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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

T-36-S-a

Halton Region, Hamilton Region

Low, Moderate, Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MTO - Salt

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Future & Existing

Implemented

There are various components to this policy including Specify Action, Research and Pilot Programs. Each component has a its own implementation status as follows: T-36-S (Specify Action): Implemented T-36-S (Research): In progress/some progress made T-36-S (Pilot Program): In progress/some progress made RESPONSE to Question (Specify Action): Contractors working on the provincial highway network are required to conform to the Salt Management Plan. Training is provided annually before the start of the winter season to all of MTO’s maintenance contractors. The MTO provincial Salt Management Plan contains best management practices to ensure application rate, timing and location of salt to reduce the potential for salt-related surface water run-off and groundwater infiltration. MTO ensures the Salt Management Plan meets the objectives of Environment Canada's Code of Practice for Environmental Management of Road Salts. The MTO Salt Management Plan ensures the best available winter maintenance practices are implemented to ensure safe driving conditions on the provincial highway network, and consideration is given to local environmental protection including drinking water sources. Road salt best management practices have been developed by government and industry, primarily through the Transportation Association of Canada's Syntheses of Best Practices: Road Salt Management framework, and Environment and Climate Change Canada's Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts. The best management practices typically included in a Road Salt Management Plan are proven and science-based. MTO’s best management practices for the environmental management of road salt include use of: •Road and Weather Information Stations for monitoring and forecasting winter weather and highway conditions in order to apply the right amount of salt at the right times. •Pre-wetted/pre-treated road salt and direct liquid application to increase the efficiency of the de-icing agent and reduce the amount of road salt applied to the surface. •Electronic spreader controls to ensure the right amount of de-icing agent is applied for the local conditions. MTO continually reviews standards, new technology, equipment and materials to optimize winter maintenance practices. Maintenance operations have evolved significantly over time. New technology, such as the Road and Weather Information Stations, are used to predict winter storms and assist with planning and deploying maintenance equipment and materials. New products such as pre-wetted salt and equipment innovations like automatic spreader controllers enhance the effectiveness of operations and decrease environmental impacts. The MTO Salt Management Plan was updated in April 2017. It is consistent with the Environment Canada Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts, the Transportation Association of Canada Salt Management Guide and Syntheses of Best Practices, and the MTO Maintenance Standards Specifications and associated standards are appropriately referred to and up -to-date. The Salt Management Plan includes measures that protect water sources from the impacts of road salt through implementation of best salt management practices, opportunities for innovation and technology, and consideration of salt vulnerable areas when implementing strategies for reducing salt impacts. A copy of the MTO updated Salt Management Plan was distributed to all Source Water Protection organizations.

Policy Text:

To seek collaboration on the use of best practices for the application of road salt on Provincial roads where this activity could be a significant, moderate or low drinking water threat,

a. the Ministry of Transportation and their supporting de-icing contractors are requested to continue the proactive implementation of their salt management plans and to continue the use of best management practices within wellhead protection areas and intake protection zones.

Monitoring Text:

N/A