balancing winter transportation safety needs and environmental priorities: the canadian experience...

Balancing Winter Balancing Winter Transportation Safety Needs Transportation Safety Needs and Environmental Priorities: and Environmental Priorities:

The Canadian ExperienceThe Canadian ExperiencePanelistsPanelists: Sandi Moser, Environment Canada; Sarah : Sandi Moser, Environment Canada; Sarah Wells, Transportation Association of Canada; Shael Wells, Transportation Association of Canada; Shael Gwartz, Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Gary Welsh, Gwartz, Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Gary Welsh, City of Toronto; Dick Hanneman, Salt Institute; City of Toronto; Dick Hanneman, Salt Institute; moderator: Wilf Nixon, University of Iowamoderator: Wilf Nixon, University of Iowa

http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/index.htm

http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/index.html

http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/index.html

Today’s PresentationToday’s Presentation

• Organization PerspectivesOrganization Perspectives– Sandi Moser, Environment CanadaSandi Moser, Environment Canada– Sarah Wells, Transportation Association of CanadaSarah Wells, Transportation Association of Canada– Shael Gwartz, Ontario Ministry of TransportationShael Gwartz, Ontario Ministry of Transportation– Gary Welsh, City of TorontoGary Welsh, City of Toronto– Dick Hanneman, Salt InstituteDick Hanneman, Salt Institute

• Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

• General Discussion and QuestionsGeneral Discussion and Questions

National PerspectiveNational Perspective

Sandi MoserSandi Moser

Environment CanadaEnvironment Canada

Environment Canada Environment Canada PerspectivePerspective

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 1999 (CEPA)(CEPA)

• Administered by Minister of Environment and Administered by Minister of Environment and Minister of HealthMinister of Health

• RequirementsRequirements– Establish Priority Substances List (PSL)Establish Priority Substances List (PSL)– Assess substances on PSLAssess substances on PSL– For substances that meet the criteria of “toxic” (s.64 For substances that meet the criteria of “toxic” (s.64

of CEPA), propose risk management instrument(s) of CEPA), propose risk management instrument(s) within 2 yearswithin 2 years

– Finalize instrument(s) within 18 monthsFinalize instrument(s) within 18 months


What are road salts?What are road salts?• Salts applied to roadways for maintenance such Salts applied to roadways for maintenance such

as deicing, anti-icing and dust suppressionas deicing, anti-icing and dust suppression• Substances assessed include:Substances assessed include:

– Inorganic chloride salts (NaCl, CaClInorganic chloride salts (NaCl, CaCl22, KCl, MgCl, KCl, MgCl22))

– Sodium ferrocyanide (anti-caking additive)Sodium ferrocyanide (anti-caking additive)


History – Risk AssessmentHistory – Risk Assessment• Ministers’ Expert Advisory Panel recommended Ministers’ Expert Advisory Panel recommended

25 substances (including road salts) be 25 substances (including road salts) be assessed under PSL2assessed under PSL2

• Environmental Resource Group (ERG) prepared Environmental Resource Group (ERG) prepared supporting documentation for assessmentsupporting documentation for assessment– ERG members from federal and provincial ERG members from federal and provincial

governments, academia, consulting firms and industrygovernments, academia, consulting firms and industry

• Draft assessment report published Aug 12, 2000 Draft assessment report published Aug 12, 2000 for public commentfor public comment

• Final assessment report published DecFinal assessment report published Dec 1, 2001 1, 2001


History – Environmental EffectsHistory – Environmental Effects• Wide range of impacts on:Wide range of impacts on:

– Freshwater ecosystems (groundwater/surface water)Freshwater ecosystems (groundwater/surface water)– SoilSoil– VegetationVegetation– WildlifeWildlife

• EC determined that in high concentrations, road EC determined that in high concentrations, road salts pose a risk to plants, animals and the salts pose a risk to plants, animals and the aquatic environmentaquatic environment


History – Risk Management (RM)History – Risk Management (RM)• Developed RM strategyDeveloped RM strategy• Consulted on RM objectives & instrumentsConsulted on RM objectives & instruments• Developed instrument (Code of Practice)Developed instrument (Code of Practice)• Published Code in Published Code in Canada GazetteCanada Gazette for 60-day for 60-day

comment period on Sept 20, 2003 (as required comment period on Sept 20, 2003 (as required by CEPA)by CEPA)

• Currently revising proposed CodeCurrently revising proposed Code


Next StepsNext Steps• Winter 2004Winter 2004

– Finalize CodeFinalize Code– Work with stakeholders on implementation and Work with stakeholders on implementation and

promotion aspectspromotion aspects

• Spring 2004 (tentative)Spring 2004 (tentative)– Publish final Code of PracticePublish final Code of Practice

• Winter 2005-2006Winter 2005-2006– Implementation of the CodeImplementation of the Code

• Spring 2009Spring 2009– Review ProgressReview Progress


Consultation – Multi-stakeholder Working Consultation – Multi-stakeholder Working GroupGroup

• Formed in March 2002Formed in March 2002• 80 participants from road authorities, 80 participants from road authorities,

environmental groups, salt producers, federal and environmental groups, salt producers, federal and provincial governments and associationsprovincial governments and associations

• Purpose – Review and comment on materials, Purpose – Review and comment on materials, share information, transfer technology and ideas share information, transfer technology and ideas and develop a common approach to addressing and develop a common approach to addressing environmental issues related to road saltsenvironmental issues related to road salts

• 6 meetings since April 20026 meetings since April 2002


Risk Management InstrumentRisk Management Instrument• From the beginningFrom the beginning

– Did NOT consider banning road saltsDid NOT consider banning road salts– Did consider environmental risks, road safety, Did consider environmental risks, road safety,

economical, technological and other issueseconomical, technological and other issues

• Overall objectiveOverall objective– To ensure environmental protection while To ensure environmental protection while

maintaining road safetymaintaining road safety


Code of PracticeCode of Practice• Main recommendations:Main recommendations:

– Prepare and implement salt management planPrepare and implement salt management plan– Reflect best management practices in SMP, Reflect best management practices in SMP,

particularly in salt storage and application and snow particularly in salt storage and application and snow disposaldisposal

• Nothing in the Code should be construed as a Nothing in the Code should be construed as a recommendation to take action to the detriment recommendation to take action to the detriment of road safetyof road safety


Sarah WellsSarah Wells

Transportation Association of CanadaTransportation Association of Canada


• TAC: national association of transportation TAC: national association of transportation stakeholdersstakeholders– TAC ~ AASHTOTAC ~ AASHTO– Private and public sector members (federal, Private and public sector members (federal,

provincial, municipal agencies)provincial, municipal agencies)– Neutral forumNeutral forum– Promotes the provision of safe, efficient, Promotes the provision of safe, efficient,

effective, sustainable (environmentally and effective, sustainable (environmentally and financially) transportation system and servicesfinancially) transportation system and services


• TAC Involvement in Salt ManagementTAC Involvement in Salt Management– PublishPublish– PilotPilot– ParticipateParticipate– Partner Partner – PreparePrepare


TAC involvement in salt managementTAC involvement in salt management

• PublishPublish Salt Management Guide (1999) Salt Management Guide (1999)– Comprehensive reference guide on road salt Comprehensive reference guide on road salt

management practicesmanagement practices– Primer on Road Salt and Snow and Ice Primer on Road Salt and Snow and Ice

ControlControl– Seven focused “codes” of practiceSeven focused “codes” of practice– Endorsed by Chief Engineers’ Council and Endorsed by Chief Engineers’ Council and

Environment CouncilEnvironment Council



• PilotPilot national road salt management national road salt management working group working group – Monitor Environment Canada assessmentMonitor Environment Canada assessment– Develop action plan to address needs of road Develop action plan to address needs of road

authorities re road salt management authorities re road salt management – Develop framework for salt management Develop framework for salt management

plans plans – Develop communications planDevelop communications plan



• ParticipateParticipate in Environment Canada’s in Environment Canada’s Working Group Working Group – Acted as observerActed as observer– Diverse viewpoints of federal, provincial, Diverse viewpoints of federal, provincial,

municipal membersmunicipal members– Encouraged participation of interested, Encouraged participation of interested,

individual membersindividual members– Monitored expected use of existing TAC Monitored expected use of existing TAC

documents in process documents in process



• PartnerPartner with stakeholders to update with stakeholders to update Syntheses of Best Practices for Salt Syntheses of Best Practices for Salt Management (2003)Management (2003)– Federal, provincial, municipal members, Federal, provincial, municipal members,

Environment Canada and Salt InstituteEnvironment Canada and Salt Institute– Nine new and revised syntheses of best Nine new and revised syntheses of best

practice referenced in EC Code of Practicepractice referenced in EC Code of Practice– See Reading Room at See Reading Room at www.tac-atc.cawww.tac-atc.ca



• PreparePrepare road maintainers, managers for road maintainers, managers for new practicesnew practices– Training availableTraining available

• On-line course on salt management guideOn-line course on salt management guide• On-site courses availableOn-site courses available

– More coming soonMore coming soon• RSMS Learning Guide free on TAC web siteRSMS Learning Guide free on TAC web site• Webinar sessionsWebinar sessions

Provincial PerspectiveProvincial Perspective

Shael GwartzShael GwartzOntario Ministry of TransportationOntario Ministry of Transportation


• 10 Provinces, 2 territories10 Provinces, 2 territories

• 2.1 million tonnes/year used on highways 2.1 million tonnes/year used on highways under provincial controlunder provincial control– 45% of total road salt used in Canada 45% of total road salt used in Canada

• Wide variation in salt use across CanadaWide variation in salt use across Canada

• Duty to balance road safety and Duty to balance road safety and environmental stewardshipenvironmental stewardship


• Focus on: Focus on: – Continuous improvementContinuous improvement– Best Practices rather than salt reduction Best Practices rather than salt reduction

targetstargets– Voluntary rather than regulatory approachVoluntary rather than regulatory approach– Balancing safety and environmental Balancing safety and environmental

protectionprotection– Working collaboratively with othersWorking collaboratively with others

Ontario PerspectiveOntario Perspective

• Salt Management initiativesSalt Management initiatives– Search for alternatives since 1970sSearch for alternatives since 1970s– Initiation of demonstration site (1995) Initiation of demonstration site (1995)

• Development and testing of new materials, Development and testing of new materials, methods and technologies (ongoing)methods and technologies (ongoing)

– Fostering implementation of best Fostering implementation of best management practicesmanagement practices

Ontario PerspectiveOntario Perspective

• Cooperative EffortsCooperative Efforts – Participation on Environmental Resource GroupParticipation on Environmental Resource Group

• (open and transparent information sharing)(open and transparent information sharing)

– TAC Salt Management Guide development (1999)TAC Salt Management Guide development (1999)

– Participation in the TAC and EC Working GroupsParticipation in the TAC and EC Working Groups

– Ontario ministries working groupOntario ministries working group

– Participation in Ontario’s municipal salt working Participation in Ontario’s municipal salt working groupgroup

– Partnerships with municipalities on sharing RWIS Partnerships with municipalities on sharing RWIS datadata

City of Toronto PerspectiveCity of Toronto Perspective

Gary WelshGary WelshCity of TorontoCity of Toronto


• Population Population -- 2.6 Million2.6 Million

• SnowfallSnowfall -- 50 inches/year 50 inches/year

• Salt UsedSalt Used -- 155,000 tons/year155,000 tons/year

• De-Icing EventsDe-Icing Events -- 40 to 50 40 to 50 times/yeartimes/year


Political/Environmental PressuresPolitical/Environmental Pressures• In 2001, Canadian Municipalities concerned with In 2001, Canadian Municipalities concerned with

Environment Canada’s consideration of listing Environment Canada’s consideration of listing road salts under CEPAroad salts under CEPA

• Toronto Councillors suggesting de-icing Toronto Councillors suggesting de-icing methods should changemethods should change

• Environmental groups holding media events Environmental groups holding media events stating the City uses too much saltstating the City uses too much salt


Pro-active versus Re-activePro-active versus Re-active• could wait for Environment Canada to mandate could wait for Environment Canada to mandate

changeschanges• could wait for politicians to dictate changescould wait for politicians to dictate changes• could wait for a possible no salt policy on City could wait for a possible no salt policy on City

roadsroads

ORORbe pro-active to determine strategy instead of be pro-active to determine strategy instead of

being told what to dobeing told what to do


Toronto staff initiativesToronto staff initiatives• involved with Environment Canada and other involved with Environment Canada and other

technical organizations (TAC) to help to technical organizations (TAC) to help to determine how road salts were to be used in the determine how road salts were to be used in the futurefuture

• make Toronto a leader in salt management make Toronto a leader in salt management instead of being perceived as lagging behindinstead of being perceived as lagging behind

• developed a comprehensive salt management developed a comprehensive salt management planplan

• formed a salt management working group with formed a salt management working group with other municipalities and the provinceother municipalities and the province


Salt Management PlanSalt Management Plan• to optimize the use of de-icers on Toronto’s to optimize the use of de-icers on Toronto’s

roads while striving to minimize impacts to the roads while striving to minimize impacts to the environmentenvironment

• objectives for:objectives for:– level of servicelevel of service– equipment technologyequipment technology– materials/storagematerials/storage– trainingtraining– winter operations administrationwinter operations administration


Salt Management Plan - ImplementationSalt Management Plan - Implementation• would be based on TAC’s would be based on TAC’s Salt Management Salt Management

GuideGuide• would require staff to significantly change would require staff to significantly change

methods of operationmethods of operation• would be completed within 8 months would be completed within 8 months

(November 2001)(November 2001)• would need several years to fully meet objectiveswould need several years to fully meet objectives


Salt Management Plan - ResultsSalt Management Plan - Results• reduced salt usage by 15%reduced salt usage by 15%• achieved over $2 Million CDN savingsachieved over $2 Million CDN savings• funding made available for funding made available for

new equipment/storage improvementsnew equipment/storage improvements• new training program developednew training program developed• compliments from politicians, environmental compliments from politicians, environmental

groupsgroups

Salt Industry PerspectiveSalt Industry Perspective

Richard L. Hanneman

Salt Institute


• Expert Panel, 1995Expert Panel, 1995

• EC gets organized, 1995-1997EC gets organized, 1995-1997

• Assessing “road salts” 1997-2000Assessing “road salts” 1997-2000– Scientific process and issues: the battle of the Scientific process and issues: the battle of the

scientistsscientists– Salt as poison: the battle of public relationsSalt as poison: the battle of public relations

• CEPA public consultationCEPA public consultation


(continued)(continued)• The salt industry’s commitment to The salt industry’s commitment to

environmentally-sensitive salt managementenvironmentally-sensitive salt management– Sensible Salting 1972 – presentSensible Salting 1972 – present– Sensible Salting Seminars 1972 – 1998Sensible Salting Seminars 1972 – 1998– Excellence in Storage awards 1988 – presentExcellence in Storage awards 1988 – present– Partnership with National LTAPs 2001–presentPartnership with National LTAPs 2001–present– Developing TAC’s Developing TAC’s Salt Management GuideSalt Management Guide– Stakeholder in EC working group 2001–presentStakeholder in EC working group 2001–present– Training Canadian snowfighters: OGRA, TACTraining Canadian snowfighters: OGRA, TAC

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedEnvironment CanadaEnvironment Canada

• Establish clear goals, process and work planEstablish clear goals, process and work plan

• Outline expectationsOutline expectations

• Describe how input/comments will be usedDescribe how input/comments will be used

• Listen to stakeholdersListen to stakeholders

• Take advantage of existing resources and Take advantage of existing resources and new partnershipsnew partnerships

• Begin with issues that have consensusBegin with issues that have consensus

• Start earlyStart early

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedTransportation Association of CanadaTransportation Association of Canada

• Communicate

• Respect jurisdiction

• Recognize responsibility

• Work together

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedProvincesProvinces

• Collaborate rather than opposeCollaborate rather than oppose– Establish common goals and understand implicationsEstablish common goals and understand implications– Participate in consultative processParticipate in consultative process– Promote understanding of initiatives that address Promote understanding of initiatives that address

concerns of othersconcerns of others– Share information (internally and externally)Share information (internally and externally)

• Proactive rather than reactiveProactive rather than reactive• Coordinate approaches Coordinate approaches • Continuous improvementContinuous improvement• Focus on succeedingFocus on succeeding

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedCity of TorontoCity of Toronto

• A pro-active agency can be influential in A pro-active agency can be influential in overall processoverall process

• Road de-icing operations in many Road de-icing operations in many municipalities need to be reviewed and municipalities need to be reviewed and updated updated

• Sometimes change will only occur if there is Sometimes change will only occur if there is a threat of someone else making decisiona threat of someone else making decision

• There is a great deal to learn from other There is a great deal to learn from other organizations in the various working groupsorganizations in the various working groups

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedCity of TorontoCity of Toronto

(continued)(continued)

• An organization needs a championAn organization needs a champion

• Support needed from senior management, Support needed from senior management, elected officials, and even the mediaelected officials, and even the media

• Road safety does not have to be Road safety does not have to be compromisedcompromised

• Savings can be achievedSavings can be achieved

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedSalt IndustrySalt Industry

• It’s politics, not scienceIt’s politics, not science. Regrettably, the . Regrettably, the process is more political than scientific: don’t be process is more political than scientific: don’t be lulled into thinking science is enoughlulled into thinking science is enough

• Start earlyStart early: We failed to mobilize salt customers, : We failed to mobilize salt customers, convincing them until nearly too late of the threatconvincing them until nearly too late of the threat

• Start with the end in mindStart with the end in mind: in this case, better : in this case, better salt management. Solve the problem first, salt management. Solve the problem first, before the politicsbefore the politics

General DiscussionGeneral Discussion

balancing winter transportation safety needs and environmental priorities: the canadian experience...

Documents

minister of environment

canada gazette

aquatic environment

environment canada sarah

road salts

assessment erg members

risk management instruments

university of iowa slide