Lake Champlain Sea Grant and the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory prepared a framework for a five-year research plan (2004–2009) that addresses atmospheric deposition issues in the Lake Champlain basin in the context of known and anticipated funding opportunities. The goal of this research plan is to quantify the annual atmospheric deposition of mercury, major inorganic ions (sulfate, oxidized and reduced nitrogen), and selected toxins within the Lake Champlain watershed to support the subsequent development of a pollutant budget for Lake Champlain. The plan outlines specific research objectives and a suggested framework to coordinate sampling, quality control, and data management and distribution activities to foster integration and synergy amongst the participating projects. The prioritized goals and recommendations outlined were reached by a consensus of scientists, program managers and policy representatives at a workshop sponsored by the National Sea Grant Office and conducted by LCSG and the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory.