The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has recently updated and redesigned our Smart Salting Tool (SST) to help communities and organizations across the state evaluate the sources of chloride impacting them along with an abundance of information and resources on how to address those sources.
 This redesigned chloride reduction tool still provides winter maintenance organizations the opportunity to evaluate their operations for improved efficiency and reduced salt use, with the option to obtain their Level 2 Smart Salting certification. But now our SST can help support communities with all sources of chloride making it the first and only comprehensive chloride reduction tool. Some of the key new features of the SST include:
- Mapping feature to select specific geographic area for customized evaluation of chloride sources
- Detailed information for each source of chloride
- Guidance for how to collect additional information and data
- Option to modify our estimated chloride contributions with local data and information
- Develop a chloride reduction Action Plan for your community/organization
- Assist with MPCA permit reporting requirements related to chloride
Create a free account and check it out today: https://smartsaltingtool.com
All organizations will benefit from utilizing this comprehensive chloride reduction tool, and those organizations with an NPDES permit with the MPCA will find additional value in utilizing the Smart Salting Tool in their efforts to meet chloride related permit requirements.
Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota is an initiative developed in 2022 by the Hennepin County Chloride Initiative (HCCI), a collaboration between multiple watershed districts, watershed organizations, and cities in Hennepin County with support from the county and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The team worked closely with a Minnesota marketing firm to perform interviews, develop a brand, and design materials. The primary goal of the effort was to provide a toolbox that local units of government (LGUs) may use during conversations with local residents, businesses, and property managers about best practices related to winter maintenance.
The program includes a toolbox intended for LGU staff to utilize to support direct contact and site-specific advice in an effective way to change behavior related to winter salt use. Materials include a presentation, videos, recruitment templates, conversation starters and handouts. This can be used for a variety of audiences; however the targeted audience is property managers, homeowners/townhome associations and faith-based communities. As Fall approaches now is a great time to check out and utilize these materials to work with organizations in your community to reduce chloride use without a reduction in safety!
Check out this Star Tribune coverage: 'Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota' targets private contractors to cut chloride pollution (startribune.com)
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As the summer season is winding down, now is a great time to plan for attending a Smart Salting training. The MPCA's Smart Salting program offers several certification trainings and workshops for a wide range of audiences, we have something for everyone!
If you are an MS4 permittee, one way to meet the chloride training requirements is to have your winter maintenance staff, or those you contract for winter maintenance, attend an appropriate MPCA Smart Salting training class each year. The Smart Salting training classes also touch on some of the other chloride requirements in the 2020 MS4 General Permit. This may include resources for community education and outreach, written snow and ice management policy examples, proper deicing salt storage practices, and additional measures for permittees subject to a chloride TMDL, as well as practical and technical information for better application and maintenance practices.
For hands on winter maintenance staff & supervisors we suggest:
Smart Salting for Roads Certification - 5 year certification
- Thursday, September 14 (online) Register HERE
- Tuesday, September 19 (Minneapolis, MN) Register HERE
- Tuesday, September 19 (Cottage Grove, MN) Register HERE
- Thursday, October 19 (online) Register HERE
Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks Certification - 5 year certification
- Thursday, September 28 (online) Register HERE
- Tuesday, October 10 (Minneapolis, MN) Register HERE
- Wednesday, October 25 (Rosemount, MN) Register HERE
- Thursday, October 26 (online) Register HERE
- Wednesday, November 1 (Chanhassen, MN) Register HERE
Watch the MPCA Smart Salting Training for Winter Maintenance Professionals video to hear from maintenance pros that are now using less salt and still offering a high level of service!
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For property managers, environmental professionals and advocates, business owners, MS4 and Wastewater permit staff we offer:
Smart Salting for Property Management Certification - 3 year certification
- Tuesday, August 29 (online) Register HERE
- Wednesday, October 11 (online) Register HERE
- Tuesday, November 14 (online) Register HERE
To learn more about what this training offers watch our MPCA Smart Salting training for property management video.
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Find upcoming classes and register on the MPCA's Smart Salting Training Calendar.
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Questions about the Smart Salting training program? Email smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
Support for the MPCA Smart Salting Training Program comes from Clean Water Land & Legacy funds.
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MPCA has been creating training refreshers to include in our Smart Salting Certification & Training program to continue to offer new content and training opportunities for our training participants and MS4 permitees.
Smart Salting Refreshers are available to those that have a current Smart Salting Certification. Participants in these refreshers will learn about the impacts of salt on the environment and take a deeper look into specific topic areas like winter weather tools, snow & salt storage, liquid deicers and more.
These 3-hour online refreshers provide a proof of attendance with completion of the evaluation at the end of class. These refreshers are a great way to meet the MS4 permit annual chloride training requirements.
Weather for Winter Maintenance Refresher
Learn about a variety of winter weather prediction tools and how to use the information for improved maintenance and reduced environmental impacts.
- Tuesday, September 12 (online) Register HERE
NEW in 2023! Smart Salting Refresher: Salt & Snow Storage
Look at best practices of granular and liquid salt storage as well as proper snow storage to reduce snowmelt problems. Will also discuss the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit requirements in detail.
- Tuesday, September 26 (online) Register HERE
Smart Salting Refresher: 101
Overview of the Smart Salting Level 1 courses with a focus on MS4permit requirements and additional resources. Appropriate for roads/parking lots/sidewalk winter maintenance professionals.
- Tuesday, October 3 (online) Register HERE
NEW in 2023! Smart Salting Refresher: Liquid Deicer
Provides a closer look at liquids application, conditions, equipment maintenance, brine making and storage that provide winter maintenance crews a basis to understand benefits, troubleshoot issues and find opportunities for expansion of liquids.
- Tuesday, November 28 (online) Register HERE
Questions about these new refreshers or want to host a refresher for your crew at your shop? Email smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
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The Eco Experience is our huge exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair, filled with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and resources. Learn from experts about what you can do to help improve our air, land, water, and climate. This year we will have our remodeled Salt Dilemma display in the water quality area. We'd love to see you there! |
Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The MPCA provides zero-interest loans to small businesses (fewer than 100 full-time employees) for capital equipment purchases that meet or exceed environmental regulations.
Apply now for 0% interest! Benefits include an easy application process, flexible collateral options, and a long 7-year payback.
Loan terms and conditions:
- Loan amount between $1,000 and $75,000
- 0% interest rate
- Repayment term up to seven years
- Flexibility in the types of collateral accepted
- Awarded throughout the year
Many business sectors are eligible. Eligible projects that will reduce chloride and help protect Minnesota's water resources include but are not limited to:
- Brine making and application equipment
- Plow blade and broom technology
- Pavement temperature sensors
Applications and more information can be found at Small Business Environmental Improvement Loans | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us).
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With support from the MN GreenCorps program, the MPCA's Chloride Reduction Program is now offering workshops for local and state elected officials, members of sustainability and environmental commissions, board members of housing associations, neighborhood associations, or watershed districts, and other local decision makers.
Participants in these 2-hour, online workshops will learn about the impacts of chloride on the environment and infrastructure and be offered specific action steps and policies that can help reduce salt pollution in their communities.
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We are looking for partners to work with us to host a workshop. With support from the Minnesota GreenCorps program we are happy to offer this workshop to partners at no cost.
Email us to schedule a workshop for your community today! smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
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This is produced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Chloride Reduction Program. Contact smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us with editorial questions or requests.
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