In 2010, GMCG hosted a training for road agents and municipal officials on Road Salt Reduction. Due to popularity, we are offering it again on October 28th.
Background: The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) reports that over 30 waterbodies in the state are now impaired due to chlorides from road salt. Over the past ten years, GMCG’s water quality monitoring has shown a handful of sites in the Ossipee Watershed with elevated chloride levels. Michelle Daley, a research scientist at UNH and partner to the GMCG Water Quality Monitoring program noted that “in some places, salt concentrations are higher than those found in the seacoast region of the state where ocean water plays a larger role.” Her research on the Ossipee Watershed’s water quality data, along with that of the Lamprey River Watershed, shows that in many parts of the state, chloride levels exceed state standards even during the summer due to chloride-saturated groundwater.
Who Should Attend? GMCG will partner with the UNH Technology Transfer Center (UNH T2) to provide a training on October 28th at the Ossipee Town Hall 8:30 AM-2 PM. The purpose of the “Road Salt Reduction Training” is to discuss the influences that winter maintenance has on the environment and some ways to mitigate these impacts. The training is for Department of Public Works and DOT directors and staff, road agents, town engineers, transportation planners, planning board members, conservation commissioners, and others interested in how they can reduce the use of road salt in winter road maintenance. The workshop will also introduce attendees to road salt alternatives and their pros and cons in terms of effectiveness and environmental impact.
The Instructor: Steve Gray will be the instructor for this training. Gray is a former NHDOT state maintenance engineer with over 35 years experience and has taught this class since its creation in 2009. Among the topics that he will cover are: the importance of winter operations; challenges to highway departments; salt reduction techniques; de-icing chemicals; snow disposal guidelines; winter maintenance policies and liability; record keeping; environmental concerns; and new technology.
Credits: This program is a UNH T2 Center Roads Scholar Training Activity with 5 Environmental Hours. The workshop is eligible for Professional Development Hours (PDH’s), as well as Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Registration Information: GMCG will offer five free spots for municipal officials on a first come first serve basis—one per town. Participants can register online at www.t2.unh.edu/training, or by contacting 800-423-0060 or t2.center@unh.edu. Cost is $45 for municipal workers and $60.00 for private contractors and others and includes instruction, materials, refreshments, and lunch. Funding for this workshop is made possible by NH DES, Adelard and Valeda Lea Roy Foundation and Little Family Foundation.