“Lake George Model” for road salt use is the way to go

As noted in the editorial “Salt report is weak sauce,” Sept. 14, communities around Lake George are reducing road salt use — to great effect. Thanks to the Lake George Road Salt Reduction Initiative, led by the Lake George Association and Lake George Waterkeeper in partnership with municipalities, as much as 50 percent less road salt is hitting our roads and finding its way into groundwater, streams and the lake itself. This keeps our roads safe while protecting our environment and saving taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars every year.

It’s not just a matter of putting down less salt. Technology and timing are key. Before storms, liquid brine (essentially diluted salt water) is sprayed on roads to prevent snow from bonding with the pavement, making it much easier to scrape the roads clean. Trucks are equipped with Live-edge plows, which conform with the contours of the road, removing snow more effectively from the surface than traditional plows to prevent ice from forming. This reduces the need for salt.

The cabs of the plow trucks are equipped with Gps-linked technologies that record the temperature at the surface of the roads and track each truck’s salt application rates. Video cameras in the cabs and along roads provide a real-time look at conditions and how effectively these practices are working.

Most important is the commitment of the highway departments and plow operators, who have become our greatest ambassadors, especially at our annual Adirondack Champlain Regional Salt Summit. We invite everyone interested in learning more about the Lake George Model to join our Eighth Annual Summit on Oct. 3, online or at Fort William Henry Hotel.

Eric Siy Lake George President, Lake George Association

Chris Navitsky Lake George Lake George waterkeeper