champlain Regional Salt Summit.
Today, the challenge and opportunity extends far beyond the Adirondacks. The newly expanded New York State Salt Summit brings that experience to Albany, creating a statewide forum where science, implementation and public policy can come together.
The move builds on growing advocacy in Albany. Over the past year, the LGA has mobilized nearly 1,000 constituent letters supporting smarter statewide road salt policy and monitoring while working directly with lawmakers and partners to advance solutions.
Event Details
When: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel
660 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY 12211
Cost: Free
Format: In-person; session recordings will be available following the event
Advance registration is required.
Presented by the Times Union
The Times Union, the Capital Region's leading news organization, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of the 2026 New York State Salt Summit.
“The Times Union is committed to covering the issues that matter most to the communities we serve. The impacts of road salt on drinking water and infrastructure are increasingly important statewide, and we're proud to support the New York State Salt Summit to help elevate this conversation.”
— Molly Renaud, Times Union Director of Community Engagement
As Featured In
The Lake George Association’s salt reduction leadership has received independent editorial coverage from outlets including Popular Science, Times Union, Adirondack Explorer, WAMC, Spectrum News, NCPR and others.
Interested in Sponsoring?
The New York State Salt Summit is supported by partners who share our commitment to science-based solutions and statewide collaboration on reducing road salt impacts.
If you are interested in supporting the Summit through sponsorship, please visit the 2026 Sponsorship Page or contact the Development team:
- Megan Seeley — LGA Membership & Development Manager
- Chris Navitsky — Waterkeeper, Lake George Waterkeeper
- Phill Sexton — WIT Advisers
Learn more about sponsoring here:
https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/new-york-state-salt-summit-sponsor
Title Sponsor: Steward of New York Waters
Thank you to the Times Union for supporting the New York State Salt Summit as this year's Title Sponsor.
Solutions Leader:
Watershed Partner:
Community Ally:
