Whereas chloride concentrations measured in Lake Simcoe have steadily increased since the 1970’s and, if unchecked, could exceed the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Chronic Guideline by approximately 2069; and
Whereas chloride concentrations in urban tributaries are routinely above that Chronic Guideline, occasionally above the Acute Guideline and have recently exceeded the concentration of ocean water in one urban tributary, and continue to increase everywhere due to the use of winter salt on roads and parking lots; and
Whereas these concentrations are lethal to some species of fish and benthic invertebrates, and decreasing the amount of winter salt use throughout the watershed is critical to the near-term health of urban tributaries and long-term health of Lake Simcoe; and
Whereas a barrier to the reduction of salt application for parking lots and walkways is the scarcity of trained and certified winter maintenance contractors; and
Whereas a more substantial barrier to the reduction of salt application for parking lots and walkways is concern over liability; and
Whereas businesses in the winter maintenance sector are seeing insurance and legal costs escalate to the point where many have failed, and some property owners have been unable to find winter maintenance contractors; and
Whereas the limited liability framework in practice in New Hampshire is based on the Canadian Smart About Salt guidelines and has been successfully defended in the higher courts.
Therefore, Be it Resolved That the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors requests that the Attorney General of Ontario and the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks establish and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the Province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impacts of salt pollution; and
Further That the Board of Directors requests that technical standards and a Provincial regulatory framework be established that limits liability for winter maintenance contractors following best practices to ensure public safety, business sustainability, and environmental protection; and
Further That municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed lead by example by ensuring staff and/or winter maintenance contractors that maintain municipal parking lots obtain certification through the Smart About Salt program as a condition of working for the municipality; and
Further That this resolution be circulated to Lake Simcoe watershed municipalities and Lake Simcoe watershed members of Provincial Parliament; and
Further That municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed implement best management practices for municipal roads management; and
Further That municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed collaborate with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority on an outreach campaign to raise awareness of this issue, manage expectations from the public regarding salt usage, and inspire positive action.