Lake Erie North Shore Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

LAKE ERIE NORTH SHORE WATERSHED PLAN
being carried out as required by the MOE and are available for public commenting as
distributed by Region of Niagara. The studies are as follows: Archaeological Impact
Assessment, Natural Resources Impact Assessment, Socio-Economic Impact
Assessment Study, preliminary Engineering Design, and a Financial Analysis (RMN No
Date).
Road Salt
Originating from salt storage and snow disposal sites as well as from runoff, road salts
are an environmental concern because they are known to have an adverse effect on
freshwater ecosystems, soil, vegetation and wildlife (EC 2004a). In April 2004,
Environment Canada produced a Code of Practice for the Environmental Management
of Road Salts. The Code of Practice recommends that all road authorities prepare and
implement salt management plans that incorporate the implementation of best
management practices (BMP) for salt application, salt storage and handling, and snow
disposal. The benefits of improved salt management include:
a reduction in corrosive damage to salt application equipment, vehicles, and
infrastructure such as concrete sidewalks and steps;
a reduction in salt damage to vegetation and surrounding roads and walkways;
reduced salt releases to surrounding waterways; and
an overall, more efficient and effective service resulting in safer roads and sidewalks
for users (EC 2004b).
In 2005, the Regional Municipality of Niagara
undertook a Salt Vulnerability Study
(Ecoplans Ltd), which identified vulnerable
areas from road salt for land use, surface
water groundwater, and natural areas.
The relatively flat topography of Lake Erie
North Shore watershed results in a high to
moderate vulnerability to surface run off,
therefore the entire study area has been
ranked as moderately high for surface water,
wetland and fish habitat vulnerability from
road salt. Land use vulnerability outside of
the wetland areas has been ranked with a predominantly moderate to moderately low
vulnerability. Groundwater vulnerability along the shoreline is high, with inland
vulnerability ranging from moderately high to moderately low.
It is important to note that the Regional Niagara Salt Vulnerability Study only assessed
risk for Regional roads. Municipal roads should also be assessed to better identify salt
vulnerable areas in the watershed.
In Haldimand County, where a road salt study has not yet been prepared, a Salt
Management Plan is being prepared for the assessment of environmentally sensitive
areas and procedures to assist and control the environmental effects of road salts (N.
Mahmood Personal Communication).
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