Honoring the Lake Champlain Research Institute

Text in the Record

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lake Champlain Research Institute in the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at SUNY Plattsburgh on the dedication of its new research vessel, the R/V Leptodora. The Leptodora replaces LCRI's longtime research vessel, the Gruendling, which has served researchers on Lake Champlain for more than three decades. This state-of-the-art vessel will expand the Institute's ability to conduct cutting-edge research, support student training, and advance our understanding of Lake Champlain. Under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Mihuc, the Institute has built a reputation for scientific excellence through investments in modern laboratory equipment, advanced field instruments, and innovative monitoring technologies that provide critical data on the health of Lake Champlain. The Leptodora was made possible through a strong partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which provided $750,000 toward construction of the custom-built vessel, along with additional support for a multi-year deep-lake ecology research initiative. The new vessel will play a central role in that project, enabling scientists and students to collect data more efficiently and safely while expanding research opportunities on the lake. The Commission's continued investment reflects its longstanding commitment to scientific research, fisheries management, and environmental stewardship throughout the region. Named after Leptodora kindtii, a transparent zooplankton species found in Lake Champlain and an important component of the lake's food web, the vessel symbolizes the Institute's mission to better understand and protect the complex ecosystems that sustain the lake. Through research conducted aboard the Leptodora, SUNY Plattsburgh students will gain invaluable hands-on experience while contributing to the scientific knowledge needed to preserve Lake Champlain for future generations. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I extend my sincere gratitude to the Lake Champlain Research Institute, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Dr. Mihuc and his team, and all of the partners whose dedication and support have made this important achievement possible. Their work strengthens the North Country, advances freshwater science, and helps ensure the long-term health and preservation of Lake Champlain.

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