Winter Salt Awareness Week: January 22-26, 2024
REGISTER HERE to join the YouTube livestreams of area experts diving into #thetruecostofsalt on our drinking water, freshwater ecosystems, and how you can be a freshwater advocate in your community.
Livestreams run from 12:30-1pm CT. After the event, they will remain available on our YouTube channel.
MONDAY - Salt Pollution Trends in our Lakes and Rivers
Hilary Dugan, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Long-term data, collected across the country, show that lakes and rivers are getting saltier. How fresh is our freshwater? What are the sources driving these changes? What can be done?
TUESDAY - Salt: An Environmental Justice Contaminant
Sawyer Bailey, Adirondack Action
Winter salt pollution is often discussed as a predominantly ecological issue, but salty drinking water has real impacts on human health. The unequal consequences of those impacts have environmental justice implications that must be understood.
WEDNESDAY - Ecological Consequences of Salting our Freshwater
Bill Hintz, University of Toledo
Road salts are changing the ecology of our freshwater. What are the direct and indirect impacts of salt? Are current standards biologically protective?
THURSDAY - From Pathways to Highways: Tribal Perspectives
Bill Quackenbush, Ho-Chunk Nation, and Jeremy Weso, Menominee Nation
Ancient travel routes between tribal communities were first transformed into pioneer trails. Fast forward to the roadways we use today. Bill will discuss how the continued use of road salt has affected areas of tribal interest. Jeremy will profile the financial and technical challenges of trying to reduce salt usage as the Menominee County Highway Commissioner.
FRIDAY - Winter Ops that Reduce Salt Use
Laura Fay, Western Transportation Institute, Montana State University
Across the country, agencies are keeping roads safe and passable while reducing the amount of salt coming out of the back of their trucks. Learn about these proven winter maintenance practices and embrace the future of winter maintenance.