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DEC Contact: Kerry McElroy (315) 426-7400 June 26, 2019
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DEC RESEARCH SCIENTIST SCOTT COOK HONORED BY NEW YORK STATE FEDERATION OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONSAward Recognizes Cook’s Lengthy Career Dedicated to NYS Lakes and Watersheds |
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Research Scientist and Finger Lakes Water Hub Supervisor Scott Cook was recently presented with the 2019 Lake Tear of the Clouds Award by the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA). The award, NYSFOLA’s highest honor, is bestowed annually to a person who has shown the highest dedication to lakes and watersheds, assisted NYSFOLA in its mission, and produced exceptional performance in his or her field of endeavor. “Scott Cook is a tremendous resource to the Finger Lakes region and all waters of New York State. His breadth and depth of involvement in water quality projects and programs across the state is remarkable. Scott is a leader among leaders in caring for our water environment. I thank him for his decades of service to DEC and New Yorkers and I thank the Federation of Lake Associations for recognizing his work with this award,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. Cook, a 35-year employee of DEC, has been involved in all aspects of lake management. NYSFOLA recognized Cook for activities such as water quality monitoring; assisting lake communities in their quest to manage for an improved lake; serving as an advocate for both regulators and those affected by permitting decisions; working behind the scenes to support watershed management actions; and serving as a knowledgeable, fair, and conscientious bridge among diverse groups. In 2016, Cook was promoted to supervisor of DEC’s newly created Finger Lakes Water Hub where he leads a talented group of scientists dedicated to addressing water quality in the Finger Lakes and developing new policies, programs, and technologies that will serve to benefit all New York State lakes. Past recipients of the Lake Tear of the Clouds Award include two DEC employees and other notable scientists and prominent elected officials. The complete list of award recipients, from its inception in 1996 to present, is available on NYSFOLA’s website. The award is named for the highest lake in New York State. Lake Tear of the Clouds, the headwaters of the Hudson River, is a two-acre pond situated on Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains, the highest peak in NYS. From Lake Tear, the Hudson journeys 315 miles and drops 4,322 feet in elevation on its way to New York Harbor. PHOTO ATTACHED: Scott Cook (R) poses with his award from the New York State Federation of Lake Associations with former recipient Scott Kishbaugh (L) |
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