irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2KDAM AND BRIDGE REPAIRS
- #2 $100LOON CONSERVATION
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Pump-out Program
Organizes and subsidizes a barge service to help lakefront property owners pump and maintain septic systems, especially those with lake-only access
Dam and Bridge Maintenance
Owns, operates, and maintains the outlet dam and bridge at Outlet Brook to regulate lake levels and ensure structural safety
Invasive Species Control
Partners with the Upper Saranac Foundation and state agencies to remove invasive plants like variable-leaf watermilfoil through diver-led harvesting
Lake and Tap Water Testing
Conducts regular lake water quality monitoring in partnership with state agencies and Cornell University; provides volunteer-led tap water testing for coliform and E. coli bacteria
Steward Program
Contracts with Paul Smith’s College and the Adirondack Watershed Institute to employ stewards who inspect boats at launch sites for invasive species; operates a free boat wash station at the DEC launch
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 3 activities
- Manages and maintains the outlet dam to regulate Lake Placid water levelsOwns, operates, and maintains the outlet dam to ensure consistent lake water levels for ecological stability and recreational use; conducted structural rehabilitation in 1995 and continues ongoing maintenance.
- Provides septic system support services for lakefront propertiesRents a septic barge and operates an Annual Pump-out Program to provide affordable septic pump-out services for boat-access-only camps; provides assistance to homeowners with septic pumping and promotes septic safety to protect water quality.
- Supports loon conservation and broader environmental protection effortsEngages in active loon conservation on Lake Placid; participates in broader environmental stewardship including watershed and forest protection from logging impacts.
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Lake and Watershed Monitoring & Assessment 2 activities
- Conducts water quality monitoring and testing for lake and tap waterRuns the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program, a volunteer-based monitoring initiative that tracks indicators of lake health in partnership with state agencies; organizes volunteer testing of tap water for coliform and E. coli bacteria for lakefront property owners.
- Develops and implements lake management and environmental planning initiativesCommissioned a comprehensive Lake Management Plan in 2019 to assess geology, soils, wetlands, water quality, and invasive species; developed a long-term lake management plan to guide conservation and usage policies.
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 2 activities
- Enhances fire safety and emergency response readiness for lakeshore propertiesDistributed and updated reflective identification number plates for docks and boathouses to aid emergency responders; historically provided fireboats (SOA I and SOA II) and supported fire protection initiatives along the shoreline.
- Promotes navigational and boating safety on Lake PlacidMaintains navigational markers, lights, and buoys; educates boaters on safety regulations including mandatory certification requirements; supports safe operation through public information and enforcement of vessel rules.
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Lake and River Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocates for lake protection policies and vessel regulationEstablished and enforces the Lake Placid Vessel Regulation Zone to restrict boat speeds and ban jet skis and aircraft; successfully advocated for state legislation in 1924 and county-level regulation in 1942; promotes boater safety education and legislative compliance.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Educates members and the public on environmental best practicesShares information about proper fertilizer use and pollutant reduction to protect water quality; publishes newsletters (Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Winter 2026) and member booklets (2023) to communicate stewardship guidance and organizational updates.
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Lake Invasive Species Management 1 activity
- Prevents and controls aquatic invasive species through inspection and removal programsOperates a boat steward program that inspects boats at multiple launch sites seven days a week to prevent the introduction of invasive species; hires professional divers annually to harvest invasive plants such as Eurasian and variable-leaf watermilfoil, including removing over 1,000 pounds from Paradox Bay in 2019.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Reduces light pollution through the Lake Placid Dark Sky InitiativeLaunched and promotes the Lake Placid Dark Sky Initiative to address light pollution and preserve natural night skies around the lake.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$45K
Contributions & grants$41K91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K9%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$20K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$279K
Cash$231K
Investments$0
Liabilities$19K
Net assets$261K
Liquid reserves138.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -5.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 17
- ASHLEY KASPERZAK — TRUSTEE
- CATHY SLOAN — TRUSTEE
- CONRAD TESTWUIDE — TRUSTEE
- HILARY MCDONALD — TRUSTEE
- JAIDEEP KHANNA — TRUSTEE
- JAY IRELAND — TRUSTEE
- JOHN MCMILLIN III — TRUSTEE
- JULIANNE BERTAGNA — TRUSTEE
- KEITH OLSEN — TRUSTEE
- KEVIN BETTE — TRUSTEE
- NANCY BEGIER — TRUSTEE
- PETER PENCE — TRUSTEE
- ROBY POLITI — TRUSTEE
- ROGER SMITH — VICE PRESIDENT
- SCOTT DONNELLY — PRESIDENT
- TOM WALDEN IV — TRUSTEE
- WILLIAM KAUFMAN — TRUSTEE
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Adirondack Foundation Funder — Administers the Keep Placid Pure Fund, established by the SOA, to support invasive species control and water quality programs.
- Adirondack Foundation Funder — Hosts the donation fund for the "Keep Placid Pure" initiative.
- Adirondack Foundation Funder — Processes donations for the "Keep Placid Pure" fund on behalf of the Shore Owners' Association
- Adirondack Watershed Institute Partner — Administers the SOA-funded steward program that inspects and decontaminates boats entering Lake Placid.
- Board of Supervisors of Essex County Government — Partnered with the Association to establish the Lake Placid Vessel Regulation Zone in 1942.
- Cornell University Partner — Provided water quality study services for Lake Placid through the Lake Placid Water Pollution Control Commission in the 1970s.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Collaborates on boat inspections at shared launch sites.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Collaborates with the SOA to run the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program, a volunteer lake monitoring program.
- NYS Federation of Lake Associations Partner — Co-runs the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and supports the SOA's lake monitoring efforts.
- New York State Government — Supports state-level legislation related to boating license requirements and speed regulations on Lake Placid.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Assumed responsibility for the navigation buoy system on the lake in 1969; SOA continues to monitor buoys in coordination.
- New York State Legislature Government — Enacted state-level navigation laws at the request of the Association in 1924.
- Paul Smith's College Partner — Contracts with the SOA to operate a steward program inspecting boats for invasive species at Lake Placid launch sites.
- Town of North Elba Government — Annually appoints a constable to enforce navigation rules in coordination with the Association.
- Town of North Elba Government — Enacted the Lake Placid Lake Septic System Inspection Law, which the SOA supports through its pump-out and education programs.
- Town of North Elba Partner — Assumed responsibility for fire protection on Lake Placid in 1966 alongside the Village of Lake Placid.
- Upper Saranac Foundation Partner — Partnered with the Upper Saranac Foundation to remove invasive species from Lake Placid via dive harvest.
- Village of Lake Placid Government — Operates the municipal water treatment plant and collaborates with the SOA on lake water quality protection.
- Village of Lake Placid Partner — Collaborated on providing navigation lights and assumed responsibility for fire protection on the lake in 1966.
- community organizations Partner — Works with community organizations committed to the protection and conservation of Lake Placid and surrounding land.
- state and local government agencies Government — Collaborates with state and local government agencies on lake protection and conservation efforts.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Based Stewardship Modelmethodology: community-based stewardshipBy engaging shoreline property owners as members in participatory governance, the organization sustains long-term ecological protection because collective ownership fosters shared responsibility, compliance, and commitment to preserving the lake’s health and aesthetic quality.
- Integrated Lake Preservationmethodology: integrated lake preservationBy combining environmental stewardship, pollution prevention, water level management, and infrastructure maintenance into a unified approach, the organization achieves comprehensive protection of lake ecology and safety because coordinated interventions address interdependent threats more effectively than isolated actions.
- Safety-First Shared Waterway Managementmethodology: safety-first shared waterway managementBy enforcing zoned speed regulations, prohibiting high-risk vessels, and prioritizing safety in recreational use policies, the organization reduces accidents and protects shorelines because structured rules mitigate conflict between users and minimize environmental disturbance.
- Threat-Based Prioritization for Lake Protectionmethodology: threat-based prioritizationBy using data-driven assessment of ecological threats to prioritize actions in the Lake Management Plan, the organization improves long-term outcomes because resources are directed toward the most urgent and impactful interventions first.
- Two-Pronged Invasive Species Preventionmethodology: two-pronged prevention strategyBy combining public education and boat inspections with diver-led harvesting and monitoring, the organization prevents the spread of invasive species because this dual approach stops new introductions while actively managing existing infestations.