Green SnowPro Certification Presenter: Amy Begnoche University of New Hampshire Technology Transfer Center
The Most Challenging Season!
Safety is Priority #1
What is Green SnowPro? Introduction A Program to mitigate chloride pollution of watersheds (lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater) in New Hampshire through the reduction of salt used in winter maintenance.
Why New Hampshire? Introduction Studies done for the expansion of I 93 in NH showed excessive levels of chloride in the watersheds. Similar issues exist in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and likely every state that uses salt for snow and ice removal. Relevance to Maine and other States Indicator of where industry will self regulate Raises awareness of impact of salt on the environment particularly freshwater resources, and infrastructure assets pavement, bridges, parking structures etc.
Corrosion Tree Roots Source: www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/p/plant_root.html
Corrosion Affects Everything
I 93 Chloride Mitigation Project Southern NH I 93 Corridor Derry Londonderry Salem Windham Tasks: GIS Modeling & Analysis Salt Usage Defaults Winter Maintenance Practices Research Training & Certification Parameter Identification & Data Collection Management System Data Collection
Principals: Dr. Charles Goodspeed and Patrick Santoso Salt Reduction Documents Development with NH DES of NH Salt Reduction BMP s Development of Municipal Salt Reduction Plans for 4 named Towns NH Green SnowPro Certification Green Snow Pro Program adopted by NHDES Legislation passed by State Salt Reduction Training Development of Green SnowPro Training Program Marketing, branding & logo development Development of Salt Accounting online database cems.unh.edu 2013 EPA Environmental Merit Award: Patrick Santoso
Technology Transfer Center Too Much Material?
Pavement Temp. ( F) and Trend ( ) Weather Condition Road Application Rates Maintenance Actions Salt Prewetted/Pretreat ed with salt brine Application Rate (lbs/per lane mile) Salt Prewetted/Pretreat ed with other blends Dry salt Winter sand >30 Snow Plow, treat intersections only 150 125 150 Not recommended Frz. Rain Apply chemical 175 150 200 Not recommended Snow Plow and apply chemical 175 150 200 Not recommended 30 Frz. Rain Apply chemical 200 175 225 Not recommended Snow Plow and apply chemical 200 175 225 Not recommended 25 30 Frz. Rain Apply chemical 225 200 225 275 Not recommended 25 30 Snow Plow and apply chemical 250 200 275 Not recommended Frz. Rain Apply chemical 275 250 275 300 450
NH Statutes NH RSA 489 C RSA 489 C establishes a voluntary program for the certification of commercial road salt applicators in order to encourage more efficient winter maintenance of roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks and to provide certain liability protections for certified commercial applicators and landowners whose premises are maintained by certified commercial applicators. NH RSA 508:22 No commercial applicator shall be liable for damages arising from insufficiencies or hazards on any premises owned, occupied, maintained, or operated by them when such hazards are caused solely by snow or ice, and the commercial applicator s delay in removing or mitigating such hazards is the result of its implementation of best management practices published by the department of transportation and the department of environmental services
Ongoing Projects Monitor current and future cases brought to Courts under the relevant statutes. Work with NH DES and NH DOT to keep the Best Management Practices and Administrative rules current and up to date with current studies. Spread the word: Currently working with Maine and Vermont agencies to implement some or all parts of the program Presentations given to all New England states, Nevada, Minnesota and others through SIMA, various conferences and multiple webinars Educate everyone in the LTAP community regarding the Program Work with insurance companies to make them aware of the lack of liability NH Salt Symposium 4 th Symposium held last September with just under 200 people in attendance P
Training Green Snow Pro Voluntary Certification Process Requires Initial Training (5+ hours) and a test Continuing Education (2 hours every 2 years) Annual salt usage reporting (total quantity, and square feet/town) Statistics: First Workshop regarding Salt Reduction was held on October 15, 2009 67 Workshops held to date Over 1,875 individuals trained Over 300 individuals currently certified through DES P
Snow, Salt & The 5 Stages of Grief
Denial Salt Problem? There isn t a salt problem! We re saving lives here! Safety First Comes FIRST!
Anger I m not going to risk a lawsuit just to save a couple of fish!
Bargaining If you make these tree huggers go away I will never take out another mailbox!
Depression This is ridiculous! I can t control the weather! I can t risk a lawsuit! I can t control the guy doing 75 in Porsche during a storm!
Acceptance I can use less salt and maintain an appropriate level of service. P
Questions? Amy Begnoche LTAP Director UNH Technology Transfer Center 603 862 1362 amy.begnoche@unh.edu