Road Salt Research Symposium
Road salt is a stressor that is impacting the environment and infrastructure. In response, a number of researchers have turned their attention to this topic, assessing waterways, soils, infrastructure, and behaviors of those engaged in salting during snow and ice management. This research symposium is intended to allow those engaged in this type of research to share findings with one another and with others interested in their research, and to provide an opportunity to discuss priority needs for future research related to road salt. January 6 update: Registration remains open only for those joining via Zoom or for those not requiring lunch or a parking permit. Use this link to register to participate in person at the Waterman Memorial Lounge (Rm 338, 85 South Prospect St, Burlington, VT). You must have registered by January 3, 2024 if you need a parking permit or plan to join for lunch.
While primarily an in-person meeting to be held on the University of Vermont campus, those wishing to listen to research presentations can join via Zoom. Zoom registration is available here.
Agenda
12:00 PM Lunch and informal networking among road salt researchers and symposium participants
12:30 PM Welcome and setting the stage for today’s symposium – Kris Stepenuck
12:40 PM Research presentations begin
12:40 – 1:00 PM Long-term chloride trends for Lake Champlain and its tributaries – Matthew C.H. Vaughan
1:00 – 1:20 PM Deicing storage as salt point source – Becky Tharp, Dana Allen
1:20 – 1:40 PM Urbanization-driven stream salinization impacts Champlain Basin benthic macroinvertebrate communities -- Molly Costanza-Robinson, Baker Angstman, Charlie Forbes, Julia Keon, Natalie Montano, Kayley Porter, Ella Roelofs, A.J. Rossbach, Sophie Schuele, Elle Thompson, Liza Toll, and Eric Moody
1:40 – 2:00 PM TMDL monitoring in Vermont Streams – Blaine Hastings
2:00 – 2:20 PM Mapping Vermont's Municipal Salt Storage Facilities with respect to Drinking Water Sources – Dana Allen, Stephanie Hurley
2:20 – 2:40 PM Title TBD, Chris Navitsky, Jim Sutherland
2:40 PM Break
3:00 – 3:20 PM Understanding salt use practices by winter snow and ice management professionals in the Lake Champlain basin – Kris Stepenuck
3:20 – 3:40 PM From research to practice – road salt education in the Adirondacks – Sawyer Bailey
4:00 PM Dialogue to identify gaps in knowledge and research priorities related to road salt in the next 3-5 years
4:50 PM Summary of today’s presentations and identified priorities
5:00 PM Adjourn
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.