Draft 2025 Salt Management Plan approved for Bracebridge - Hunters Bay Radio

chloride concentrations have increased in 29% of the lakes sampled by the District and by 15-fold in Lake Muskoka since 1970

Bracebridge General Committee approved a new draft 2025 Salt Management Plan, in the August 5, 2025, meeting.

Although since 2004 Towns that use more than 500 tonnes of road salt each year have been required to report to Environment Canada annually about their intentions and to have a salt management plan, other issues have come to light.

Last May the town learned about concerns of the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed (FOTMW) about the impacts of salt usage in the area, as a part of their “Salty Muskoka” initiative.

It was reported that “chloride concentrations have increased by at least 0.5mg/L in 80 of 274 (29%) of the lakes sampled by the District of Muskoka between 2018 and 2022, and by 15-fold in Lake Muskoka since 1970.”

They added that according to a leader in global research on the impacts of road salt on lakes, Scientist at Queens University, Dr. Shelley Amott, determined “in Muskoka Lakes, some important aquatic organisms are negatively affected at chloride exposure levels as low as 10mg/L, far below the 120mg/L long-germ chronic exposure guideline.”

They continued that “roughly one quarter of lakes sampled by the District Municipality of Muskoka now have chloride levels above 10mg/L.”

According to the staff report, “Over the past 5 years, the Town has used approximately 1,070 tonnes of salt annually on municipal roads and sidewalks.”

Council contributed $5,000 to the FOTMW to help support their ongoing efforts towards road salt usage and committed to making ongoing changes for the Town.

Deputy Mayor, Brenda Rhodes, said the FOTMW is working hard providing information to the public at festivals and events “promoting that cup of salt and not a lot,” for usage.

Today Committee approved the Town’s Salt Usage Management Plan that outlined some key goals towards making ongoing improvements to manage the amount of salt used without compromising road safety.

Key goals include implementing “best practices” regarding salt storage, application and disposal, establishing and enforcing a clear policy statement, and conducting ongoing reviews of current practices, including an annual review of practices used and 5-year updates.

Initiatives will also include staff and contractor training, ensuring that vendors used for winter maintenance are informed about the impacts of road salt on the environment and Town policies regarding salt usage.

The Town is also required to provide a report on salt usage to Environment Canada on an annual basis.

Mayor, Rick Maloney, expressed a commitment to ensuring the town is “being environmentally responsible when it comes to our road network.”

He said, “It needs everybody on board,” and emphasized the importance of municipalities educating the public and contractors that apply road salt on private properties and suggested they can work with the District and area municipalities on it.

Councillor, Barb McMurray, said that it’s also important to educate kids about the impacts.

Staff will continue to monitor, provide training, and adhere to the best practices.