Residents urge council to reduce excessive road salt use impacting local waterways

Concerns over excessive road salt usage took center stage at the Sterling Heights City Council meeting on December 17, 2024. Resident Miss Nious voiced her frustration regarding the heavy application of salt on local roads, particularly after a light snowfall. She highlighted the environmental impact, noting that the salt runoff could harm the freshwater ecosystem, including Lake St. Clair and the Great Lakes.

Nious pointed out that while priority roads received significant salting, untreated roads showed no dampness, questioning the necessity of such extensive salt application. She expressed her discontent with the practice of salting not just the roads but also sidewalks and driveways, which she believes contributes to pollution in local waterways.

Referencing a winter magazine article that advocated for reduced salt use to improve water quality, Nious urged the council to adopt more sustainable winter maintenance practices. She suggested that a single pass of salt down the center of the road would suffice, rather than the excessive back-and-forth application that leads to salt accumulation on lawns and in waterways.

The discussion reflects growing community concern over environmental stewardship and the need for more responsible road maintenance practices. As the council moves forward, residents will be watching closely to see if their feedback leads to changes in policy regarding winter road treatment.