Watershed News

Salt Workshop

Thirty-eight snow plow drivers from the cities of Brooklyn Center (2), Crystal (2), Hassan (1), Minneapolis (1), New Hope (6), Osseo (2), Plymouth (20) and Robbinsdale (4) attended the Salt Workshop for Public Snow Plow Operators at the Plymouth Ice Center Community Room on November 17, 2009. The four hour workshop was followed by the Level 1 Snow and Ice Control Best Practices certification exam. The class was led by Connie Fortin and Tom Broadbent of Fortin Consulting. The Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission co-hosted the event and provided continental breakfast and boxed lunches.

Attendees were instructed on the impact of over-usage of salt and sand as de-icers on Minnesota roadways to local lakes, streams and rivers. By using guideline formulas for calculating the correct amount of salt needed for a given area and regular calibration testing of equipment snow plow operators can reduce the excess nutrients going into the waterways.

Eighty-two percent of the individuals who attended indicated the class was useful to them, while only 3.7% indicated it was not useful. Barriers to improving their snow and ice practices included budget, equipment, storage and safety. Many noted that their cities have no budgets for overtime. They indicated the public and their city councils want clear roads and are not well-informed about salt issues. Seventy-four percent believe they will be able to reduce the environmental impacts of their winter maintenance activities as a result of attending this class and their cities can save money by implementing some of the practices discussed. They also recommended offering this class to city councils and management. View complete survey results.