DEC Seeks Participants for New Online Survey About Winter Rock Salt Use

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar is encouraging participation in a new survey to help better understand typical rock salt use by New Yorkers and public awareness regarding the potential environmental and health impacts of salt overuse. Results of the survey will help DEC tailor future outreach and education to help reduce overuse of rock salt on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks.

"DEC is working with State and local partners to implement the Adirondack Road Salt Task Force's recommendations and explore ways to balance safety with the protection of public health and sensitive ecosystems," Interim Commissioner Mahar said. "This short survey will help DEC learn more about how New Yorkers use rock salt at their homes, businesses, municipal buildings, and other properties to help target effective outreach and meet salt reduction goals to protect lands and waters."

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "The application of road salt is a delicate balance between keeping our roadways safe and protecting the environment, and the Department of Transportation is always refining its approach. We appreciate our partners at the Department of Environmental Conservation for assessing the use of salt beyond the state highway system, the results of which will help further educate all New Yorkers on how we can work to further protect our environment and our state's natural resources."

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "We encourage New Yorkers to take this survey so that we can better understand how rock salt is being used which will help further inform us on future educational efforts and reduce the use of rock salt." The Department of Health looks forward to continuing our work with DEC and other State partners as climate change continues to push us to explore new ways to help protect the health of our communities and the environment."

Although applying rock salt on roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks helps to ensure the safety of those traveling by vehicle or foot, overuse of salt can degrade infrastructure and contaminate runoff that enters streams and waterbodies.

In 2023, the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force completed a comprehensive review of rock salt contamination and road salt application best management practices within the Adirondack Park. The findings and recommendations of the Task Force, while originally focused on the Adirondacks, are applicable statewide.

The survey launched today is helping fulfill one of the Task Force report's recommendations to develop a public education and outreach campaign that encourages New Yorkers to manage rock salt use effectively and safely. Survey responses can help DEC better understand perceptions surrounding rock salt usage and make appropriate recommendations for reduction strategies that can be applied throughout New York.

The public can submit feedback. The survey can be filled out on a smartphone, tablet, or computer and will remain open until Nov. 1, 2024.

DEC is committed to protecting New York's waters and recently pledged up to $15 million to help protect water quality by promoting proper salt storage and application, fulfilling another recommendation of the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force. The funding is part of up to $215 million in grant funding made available through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program, a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program that supports implementation projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source.

For additional information and resources, visit DEC's Rock Salt Reduction webpage.