By Paul Bean
A new Senate bill tackles chloride contamination to regulate road-salt usage. Road salt has been a growing concern in Vermont because contamination affects local waterways, wildlife, and infrastructure.
S.29, was introduced January 29 by the entire Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, and will “establish a Chloride Contamination Reduction Program for the education, training, and certification of commercial salt applicators and municipal salt applicators in the State, including requirements for certification of a master commercial salt applicator.”
The bill also classifies a difference between “commercial” applyers and municipal suppliers. Both will be required to adhere to the program.
The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of road salt while also aiming to save money for municipalities and contractors by optimizing salt usage. Over the last 30 years, chloride levels in Vermont’s waterways have more than doubled.
“Rising chloride levels pose a threat to the long-term health of our waterways,” said Dept of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Jason Batchelder in a press release last February. “Our department is committed to supporting efforts that reduce excess salt use in a way that protects both public safety and our environment,” Batchelder said.
“Across Vermont, chloride has been found to persist in water bodies – raising concerns about the long-term impacts of chloride pollution,” the press release continued. “Studies have shown that excess chloride can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems. The Department of Environmental Conservation will continue to monitor the problem, take necessary regulatory action, and support a multi-faceted approach to address chloride pollution in coordination with stakeholders.”
This bill also includes a provision that seeks to estimate how much salt was applied between the years 2015- 2025 in the months between October and April, and to develop a publicly accessible record keeping database system for salt purchases and applications within Vermont.
The education program would include instruction on the best management practices that will set standards on increasing the use and efficiency of salt alternatives and establish how and when salt can and should be applied. However, a significant portion of chloride pollution comes from unregulated private salting at people’s homes and businesses.
See all bills assigned to this committee here. Constituents may contact committee members (click link on name for bio, party affiliation, etc.) with comments, questions and information at the following email addresses:
Anne Watson, Washington County, Chair, awatson@leg.state.vt.us
Terry Williams, Rutland, Vice Chair, Twilliams@leg.state.vt.us
Ruth Hardy, Addison, rhardy@leg.state.vt.us
Seth Bongartz, Bennington, sbongartz@leg.state.vt.us
Scott Beck, Caledonia, sbeck@leg.state.vt.us
All committee transcripts are available at www.goldendomevt.com. Committee meeting video available at the committee’s YouTube channel. The committee meets in the morning in Room 8.