Salt Management Plans History In 2001, Environment Canada (EC) released an assessment report stating that road salts

(sodium chloride) are entering the environment in large quantities, posing a risk to plants, animals, waterbodies, and groundwater. The ECs report recommended that salt be designated as toxic under the Canadian Environment Protection Act (CEPA). EC has stated that if road salts are designated as CEPA toxic, they will not ban road salts but rather will encourage users/municipalities to develop a salt management strategy for their use. The hope is that salt management plans will address growing concerns about the effect road salt has on our environment and at the same time, continue to provide for road safety by better managing a Citys use of salt. Salt Management plans are designed to minimize the amount of salt entering the environment by including best salt handling practices, and using new technologies to ensure its most effective use over the road system. The report from EC led to ongoing research into the use of salt alternatives. However, salt continues to be the most cost-effective de-icer across Canada. Many salt management plans require that new technologies be investigated and trials conducted on promising developments. Provided below are some basic ideas for beginning a salt management plan. Guiding Principles of a Salt Management Plan: Safety Environmental Protection Continual development Fiscal responsibilities Efficient Transportation Systems Accountability Measurable Progress Agency Based Communication

Framework for a plan: Salt management policy and objectives Review of current practices Documentation of policies, procedures and guidelines Proposed approaches, including best management practices and assigned responsibilities Education Monitoring, Reporting and Analysis Management Review Developing a Plan For additional information on how to develop a salt management plan for your municipality, log onto the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC):
http://www.tac-atc.ca/products/briefing/saltmgmtplan.pdf http://www.tac-atc.ca/english/pdf/saltprimer.pdf

CPWA is currently collecting salt management plans from municipalities in Canada. Municipal Salt Management Plans: The Salt Institute (www.saltinsititute.org) has training materials available on their web site. City of Toronto, Ontario
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/transportation/snow/index.htm