By Shane Goodman shane@dmcityview.com

Safe streets or a safe environment?

Last week’s winter weather was treacherous. A simple look in the ditches off the freeways and interstates is a visual reminder of how slippery the roads can get. The City of Des Moines and the State of Iowa road crews made incredible efforts to lessen the danger by applying large amounts of salt brine and rock salt. But there is a trade-off for this safety.

We realize that applying salt to roads reduces ice and makes our streets — and those of us driving on them — safer. But at an application rate of 800 pounds of rock salt per mile of road, we must ask: what are the long-term environmental implications? In an average year, more than 3,000 tons of rock salt are applied in Des Moines. On state highways, that number is closer to 100,000. That’s a lot of salt.

This week’s cover story explores the salt issue, sharing interesting facts and examples of what other states are doing. Reporter Sean J. Miller takes a look at studies showing how the spread of large amounts of chloride has killed trees, contaminated water supplies and negatively affected wildlife. And we all know what it can do to our cars.

Miller reports on efforts the states of California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Oregon are making to restrict the use of rock salt on their roads and highways and what alternative sources are now being used. But, as the story reports, there are trade-offs, as these options are more expensive and have not proven to be as effective or as efficient as rock salt. And the environmental concerns are unclear, to say the least.

But dropping the use of salt could create even more environmental problems, as officials point out. Each vehicle accident is a mini-environmental disaster in itself, with motor oil and anti-freeze spilling into storm drains.

Officials claim that the best option for today is to minimize salt usage. And we think they are right, but we, too, appreciate the ability to navigate safely. And we know that rock salt works.

Thanks for reading.

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