As snow melts, Virginia lawmakers seek alternatives and awareness to road salt

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Two Virginia lawmakers have introduced legislation that aims to find alternatives for road salt and raise awareness about its environmental impact.

Environmental advocates say the salt used to keep drivers safe during winter storms doesn’t disappear once the ice melts. Instead, it washes into storm drains and streams before eventually flowing into waterways like the James River.

According to the James River Association, freshwater species such as fish and macroinvertebrates, are particularly vulnerable to rising salt levels.

“As the landscape drains, as snow and ice melt, it works its way as salt pulses into our creeks and streams where the local environment, those insects or fish and other wildlife, aren’t adapted to a saltwater environment,” said Tom Dunlap, the James Riverkeeper with the James River Association.

Dunlap monitors the health of the James River and says road salt runoff can reach waterways in concentrated bursts. He says its environmental impact can linger long after the roads are clear.

"Any time you’re adding something to the environment that wasn’t there in the first place, you have the potential for altering your environment to the negative," Dunlap said. "The environmental implications of adding road salt might not be necessarily apparent immediately. They might take weeks or months for their full consequences to be well understood,"

Concerns over salt pollution have recently prompted action by state lawmakers who recently introduced legislation aimed at raising awareness of road salt use and studying safer alternatives.

A resolution from Del. Kathy Tran (D) would designate the last week of January as “Winter Salt Week,” encouraging responsible salt use and public education about its environmental impacts.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 482, introduced by Sen. Danica Roem (D), directs the Virginia Department of Transportation to study alternatives to traditional sodium chloride road salt and assess their potential impacts on private property and the environment.

Dunlap said both measures are a step toward balancing safety and sustainability.

“Both these pieces of legislation are important in elevating the conversation about understanding the tradeoffs between using these roadway amendments and what their essential uses for public safety are, in contrast to what their environmental consequences might be as well,” he said.

He also noted that road salt use has increased significantly over the years, adding urgency to the conversation about alternatives and smarter road salting practice.

Dunlap said homeowners can also play a role in reducing pollution by limiting salt use on sidewalks and driveways. He recommends shoveling early, and using birdseed for traction.

More information on environmentally responsible winter practices can be found on the James River Association’s website. You can also test salt levels in your local waterways and track local water quality here.