Salting and Plowing Best Practices

Follow these standard best management practices that apply to all roadwork projects.

• Ensure salt and sand piles are properly managed and stored. Store salt in a covered facility. If salt or salt-sand mix is stored outside, establish a berm and cover the piles.
• Implement ongoing training for winter maintenance staff on salt application and storage best practices to maximize effectiveness and minimize environmental impact​.

During the summer, inspect sand or gravel piles for birds before disturbing or covering the piles.

• Salt only where necessary on critical sections of the roadways, such as inclines, intersections, crosswalks, etc.
• Plan and manage plow routes to avoid double salting areas​.
• Monitor weather events and time de-icing agents appropriately. Proactive anti-icing can reduce salt application. Promptly remove and dispose of any salt applied prior to a storm if the weather event passes.
• Select the right de-icing agent for the weather and road conditions (e.g., air and pavement temperature).
• Use non-chemical de-icing. Replace road salt with a mix of sand and granular materials which can improve traction without the use of chemicals.
• Use appropriate equipment for snow removal and de-icing application that minimizes the area and spread of anti-icing agents, such as precision application equipment.
• Identify salt vulnerable areas and implement targeted measures to avoid contamination. This includes avoiding runoff to sensitive areas and implementing buffer zones when needed​.
• Develop and implement a salt management plan, covering all operations, including storage, application, and snow disposal. Ensure personnel are aware of best practices for salt use and de-icing techniques.

• Select locations for snow piles away from watercourses and reptile overwintering habitats.
• Spread snow piles prior to snow melt in spring.
• Locate snow piles in an area with vegetation to help filter melt water in the spring prior to entering waterways.
• Ensure all debris and contaminants at snow pile sites are collected and properly disposed of following snow melt.

Develop and implement a water quality monitoring plan to track impacts on water systems from salt use.

Reduce snow drifts by revegetating roadsides with native grasses, and the right-of-way with trees and/or shrubs. This vegetation acts as effective barriers that trap snow.