Salt is a serious threat to streams, lakes and rivers in the Upper Mississippi Basin. Salt breaks down into sodium and chloride, which moves freely through soil and builds up in water bodies. What can be done? On August 15, the League of Women Voters of the Upper Mississippi River Region will host panelists from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin to discuss programs in these states.

Register to attend this virtual meeting.

Once salt goes down on roads or sidewalks, it doesn't go away. Salt levels are rising in lakes, streams, and rivers in Illinois. Overuse of salt during the winter can damage our built and natural environments. We can protect our natural resources and reduce road salt without sacrificing safety. Working towards better practices is a multi-faceted endeavor.

Programs like the Salt Smart Collaborative, a program of The Conservation Foundation, encourage the use of Salt Smart practices in winter maintenance operations. Salt Smart practices are the best practices for winter maintenance operations that reduce salt use and provide safe surfaces. Resources (like workshops and trainings, the Salt Smart Certified program, and targeted outreach materials) are made available through the Salt Smart Collaborative to transportation agencies, municipalities, park districts, and private contractors to encourage and support the adoption of the best practices for salt use. 

This event on August 15 will help us to build our understanding on this important topic in water quality! Our speakers will be Hannah Miller, Watershed Program Manager with The Conservation Foundation in Illinois; Allison Madison, Manager of the Wisconsin Salt Wise Program; and Brooke Aslesen, Watershed Specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  This panel will share information on salt managment programs in their respective states, which will provide a background for understanding this topic.