ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has launched a chloride reduction project to reduce run-off salt that is damaging wildlife. The salt comes from de-icing streets and sidewalks. “Chloride is toxic to our freshwater fish and insects,” said Brooke Asleson, the agency’s chloride reduction coordinator. “It affects their ability to reproduce successfully. It can affect their growth.” Her project is an informational campaign to find balance between safety and damaging environmental effects. The immediate goal: A 30% to70% reduction in salt use. How? By encouraging people to:
> Opt first for shovels and ice scrapers – not chemicals.
> Look carefully at the fine print on de-icing products because an environmentally friendly claim in the big print doesn’t necessarily mean salt-free.