Last spring, the S.A.V.E. Lake George Partnership called for road salt reductions after it was learned that the lake’s salt levels have tripled over the last generation. The inaugural Salt Summit was held this week to discuss the matter, and it looks like the region will be testing out a new snow removal technology this winter.
This new technology is called a “live edge” plow. It uses spring-loaded plates to adjust to unevenness in the road, and therefore removes more snow than traditional plows. According to a statement from S.A.V.E. Lake George, the live edge plows can “reduce the amount of road salt applied by as much as 40%.”
Live edge plow manufacturer Metal Pless, Inc. and equipment dealer Team Eagle have provided two of the plows to the Village of Lake George and the Town of Hague free of charge for use this winter. These will be the first such plows used in New York State.
“Like acid rain, road salt threatens to degrade the health of forests and waterways throughout our region and beyond,” said Lake George Village Mayor Robert Blais in a statement from S.A.V.E. Lake George. “Unlike acid rain…the salt problem is being created, and can be solved, here and now.”
Sources:
- S.A.V.E. Lake George: First Annual Salt Summit to Focus on Practical and Proven Measures to “Reduce the Use” of Road Salt – Keeping Roadways Safe While Protecting the Health of Lake George
- Times Union: Taking aim at a white scourge in the Adirondacks
