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The opinions expressed in our new items and other published works are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smart About Salt Council (referred to as SASC) or its Directors, Officers, Volunteer, agents or staff.

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Information contained in our published works have been obtained by SASC from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither SASC nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither SASC nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in SASC publications.

  • 20 Dec 2011 9:30 AM | Colleen Brown

    In the latest issue of Ontario Good Roads Association's Milestones publication, read what is being done to help protect Ontario's drinking water as it relates to winter salt and how the Smart About Salt Program fits in.

    Click here for link to OGRA website

  • 15 Dec 2011 8:42 AM | Colleen Brown

    Bob Hodgins, Executive Director of the Smart about Salt Council, recently appeared on 570 News Radio's Gary Doyle show to discuss the importance of reducing salt use and businesses and contractors becoming Smart about Salt certified.

    Click here to listen to interview -Gary-Doyle_Smart_About_Salt_12-1_2011-12-12.mp3 

  • 13 Dec 2011 2:08 PM | Colleen Brown

    Landscape Ontario's Horticultural Review includes a regular column on the Smart About Salt program. The December 2011 issue talks about understanding the science behind salt and use of liquid solutions to treat for icy conditions.

    PDF of article

    Click here to read entire issue of Horticultural Review

     

  • 13 Dec 2011 1:53 PM | Colleen Brown

    The Waterloo Region Record newspaper writes an article on winter salt use.

    Snow-removal crews urged to hold the salt

    Across Waterloo Region, there’s an army looking up at the skies, at their thermometers and down at the ground.

    The troops often fight throughout long winter nights, leaving roads and parking lots cleared of snow and sprinkled with rock salt by early morning.

    Snow removal contractors are loaded with stocks of sodium chloride and are ready to do battle. And in recent years, some of them have learned how to get more bang for their buck while using less salt.

    Read entire article at http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/636583

  • 05 Dec 2011 9:31 AM | Colleen Brown

    The November/December 2011 issue of the Grand River Conservation Authority GRAND Actions newsletter includes an article on the Smart about Salt program and the importance of managing our salt use.

    Click here to read article found on page 2 of newsletter.

  • 30 Nov 2011 11:29 AM | Deleted user

    November 29th, Ottawa -

    Councillor Steve Desroches; Bob Hodgins, Smart about Salt; Tony DiGiovanni, Landscape Ontario; and Dean Karakasis, BOMA after a successful Smart About Salt Summit.

    The City of Ottawa hosted a Smart About Salt Summit on November 29th to foster greater public and private partnerships in promoting efficient salt use in the City. The City is working in partnership with local public and private sector organizations, local snow removal contractors and other key stakeholders, to move forward with salt management best practices as a means of protecting the environment and being fiscally responsible.

    “The City is committed to being an environmental leader and steward through the adoption of innovative ways of reducing the amount of rock salt spread over the winter season,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “We are pleased to be working in collaboration with other jurisdictions to make smart choices about how and when we use salt to improve safety, while ensuring our actions are in the best interests of our residents and the environment.”

    The Smart About Salt Summit brought together public and private sector groups, Smart About Salt Council, Landscape Ontario and the Ontario Good Roads Association, to discuss best salt management practices and the City’s ongoing work to  be better at managing the use of de-icing chemical on its roads, parking lots and sidewalks. The event was widely attended with representation from local colleges, universities and school boards, the National Capital Commission, the federal and provincial government, commercial real estate and the snow removal contracting industry.

    “Salt is a necessary tools for keeping our roads and sidewalks clear of ice during the winter, but excessive use of this important resource can lead to negative impacts on our environment,” said Councillor Steve Desroches. “By implementing smart salt practices, we will not only achieve environmental benefits, but also reduce winter maintenance costs and extend the capital life of our infrastructure.”

    John Manconi, General Manager of Public Works for the City outlined how the City has significantly optimized how it uses salt on winter roads and sidewalks to minimize the effects of salt on the local environment while maintaining safety. He explained how the City has had many of its internal staff that maintains City facilities take the Smart About Salt training and their plans to implement the program at 5 city facilities.

    “As responsible members of the community, we at BOMA recognize the need to take a leadership role in advocating for smart rock salt usage amongst our members as a means of protecting our environment and the people we serve,” said Dean Karakasis, Executive Director of the Building Owners and Managers Association, Ottawa Chapter. “We are pleased to work closely with the City on this worthwhile initiative.”

    Tony DiGiovanni, Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, speaking on behalf of the contracting industry said: “Landscape Ontario is endorsing the Smart About Salt program for 5 interconnected reasons: 1) the program raises the level of professionalism within our sector; 2) the program begins the process of encouraging standardization; 3) the program promotes environmental stewardship; 4) the program promotes safe operations and risk management; and 5) the program will give Smart About Salt Certified contractors a competitive edge where clients require SAS Accreditation.

    Brian Stratton of the Mississippi-Rideau Source Water Protection Region explained the Ontario-wide initiative to protect Ontario’s drinking water from contaminants including road salts. He explained how they are developing policies that draw on the Smart About Salt Program to help protect vulnerable drinking water sources in the Region.

    “I congratulate the City of Ottawa for its leadership in promoting public safety and environmental stewardship by hosting the Smart About Salt summit, and look forward to working with the City and the many attendees to implement the program,” says Bob Hodgins, Executive Director of the Smart About Salt Council.
  • 16 Nov 2011 8:39 PM | Deleted user

    On September 28th, 2011, Ottawa City Council passes the following motion brought forward by the Transportation committee.

    That Council approve that the City of Ottawa continues to illustrate environmental leadership and stewardship by:

     

    a. working closely with the provincial Smart About Salt Council;

    b. adopting staff training programs to encourage smart salt practices for city parking lots and public facilities;

    c. phasing in a requirement for City contractors to be certified in smart salt usage;

    d. hosting a public-private Smart Salt Summit in the Fall of 2011 to share best practices in salt management with BOMA and other local public institutions;

    e. providing information for residents on the City website for smart salt usage for residents and private property.

    The Smart About Salt Council has been working with the City on pilot projects at City facilities and on a Smart About Summit to be held at City Hall later this month.

    Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches, who lead the motion to bring Smart About Salt to the City, will chair the summit directed at finding ways to further enhance the City's salt management efforts.

    The Smart About Salt Council in partnership with BOMA Ottawa held a training course in Ottawa on November 9th that was well attended with representatives from the City, local contractors and facility managers.

  • 16 Nov 2011 3:53 PM | Colleen Brown

    Landscape Ontario's Horticultural Review includes a regular column on Smart About Salt. The November 2011 issue talks about ways to be proactive to reduce ice buildup from water run off and snow melt.

    PDF of article

    Click here to read entire issue of Horticultural Review

     

  • 16 Nov 2011 3:41 PM | Colleen Brown

    Landscape Ontario's Horticultural Review includes a regular column on Smart About Salt. The October 2011 issue includes information on contract requiring contractors to be Smart About Salt certified.

    PDF of article

    Click here to read entire issue of Horticultural Review

  • 04 Oct 2011 8:41 PM | Deleted user
    The Ontario Good Roads Association has championed good salt management on municipal roads over the past decade. It is also supportive of the Smart About Salt program as the logical next step for municipalities in their efforts to manage the total amount of road salt they use. Read the Milestones Article.

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