Title
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ROAD SALT
Mr. Peter Bursztyn discussed the impacts of road salt on the environment and recent articles published concerning the rise of salt percentages in freshwater lakes and streams. Mr. Bursztyn advised the need to eliminate road salt and suggested that a letter be sent to the Province of Ontario regarding the regulations of road salt on bare pavement.
K. Thompson, Risk Management Officer provided a presentation concerning the City of Barrie’s Salt Optimization Strategy.
Ms. Thompson discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• The challenge to protect the quality of drinking water sources and maintain safe surfaces for pedestrians and vehicles;
• The City of Barrie’s vision to minimize the environmental impact of road salt application while maintaining safe surfaces;
• Six maps illustrating the areas the might be vulnerable;
• Maps illustrating the sale vulnerability index, the level of service on roads by priority;
• The technology and control techniques;
• The current pilot projects;
• Charts associated with material tracking and monitoring;
• Education and outreach;
• The bigger picture of objectives to reduce the use of salt and safety;
• The results associated with a salt reduction of 27% from previous season and 43% reduction in over a 10 year average;
• The projected 2016/2017 Lane-Kilometre Savings and Salt Savings;
• Information on the Smart About Salt Program and the Risk Management Plans;
• The Parking Lot Design Guidelines;
• The process associated with the LID Screening;
• The Creek Monitoring Program; and
• Other initiatives for 2017 and beyond.
Members of the Committee asked several questions to City staff and received responses.