Editorial: Local efforts to reduce road salt are appreciated

In recent years the negative effects of road salt have become more evident, both for the environment and for those who obtain their drinking water from wells. While it was always intuitive that salt washing off of highways and entering streams and groundwater would be detrimental, today we have science-based evidence that this is the case. Lake Placid's Mirror Lake in particular has been extensively studied, and found to be among the saltiest in the Adirondacks, with, according to the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program, surface water chloride concentrations that are nearly 160-times higher than Adirondack lakes without paved roads in their watershed. That's to be expected, not only from highway salt, but salt scattered (often excessively) by homeowners on drives and sidewalks. As documented by groups such as the Adirondack Watershed Institute and Ausable River Association, salt contamination can prevent the mixing or "turning over" of a lake, a process necessary for the survival of cold-water species such as lake trout. Closer to home, studies have shown elevated levels of sodium and chloride in wells, particularly those near state roads. Wells further back in the hinterlands or higher up than paved roads are fine. These findings must, of course, be balanced with public safety. We expect that roads will be promptly cleared of ice and snow, and salt as of now remains the most effective solution. Fortunately, local highway and town officials have proven increasingly responsive to reducing the risks to motorists and the environment alike. Lake George has been on the cutting edge of salt reduction, and communities such as Hague and Wilmington have put their own proactive programs into play. Most recently, plow drivers from Peru, Ausable, Plattsburgh and Hague met for a workshop in salt reduction, swapping ideas, concerns and best-practices intended to keep the roads safe while protecting well, lake and river water. This is not a topic without controversy. Still, even highway superintendents who argue in favor of salt for its effectiveness are generally open to the idea that the amount they use can be reduced with no damage to results. Plow operators in the past had little in the way of equipment or technology that would help them spread salt mode judiciously. But that's changing. Salt spreaders are more finely calibrated today. Cameras can monitor highways to see when salt is needed, as opposed to just sending out a truck whenever snow is in the forecast. New methods and products for treating roads are coming on the market, and even low-tech methods — such as cutting back tree canopies to allow more snow-melting sunshine on road surfaces — are being employed. Needless to say, this is beneficial not just to the environment and to public health, but to the taxpayers as well. Conserving salt conserves money. Some of the technologies are expensive, but the up-front costs are mitigated in the long run with annual savings on salt and fuel. GPS trackers, for example, help ensure roads are not over-treated. We believe these are worthwhile investments that, while keeping highways safe, will improve environmental and public health at the same time. We appreciate that road crews clear the highways in the winter, and we also appreciate their willingness to do this in the most healthy and efficient way possible.

Signup for our newsletter

Editorial: Local efforts to reduce road salt are appreciated

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS