The Lake Tear of the Clouds Award is NYSFOLA’s highest honor. This award, named for the “highest” lake in the state, is awarded 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.
This year, we honor and thank former NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Dam Safety Section Chief, Alon Dominitz. In August 19, 2009, DEC issued revisions to the Part 673- Dam Safety Regulations to ensure the safety of the state’s dams. However, as with most regulatory changes, there were many issues. Notably many NYSFOLA member lake associations were faced with the challenges of funding, engineering, and emergency management planning – especially those who owned Class C High Hazard dams.
However, during his time as the Dam Safety Chief, Alon continually assisted our organization to thoughtfully communicate the state’s dam safety regulations. He worked diligently with our Board of Directors and membership to address their concerns while still meeting the requirements to ensure the safety of New York’s dams – to prevent loss of life and property. He worked with the NYSFOLA Dam Safety Committee, kept in close communication with us, and gave many conference presentations. Through it all, Alon demonstrated an extraordinary ability to accept both the praise, and the criticism, that often befall a public employee. For some of his presentations, he came wearing both a hard hat and a big smile!
Alon was also very engaged with the public at large. He made every effort to hold seminars and talks in many communities throughout NYS to help educate dam owners and the general public about dams, the importance of inspections and maintenance, and the need to keep them safe. He worked more than he didn’t, and NYS was fortunate to have him.
While Alon has moved on to a position with the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, we look forward to continued relations with the Dam Safety Section, and we recognize Alon’s many years of service with the Lake Tear of the Clouds Award.